What the building regulations cover
Building Regulations cover aspects associated with buildings such as -
- structural safety
- fire safety
- weather and damp protection
- sound insulation
- ventilation
- hygiene
- drainage
- combustion appliances
- stairs and ramps
- thermal performance
- access for people with disabilities
- glazing safety
- electrical safety in dwellings
Building regulations approval
If you are intending to erect a new building, extend an existing building or make internal or external alterations, you are should check with us to see if you require building regulations approval.
In many cases building work will require planning permission. You can get advice on this from our development control department which is on the second floor of Kingston House, Bond Street, Hull, or call 01482 300 300.
Apply online for building regulations (link opens in a new window)
Examples of building work that definitely do require building regulation approval are -
- new houses, flats, maisonettes, offices, shops, factories, schools, hotels, for example
- conversions of buildings to houses, flats and maisonettes, hotels, shops
- sub-division of existing houses and flats leading to either an increase or decrease of living units
- loft conversions (irrespective of the intended use)
- attached garages
- some detached garages
- all detached garages over 30m² in internal floor area
- extensions for use as kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms for example
- replacement of windows
- conservatories over 30m² in internal floor area
- conservatories of any size that are not separated from the main building
- internal structural and layout alterations
- forming new door and window openings
- underpinning of existing buildings
- creation of a new bathroom within an existing house
- alterations to underground drainage
- some modifications to heating and hot water systems
- renovation or renewal of thermal elements
- changing the energy status of a building
- re-covering existing roofs
Examples of building work that definitely do not require building regulations approval are -
- barbed wire
- some conservatories*
- detached garages with internal floor areas less than 15m² *
- some detached garages with internal floor areas of more than 15m² but less than 30m² *
- detached garden sheds with internal floor areas less than 15m² *
- detached greenhouses with internal floor areas less than 15m² *
- footpaths
- garden fences
- garden ponds *
- garden walls
- gates
- house and street numbering and naming
- some porches *
- roads
- replacement doors with less than 50 per cent glazing
- signs
- trees
*Note - electrical installations carried out in connection with exempt building work are subject to Part P of the building regulations. It is therefore advisable to ensure that all electrical work carried out is undertaken by a competent person registered with an electrical self-certification scheme authorised by the Secretary of State. If the electrical installation work is not carried out under a self-certification scheme the person responsible for the work may be required to make a Building Regulations application.
These lists should not be considered exhaustive. If the building work you propose is not listed contact us direct for advice.
Applying for approval
There are two methods of applying for building regulations approval. These are -
- full plans approval submission
- building notice application
Full plans approval
This method involves submitting information to the council to allow it to ensure that work complies with building regulations. This information includes -
- fully detailed plans
- specifications
- calculations
- other detailed supporting information
The full plans application form.
Building notice application
The building notice method does not normally involve submitting detailed plans. It is more suitable for small building works. In some cases though it is necessary to provide some plans and detail to allow the council to carry out the required checks. This type of approval is less formal. But it is important that the builder works closely with their appointed building control officer. This is to reduce the chance of any work being carried out that does not comply with the regulations
The building notice application form.
Regularisation
When building work has been carried out without the above procedures being followed, property owners should apply for a Regularisation Certificate. Before a certificate is issued, the council must be reasonably satisfied that -
- the works conform to the building regulations
- there is no risk to the health and safety of people in or around the property
Further information
For more information on the building regulations and general advice on how they apply to various types of common building work, please visit the Planning Portal website (link opens in a new window).
Demolition and dangerous structures
All enquiries relating to building demolition and dangerous structures should be directed to the structural engineering section on (01482) 300 300 or for dangerous strucuters Civic One can also be contacted if it is out of hours on (01482) 616720 (24 hour line).
