When conservatories may be exempt from building regulations

Building regulations will generally apply if you want to build an extension to your home, however conservatories are normally exempt from building regulations when:

• they are built at ground level and are less than 30 square metres in floor area
• the conservatory is separated from the house by external quality walls, doors or windows
• any heating system is independent from that serving the main house with separate temperature and on/off controls
• at least half of the new wall and three quarters of the roof is either glazed or translucent material
• any glazing to "critical areas" must have toughened or laminated safety glass (complying with Part N)
• an escape window serving a room in the roof/loft conversion is not above the conservatory
• new electrical circuits or works are carried out by a Part P approved electrician

Helpful video from LABC

There is also a helpful LABC video below and more from LABC YouTube homepage and also LABC YouTube case studies.

Evidence of Exempt status for your conservatory when selling your property - Please download and complete the Exemption application form (PDF, 85KB) and return to us with a fee of £28 (inc VAT).