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About laws pertaining to construction, development, etc.

 Laws related to construction, development, etc. include the Building Standards Law, the City Planning Law, and the Regulation Law on Residential Land Development. These laws set standards to protect citizens' lives, health, property and harmonize the city. If you do not adhere to these standards, it will become a violation building or violation site, which may have a significant impact on the life, health, and property of users and third parties, or may cause neighborhood trouble. Therefore, we ask that you comply with the laws and regulations and cooperate in preventing violations. If you have any questions, please contact an expert. 

Last Updated May 12, 2023

About Building Standard Law

The  Building Standards Law stipulates the minimum standards for building sites, structures, equipment and uses.

Figures showing structural safety, fire prevention and evacuation safety and environmental hygiene
Left figure: Structure safety, medium figure: Safety of fire and evacuation, right figure: Environmental hygiene

Protecting the safety and environment of buildings
Safety of structureSafety of fire and evacuationEnvironmental hygiene
This is the standard for building buildings that are resistant to earthquakes. Even a small extension has to follow the standards.This is a standard for building fire-resistant buildings. You must prevent burning and collapse so that you can evacuate safely.It is a standard for ensuring a comfortable indoor environment and living healthy. The size of the window and the height of the ceiling are determined.

Figures showing roads and sites, use of buildings, height and area of buildings
Left figure: Roads and Sites, Medium Figures: Use of the building, right figure: Height and area of buildings

Protecting the safety and environment of the city
Roads and SitesUse of buildingsHeight and area of buildings
It is a standard for evacuation from buildings, comfortable traffic and firefighting activities. The site must be in contact with a road at least 4 meters wide. (※1)This is a standard for protecting the characteristics of the region. The use and scale of the building are determined for each region.

It is a standard for protecting the environment such as sunshine and ventilation to the neighborhood. The height and area of buildings are determined for each area.


※If the width of the road in contact with 1 site is less than 4 meters, the building and gate wall must be retreated.

About procedure of building

 According to the Building Standards Law, when building a building (new construction, extension, renovation, etc.) or changing the use to confirm the safety or performance of a building, the plan is based on the Building Standards Law and related regulations It is stipulated that construction should be started after confirming in advance whether it conforms to the above. In addition, it is necessary to have an inspection after the construction is completed.
 If you do not perform these confirmations, the building may be a violation, so be sure to consult with an architect and complete the procedure.

Applications that require procedures when changing the use

 When changing the use of an existing building, as an example, when changing the use to the target use (called "special building") as shown in the figure and the total floor area of the part to be used for that purpose is 200m2 Those that exceed the procedure is required (excluding changes to the same use or changes to use between similar uses).

Figure: Examples of special buildings

Figures representing theaters, cinemas, meetinghouses, hotels, inns, hospitals, clinics, etc.
Left figure: Theaters, movie theaters, meetinghouses, etc. Figure: Hotels, Ryokans, etc. Right: Hospitals, clinics, etc.

Figures represent warehouses, such as apartment houses and dormitories, restaurants and merchandise stores, etc.
Left figure: Condominiums, dormitories, etc. Figure: For restaurants and merchandise stores, etc. Right: Warehouses, etc.

Contact information

About the City Planning Act

The  City Planning Act stipulates standards for city planning to promote sound development and orderly maintenance of cities.

About construction in urbanization adjustment area

 In Yokohama City, the entire city is divided into an urbanization area based on the City Planning Act and an urbanization adjustment area, and 1/4 is designated as an urbanization adjustment area.
 The urbanization adjustment area is an area established based on the City Planning Act as an area that should suppress urbanization, and in principle, buildings cannot be built.
 Land such as forests in the urbanization control area is sold in a state where land is maintained and leveled, and there are many cases where trouble occurs.
 If you plan to build a building on these lands, be sure to check with an expert.
 If you have any questions, be sure to consult with the Housing and Architecture Bureau Residential Land Examination Department Coordination Area Division.

Contact information

About the Regulation Law on Residential Land Development

 The Residential Land Development Regulation Law stipulates the necessary standards for preventing disasters caused by landslides or runoff of earth and sand due to residential land development.

About regulation law procedure such as residential land development

 In Yokohama City, about 2/3 of the city area is designated as a residential land development construction restricted area based on the Residential Land Development Regulation Law, and when performing construction corresponding to cliffs in that area, procedures must be taken before starting construction. Must be done.
 Please refer to the following website for the definition of terms such as cliffs and a detailed overview.
 If you have any questions, please consult with the Residential Land Examination Division, Housing and Architecture Bureau Residential Land Examination Department.

Outline of the Regulation Law on Residential Land Development (definition of terms and construction related to target residential land development, etc.)

Contact information

About videos and leaflets

FAQs

We are considering setting up storerooms and carports. Do I need to do this?

 Buildings refer to those with roofs and pillars or walls (including fences and gates) among structures fixed on the land. Therefore, storerooms and carports are treated as buildings in principle, regardless of the presence or absence of foundations. When considering purchasing, please check with an architect or other expert about necessary/required procedures.

Steel storerooms, carports, prefabricated unit houses, simple roof hooks
Examples of violations of buildings (steel storerooms, carports, prefabricated unit houses, simple roof hooks)

I'm thinking of purchasing a building (new construction / second-hand). Do you have any caution?

 When purchasing, make sure that a certificate of confirmation and inspection has been issued. (Confirmed certificate and inspection certificate are issued to the builder.)
 About record of grant, we can investigate in Housing and Architecture Bureau information consultation section after next agency.
 In addition, a certificate of confirmation and an inspection certificate are required in principle every time a new building or extension is made.
 In addition, it is safer to ask an expert such as an architect to conduct a survey before purchasing.

Where do you know the rules of the area where you live?

 For information on your area, please contact us.
 i-Mappy (Yokohama City Administration Map Information System Town Development Map Information)
 You can check it.

 Other common questions such as architecture and development are introduced at the link below.

You may need a separate PDF reader to open a PDF file.
If you do not have it, you can download it free of charge from Adobe.
Get Adobe Acrobat Reader DCTo download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Inquiries to this page

Housing and Architecture Bureau Building Inspection Department Violation Countermeasure Section

Telephone: 045-671-3856

Telephone: 045-671-3856

Fax: 045-664-2667

Email address: kc-ihanzesei@city.yokohama.jp

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Page ID: 587-370-427

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