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Do I need planning permission for a flue or chimney?

A chimney or flue serving a house is generally exempted development, subject to a limit on how far it projects above the roof and restrictions where it would be on a front elevation facing a road, a protected structure or in an ACA.

The exemption exists for functional appliance flues. Height above the roof is limited, and the visual impact on a front elevation in a sensitive area can remove the exemption.

Part J of the building regulations governs the technical requirements — flue termination position relative to openings and boundaries, hearth construction, and air supply for the appliance.

Technical points

  • Termination height relative to the ridge and nearby openings
  • Correct flue liner class for the appliance and fuel
  • Combustion air supply to the room
  • Carbon monoxide alarm in the room with the appliance

Sources

Last reviewed 28 August 2026. General information only — not legal or planning advice.

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