New building permit regulations 2026 – what applies to greenhouses and orangeries?

From 1 January 2026, new regulations will apply to ancillary buildings. For greenhouses and orangeries, this may mean greater freedom, but also more local assessments. Sometimes a building permit is required, sometimes not.

The new rules make it easier to build in many cases, but it is still important to understand what applies to your own property.

More generous framework – but interpretation may vary

The new regulations allow for larger areas for accessory buildings that do not require a building permit. In general, the following applies:

• up to 30 sq m without building permit within detailed plan
• up to 50 sq m outside the detailed plan

Several complementary buildings can also be combined within the total area, and certain notification requirements have been simplified.
In practice, this means that more properties can now accommodate a greenhouse or orangery without a building permit or with a simpler notification.
At the same time, the greater freedoms mean that the municipalities' interpretations sometimes differ. The assessment is influenced by, among other things:

• Detailed plan provisions
• Cultural and historical values ​​or beach protection
• Distance to plot boundary
• Ridge height and building volume
  
• Whether the greenhouse is detached or integrated with the residential building

Therefore, it is often wise to investigate early on what conditions apply to your particular plot of land.

Building permits for greenhouses and other ancillary buildings – issues that often determine

When municipalities assess a greenhouse or orangery, they look not only at the size, but also at how the building relates to the property as a whole. Some common questions are:

• Is the property located within a detailed plan?
• How close to the plot boundary is the greenhouse placed?
  
• Are there cultural and historical regulations in the area?
  
• Does beach protection apply?
• Is the greenhouse freestanding or integrated with the house?

Small changes in location or design can sometimes make a big difference in the building permit process.

Part of the property's architecture

A greenhouse is rarely an isolated building. It becomes part of both the architecture of the property and the spatiality of the garden.
Our architects are involved in our projects from the start. Each greenhouse is adapted to the specific conditions of the site, the movement of light throughout the day, differences in level, sight lines and the relationship to the residential building and garden.
Over the past 25 years, we have designed and built over 750 greenhouses and orangeries around Sweden, Norway and Denmark. From private gardens to public environments such as Rosendal Garden on Djurgården in Stockholm, Zeta Garden, Vandalorum Art and Design Museum in Värnamo and Kunskapsparken in Lund.

This experience allows us to see early on which solutions work both architecturally and in dialogue with the municipality.

We help throughout the entire building permit process

The issue of building permits is a natural part of our projects. Our architects help to:

• Review the site's conditions in dialogue with you
• Produce building permit drawings
  
• Manage notification or building permit application
  
• Engage in dialogue with the municipality when necessary
  
• Investigate issues such as beach protection
  

The goal is to create a clear and safe process from initial idea to finished greenhouse.

Craftsmanship and materials – made in our carpentry workshop in Sörmland

Once the building permit is granted, the next part of the process begins.
Our greenhouses are manufactured in our own carpentry workshop in Sörmland, where each project is built one at a time.
We work with late-growth pine of the highest quality. Every cut, drill hole and paint application is done by hand by our craftsmen. We paint our greenhouses in three layers with linseed oil paint in the color of your choice.

The combination of architecture, material knowledge and craftsmanship makes each greenhouse unique to its location.

This is how the process goes

A greenhouse project with us usually follows a few clear steps:

1. Initial dialogue about your wishes and conditions
   
2. Meeting with architect (on site or via online meeting)
3. Review of the site's conditions and building permit issues
   
4. Drawings and any building permit documents
   
5. Coordination meeting with you and your contractor
6. Manufacturing and painting in our own carpentry workshop in Sörmland
7. Delivery and construction

In this way, we can ensure that the greenhouse functions architecturally, practically and legally.

For those who dream of an exclusive greenhouse or orangery

Because each greenhouse is handmade in our carpentry workshop, we can only accept a limited number of projects each year.
At the time of writing, we still have the capacity to complete and assemble greenhouses for new customers during the year.
If you are considering a greenhouse or orangery, you are most welcome to contact us. If it is appropriate to continue the dialogue, we will set up a meeting with one of our
architects.

During the meeting we will go over:

• How you want to use your greenhouse or orangery
  
• The design of the surrounding houses
• The conditions of the plot
  
• Building permit issues and regulations
  
• Next step in the process
  

You are also welcome to take a look at our reference projects here on the site to see how different greenhouses and orangeries have been designed for their locations.

Please send us an inquiry – and we'll start there.