When is building regulation approval required?

Work that doesn't require building regulation approval

Some building work is exempt under the building regulations, so you won't need building regulation approval.

These include:

  • Work that's completed by a member of a competent person scheme. This includes:
    • Electrical works or installations certified by NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, BSI, BESCA, OFTEC or Certsure.
    • Gas installations certified by Gas Safe.
    • Gas, wood and oil burning stoves certified by HETAS, OFTEC, BESCA, APHC, Benchmark, Certsure or NAPIT.
    • Heating and hot water systems certified by APHC, BESCA, HETAS, Benchmark, Certsure or NAPIT.
    • Replacement windows and doors certified by FENSA, CERTASS, BM TRADA, BSI or VEKA.
    • Replacement of roof coverings certified by NFRC Competent Person Scheme.
    • Repairing more than 25 per cent of roof coverings certified by NFRC Competent Person Scheme.
  • Exempt attached buildings - an extension at ground-floor level with a floor area of 30m2 or less. This can be:
    • A covered yard or covered way.
    • A carport open on at least 2 sides.
    • A conservatory where the walls and roof are substantially transparent. This can include glazed walls. Separation much be maintained between the conservatory and the rest of the living accommodation.
    • A porch that doesn't contain a water closet or toilet. Separation much be maintained between the porch and the rest of the living accommodation.
    • A veranda or loggia.
  • A detached garage, shed or outbuilding, as long as:
    • The building is single-storey.
    • The building has a floor area of 30m2 or less.
    • The building doesn't contain sleeping accommodations.
    • No part of the building is less than 1m from any boundary, or the building is mainly constructed of non-combustible material.
  • A greenhouse that isn't used for retail or exhibiting.
  • An agricultural building, including those used for horticultural, fruit growing, the growing of plants for seed, or fish farming, as long as:
    • It's not used for packing or exhibition.
    • No part of the building is used as a dwelling.
    • No part of the building is less than one and a half times the height from any part of a building that contains sleeping accommodation.
    • The building is provided with a fire exit no more than 30 metres from any point within the building.
  • A temporary building, if it's intended to remain where it's erected for less than 28 days.

Building regulation related content