Exemptions

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 (i.e. Protection against impact)
- They are single storey
- They are built at ground level
Carports are exempt from the Regulations provided that they have a floor area less than 30m²and are open on at least two sides
Small detached buildings including garages, garden sheds, stores and workshops are exempt from the Regulations, provided that :
- They are a detached single storey building with a floor area of 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 ground adjacent to a building and associated with its use, normally in the same ownership as the building) OR
- The building is constructed substantially of non-combustible material
Detached buildings not normally used by people e.g. Buildings containing fixed plant or machinery intermittently used by people only for purposes of maintenance or inspection
Agricultural buildings and greenhouses principally used for the keeping of animals or plants, but not for retailing, packing or exhibiting. No part of the building is to be used as a dwelling. This is subject to distance restrictions from any building containing sleeping accommodations and provision of fire exits in some circumstances
Temporary buildings which will not remain on site for periods in excess of 28 days
Ancillary buildings such as site sales office and construction site offices which are only used during construction work and do not contain sleeping accommodation