What are building regulations and when do I need approval?

For homeowners and builders in England and Wales planning building work.

Applies to: England, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Building regulations are rules that make sure building work is safe and meets set standards.

They cover new buildings and extensions, and many alterations like new windows, bathrooms, heating and fuse boxes.
You get approval from a council building control team or a registered building control approver.
If you use a tradesperson in a competent person scheme, you do not need to apply yourself.
Most repairs, and replacing baths, toilets and basins, do not need approval.
Approval is separate from planning permission, and you might need both.

Different in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own building standards systems.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Separate from planning permission
3 ways to apply
Full plans decision within 5 weeks
Scotland and NI have own systems

What building regulations are

Building regulations are legal standards for building work. They are set out in the Building Regulations 2010. They apply to new buildings, extensions and many changes to existing homes.

They are not the same as planning permission. You might need both.

Work that usually needs approval

building a new home or an extension
replacing a fuse box and the electrics connected to it
putting in a bathroom that needs new plumbing
changing electrics near a bath or shower
fitting fixed air conditioning
replacing windows and doors
replacing roof coverings
putting in or replacing a heating system, or adding radiators

If your project is not listed, check with a building control body.

Work that usually does not need approval

most repairs, replacements and maintenance (but not heating systems, oil tanks, fuse boxes or glazing units)
new power or lighting points, or changes to circuits (except around baths and showers)
replacing baths, toilets, basins and sinks
insulation in roof spaces or under timber floors
gutters and downpipes
external doors where less than half the door is glazed

Ways to get approval

Route	Best for	What happens
Full plans	Most projects	Decision usually within 5 weeks (or 2 months if you agree)
Building notice	Smaller jobs	Work can start 2 days after you submit
Regularisation	Work already done without approval	Council only, for work after 11 November 1985

You can apply to your council's building control team or a registered building control approver. Fees vary by job. Some work for disabled people may not be charged.

Competent person schemes

Some tradespeople, such as some electricians, are registered with a competent person scheme. They can sign off their own work, so you do not apply yourself. You should get a certificate within 8 weeks of the work finishing.

After the work

With full plans, you normally get a completion certificate within 8 weeks of the work finishing, if it complies. Keep it safe. You may need it when you sell your home.

If you do not get approval

You could be prosecuted and fined, and made to pay to put the work right. You also will not have the certificates you may need to sell your home.

Higher-risk buildings

In England, a building is "higher-risk" if it is at least 7 storeys or 18 metres high and has at least 2 homes, or is a hospital or care home. Work on these needs approval from the Building Safety Regulator before it starts.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

This guide covers England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own building standards systems.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for building regulations approval

Common questions

Do I need building regulations approval to replace windows?

Yes, replacing windows and doors is work that needs approval, unless a competent person scheme installer does it.

What if work was done without approval?

You can ask the council for a regularisation certificate for work done after 11 November 1985.

How long does a full plans decision take?

Usually within 5 weeks, or 2 months if you agree.

Official sources

1.Building regulations approvalwww.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval
2.Building regulations: how to applywww.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval/how-to-apply
3.When you do not need approvalwww.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval/when-you-dont-need-approval
4.Use a competent person schemewww.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval/use-a-competent-person-scheme

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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