Exempt buildings and work

Certain minor works and small buildings are exempt from the Building Regulations.

Conservatories and porches are exempt from the regulations provided that

• They have a floor area less than 30m²

• The glazing complies with Part N of the Regulations (ie. Protection against impact)

• They are single storey

• They are built at ground level

The definition of a conservatory is considered to be a single storey part of a building at ground floor level, where the roof and walls are substantially glazed with a translucent or transparent material, intended for growing plants, but often used as occasional living space. A conservatory has not less than three-quarters of the area of the roof and not less than one-half of its external walls made of translucent or transparent material.

The definition of a porch is a single storey extension, used primarily as a wind shelter, but also used for the storage of coats, shoes, umbrellas and the like, attached to an existing building at ground level and fixed over an access door.

Conservatories and porches must be separated from the habitable parts of the building by suitable windows, doors or walls.

Carports are exempt from the Regulations provided they have a floor area less than 30m² and that they are open on at least two sides.

Small detached buildings including garages, garden sheds, stores and workshops are exempt from the Regulations providing

• They are a detached single storey building with a floor area less than 30m²

• They contain no sleeping accommodation.

• No point of the building is closer than 1 metre to the boundary or its curtilage

• The building is constructed substantially of non combustible material

Detached buildings (see Annex A of attached booklet) not normally used by people eg. Buildings containing fixed plant or machinery intermittently used by people only for purposes of maintenance or inspection but subject to minimum distances from other buildings or their boundaries where people normally go.

Agricultural buildings and greenhouses principally for the keeping of animals or plant but must not be used for retailing, packing or exhibiting. No part of building is to be used as a dwelling. Subject to distance restrictions from any building containing sleeping accommodations and provision of fire exits in some circumstances.

Temporary buildings (see Annex A of attached booklet) which will not remain on site for periods in excess of 28 days.

Ancillary buildings (see Annex A of attached booklet) such as site sales office, construction site offices, only to be used during construction work and must not contain sleeping accommodation.