Building Regulations Explanatory Booklet

The Building Regulations Explanatory booklet provides an introduction to the Building Regulations in England and Wales and is intended for anyone proposing to carry out building projects. It is not a statement of the law but is intended to help you understand the system. The booklet was fully revised in May 2004, with minor amendments in February 2005 to encompass the new Part P (Electrical Safety).

It does not include amendments made by Building Regulations amedments in 2006 and 2007 (see Circulars 03/2006, 05/2005 and 02/2007 on the Communities and Local Government (CLG) web site). If you have a question about your building work, you should contact your local Building Control Body.

Much of the content of the Explanatory Booklet is reproduced throughout the various sections of this website.  You can also download the whole document here (PDF 1.16 Mb).

The booklet deals only with the Building Regulations. Please note that the work which your project involves may be subject to other statutory requirements such as planning permission, fire precautions, water regulations, licensing/registration and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

Please see the disclaimer which applies to all content in this section.