What building works are exempt?   

It may be necessary before proceeding to contact the Local Authority (both Building Control and Planning Services) with details of your proposals. They will then confirm if the work is exempt. Some types of domestic work are exempt from the requirements of the Building Regulations.

These include:

Detached buildings

A detached single storey building, having a floor area not exceeding 30m2, which contains no sleeping accommodation and is a building:

no point of which is less than 1 metre from the boundary of its curtilage; or

which is constructed substantially of non-combustible material

e.g. a detached garage.

A detached building, having a floor area not exceeding 15m2, which contains no sleeping accommodation e.g. a greenhouse/garden shed.

Extensions

The extension of a building by the addition at ground level of:

A conservatory (which must have a transparant or translucent roof and be separated from the main dwelling), porch, covered yard or covered way; or

A carport open on at least two sides where the floor area does not exceed 30m2.

In the case of a porch or conservatory any glazing should meet the requirements of the Building Regulations. (i.e. glazing in most doors and adjacent windows and in windows with a cill level less than 800mm above floor level should be in a safety glass).

Please note however, from the 31st December 2004, fixed domestic electrical installations in the above exempt buildings and work, where the electrical supply is shared with the dwelling house or flat, are controllable under Building Regulations.  Either the work can be self-certified by an electrician registered with one of the self-certified competent person schemes for domestic electrical installations or application (either Full Plan or Building Notice) must be made to the local authority with the relevant charge.  Where work is dealt with by a local authority, an electrical installation and test certificate signed by a competent person will be required.

Further information concerning these points can be obtained by contacting your Local Building Control Office. Please refer to the Local Office search facility.

Even though your proposals may be exempt from the Building Regulations you may still require Planning Permission. This has to be applied for separately and advice can be obtained from your Local Building Control Office as to the appropriate contacts.