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Class J: Industrial and warehouse hard surfaces
Class J permits the provision or replacement of a hard surface within the curtilage of an industrial building or warehouse, where the surface is used for the undertaking concerned. Unlike Classes E and N, Class J does not contain a 50 square metre area cap. The right is not available within the curtilage of a listed building.
Where there is a risk of groundwater contamination, the hard surface must not be porous. In all other cases it must either be porous, or run-off must be directed to a permeable or porous area or surface within the curtilage. Class J has no prior approval procedure.
For other hard surfaces: If you have a residential property, please see Class F of Part 1; For schools, universities or hospitals see Class N of this part; For commercial properties, pubs and takeaways see Class E of this part.
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Industrial hard surface legislation
Class J – hard surfaces for industrial and warehouse premises
Permitted development
J. Development consisting of—
(a) the provision of a hard surface within the curtilage of an industrial building or warehouse to be used for the purpose of the undertaking concerned; or
(b) the replacement in whole or in part of such a surface.
Development not permitted
J.1 Development is not permitted by Class J if the development would be within the curtilage of a listed building.
Conditions
J.2 Development is permitted by Class J subject to the following conditions—
(a) where there is a risk of groundwater contamination the hard surface must not be made of porous materials; and
(b) in all other cases, either—
(i) the hard surface is made of porous materials, or
(ii) provision is made to direct run-off water from the hard surface to a permeable or porous area or surface within the curtilage of the industrial building or warehouse.
Current legislation: Part 7 of Schedule 2 on legislation.gov.uk
Industrial hard surface Page Updated: 23rd September 2026