Glossary
Building Regulations
The Building Regulations set minimum technical standards for design and construction, covering structure, fire safety, moisture, ventilation, energy, acoustics, access and more. Most structural and thermal work on a home needs Building Regulations approval as well as any planning consent.
Guidance is published as Approved Documents in England.
Scotland uses Building Standards Technical Handbooks. Wales has its own Approved Documents. Northern Ireland has separate Technical Booklets.
Official source: Building Regulations (GOV.UK). Checked 27 October 2026.