Garden rooms with a canopy or covered seating area

Overhangs, canopies and covered decks

• Roof overhang: the roof extends 30 to 60 cm past the front. Shades high summer sun and keeps rain off the doors.
• Canopy: a deeper overhang, often a metre or more, with or without posts.
• Covered deck or veranda: a roofed outdoor area beside the room, with decking or paving underneath.

How they count for planning

The garden room exemption limits the total area of garden structures to 30 m². A covered deck with posts is a structure, and councils may include it. A modest overhang is less likely to matter, but there's no fixed rule.

The canopy is part of the roof, so it must stay within the height limit of 3 m, or 4 m with a tiled or slated pitched roof.

Build and cost

• A canopy is usually designed in with the roof, which is cheaper and neater than adding one later.
• Deep canopies need posts or a stronger roof structure.
• Ask how rain from the canopy is drained, and add lighting and a socket outside if you'll use the space in the evening.