Exempt building work

Some minor works are exempt from Building Regulations. Examples include:

• Carports
• Conservatories
• Covered yards or covered ways
• Extensions or alterations to an existing exempt building
• Porches
• Small detached buildings which contain no sleeping accommodation

If you are considering carrying out work, or extending your home, then you should check whether the proposed work is exempt. We recommend that you seek professional advice on the design and construction at an early stage.

Please note that planning permission may still be required, even if Building Regulations approval is not.

Do I need planning permission?

Before proceeding, it is necessary to notify both Building Control and Planning with written details and sketches of your proposals. They will then confirm if the work is exempt and you could keep that with the details of your property for future reference, for example in the event of proof being required upon the sale of your property.You can contact us using the details on the right hand side of this page.

See below to download an exempt work query form and a guide to exempt buildings.