From 21 October 2026, many homes in England can have an EV charge point fitted without a planning application, even where the charger is not next to a driveway or parking space. A new planning order extends permitted development to wall-mounted and pedestal chargers in other parts of the curtilage of a house or block of flats, within set limits on height, numbers and location. For electricians, that means more customers who can say yes to an install, and a good reason to make sure Google shows you for “EV charger installation” in the areas you cover.
This is a plain-English summary of the official text, read on 21 October 2026, not legal advice. If a job involves a listed building, a conservation area or a block of flats, check with the local planning authority before you quote.
What changed on 21 October 2026?
The change comes from The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2026 (SI 2026/1056). It was made on 25 September 2026, laid before Parliament on 30 September and came into force on 21 October 2026.
It amends the permitted development rules for England. Before, the right for a charge point at a home covered an area lawfully used for off-street parking. The order adds a second right: any other area within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or block of flats, within the limits below.
Where can a wall-mounted charger go now?
Wall-mounted chargers fall under Class D of Part 2 of the permitted development rules. Under the amended text:
- Height: the outlet must not be installed more than 1.6 metres above ground level.
- Numbers (new right only): under the new “other area” right, the work is not permitted if it would mean more than one outlet within the curtilage of the house or block of flats.
- Conservation areas (new right only): the new “other area” right does not apply within a conservation area.
- Walls next to a highway: where the wall immediately adjoins a highway, the outlet must not stick out more than 0.2 metres from the wall, and it must not leave less than 1.5 metres’ width of footway.
- Cables across a footway: if there is a footway between the outlet and the car, the charging cable must cross it using an authorised cross-pavement solution whenever it is in use.
“Authorised” means installed by, on behalf of, or with the authorisation of the highway authority, normally the local council.
What about pedestal or upstand chargers?
Freestanding chargers (upstands) fall under Class E, which is extended in the same way. The limits for homes are:
- Height: 1.6 metres, measured from the surface. The higher 2.7 metre limit applies only in non-domestic off-street parking areas.
- Conservation areas: the new domestic right does not apply within a conservation area.
- Cables across a footway: the same authorised cross-pavement condition applies.
Want to know where your business shows on Google when someone searches for an EV charger installer?
We will search for your trade in your area, show you what a customer sees and tell you the three things we would fix first. It is free, with no obligation.
Can the charging cable cross the pavement?
A new Class F covers cross-pavement solutions: cable channels set into the pavement so a cable can cross safely from a home to a parked car.
- They must be installed by, on behalf of, or with the authorisation of a highway authority.
- The right does not apply within a site designated as a scheduled monument, within the curtilage of a listed building, or within a conservation area.
- Once a channel is no longer needed, it must be removed and the pavement restored to its earlier condition as soon as reasonably practicable.
If a customer without a driveway asks for a kerbside setup, point them to their council first.
What stays the same?
- It is England only. Do not quote it to customers in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
- Some properties still need a check. Conservation areas are excluded from the new rights, and listed buildings and flats can raise their own questions.
- Planning is only one part of the job. The order changes planning rules. It does not change the wiring standards, building regulations or the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 you already work to.
There is also a transitional rule. If work was permitted under the old Class D or Class E wording and the new wording would stop it, it can still be carried out under the old rules until the end of 20 October 2027.
What should electricians do with their Google presence now?
More homes that can have a charger without a planning application means more people searching for someone to fit one. The calls go to electricians Google can clearly match to the job and the area.
1. Add EV charger installation to your Business Profile services
Google’s help page on managing services lets you pick suggested services for your business type or add a custom service if yours is not listed. Use a plain name such as “EV charger installation”, and add a short description of what you fit and where. Keep prices and phone numbers out of the service name, as Google rejects those. Our Google Business Profile guide for tradesmen covers the rest of the profile.
2. Name the areas you actually cover
Google’s service areas help page says you can set up to 20 service areas by town, postcode or district, not as a radius, and that your overall area should stay within about two hours’ drive of your base. List the towns you really want EV work from.
3. Give EV installs their own page on your website
A single “electrical services” page rarely ranks for a specific job. A page about EV charger installation that answers the questions customers now ask (do I need planning, can the cable cross the pavement) gives Google something to match. Link to the official order rather than paraphrasing the law.
4. Separate EV work in your paid search
If you run Google Ads, EV installs deserve their own campaign or ad group, with their own budget and their own measure of cost per booked job, so they are not lumped in with fault-finding and rewires. See how we set that up on our Google Ads for electricians page, and how Google Local Services Ads for electricians can sit alongside it.
5. Check what customers see first
Search for “EV charger installer” plus your town on your phone and look at what appears before you: map results, photos, and whether your profile mentions EV work at all. Our article on why electricians are falling behind on Google covers the usual gaps.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for an EV charger in England?
For many homes, no. Since 21 October 2026, permitted development covers wall-mounted and pedestal chargers within the curtilage of a house or block of flats, within the limits on height, numbers, conservation areas and highways set out in SI 2026/1056. If the property is in a conservation area or is a listed building, check with the local planning authority.
Can a customer have two chargers under the new rules?
Under the new “other area” right for wall-mounted chargers, the work is not permitted if it would result in more than one outlet within the curtilage of the house or block of flats. If a customer wants more than one, check with the council before quoting.
Can a homeowner run a cable across the pavement?
Only through an authorised cross-pavement solution, approved or installed by the highway authority, normally the local council.
Want more EV charger enquiries from Google?
We will search for your trade in your area, show you what a customer sees and tell you the three things we would fix first. It is free, with no obligation.
If you would rather talk it through, get in touch with Unavoidable Marketing. We help UK trades and local service businesses with Google Ads, Local Services Ads and SEO, on a flat monthly fee quoted after a free call, and our marketing for electricians page explains how.
Let’s make you Unavoidable.
About the author: Andrew Heppinstall is the founder of Unavoidable Marketing, a Leeds agency that helps UK trades and local service businesses win work through Google Local Services Ads, SEO and paid search. His article “What makes Google ads effective?” appeared on the Business Matters page of PHAM News in September 2026.
Sources: SI 2026/1056 on legislation.gov.uk (articles 4, 5, 7 and 10), Google Business Profile Help (managing services; service areas), all read 21 October 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice.