Building Regulations for agricultural buildings
Most farm buildings in England and Wales are exempt from the Building Regulations under Schedule 2, Class VI of the Building Regulations 2010 — but only when three conditions are met.
Check my building for freeThe exemption (Class VI)
A building used for agriculture (or mainly for keeping animals) is exempt when:
- No part is used as a dwelling — no flat, bedroom or living space.
- No point is closer than 1.5 × its own height to any building with sleeping accommodation. A 7 m high barn must be 10.5 m from the farmhouse, a caravan or a holiday let.
- There is a fire exit within 30 m of every point inside.
It is not exempt if its main purpose is retailing, packing or exhibiting — a farm shop or packhouse needs Building Regulations approval.
What still applies
- Electrical work should be done to BS 7671 by a competent electrician.
- Structural design: the frame supplier's engineer designs the steelwork and foundations for your site's wind and snow loads (Eurocodes, BS EN 1090 fabrication).
- CDM 2015: as the client you must appoint competent contractors; fragile roof sheets and rooflights are a major cause of falls.
- SSAFO: slurry stores and silage clamps must meet the regulations and be notified to the Environment Agency.
Check yours automatically
Auto Shed Plans checks the exemption for your building: it measures the furthest point from a door or open side, and the distance to mapped houses. It also draws a frame cross-section and foundation layout and lists the quantities — concrete, sheets, rooflights, purlins and gutters — so you can get prices.
Open the free toolA guide only. Member and foundation sizes are indicative. The building supplier's engineer must design the real structure; ask Building Control if you are unsure whether the exemption applies.