---
title: "Short note: Building codes and by laws"
subject: "Engineering Professional Practice"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_8/engineering_professional_practice:short-note-building-codes-bylaws"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/short-note-building-codes-bylaws
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Building codes and by laws

Engineering Professional Practice · Chapter 5: Regulatory Environment

- Asked in: 2072 Asoj, 2 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/short-note-building-codes-bylaws
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/chapter-5

## Question

Write a short note on Building codes and by laws.

## Short answer

Building codes are technical safety rules; building by-laws are municipal legal controls such as ground coverage, FAR, setbacks and height. Nepal's National Building Code (1994) was made mandatory in 2003 under the Building Act 2055, and a building permit is issued only if drawings comply.

## Answer

A **building code** is a set of technical rules for the design and construction of buildings so that they are safe, healthy and durable. **Building by-laws** are legal rules made by the local authority (municipality) that control how and where a building may be built.

**Nepal National Building Code (NBC, 1994)**

It was prepared by the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) after the 1988 earthquake, and was made mandatory in 2060 BS (2003). Its parts include NBC 000 (requirements for state-of-the-art design), NBC 101-114 (materials, loads, seismic design, design of masonry, concrete, steel and timber, and construction safety), NBC 201-205 (mandatory rules of thumb and guidelines for reinforced concrete, masonry and earthen buildings) and NBC 206-208 (architectural, electrical, sanitation and plumbing requirements). The Building Act 2055 gives the legal basis; it makes the code and the permit system compulsory in municipalities.

**Building by-laws**

They fix the ground coverage, floor area ratio (FAR), setback from the road and river, building height, plot size, parking, open space, light and ventilation, fire safety and access. A building permit is given only if the drawings follow them, and a completion certificate is issued after inspection.

**Importance:** earthquake safety, orderly urban growth, protection of neighbours and the environment, and legal clarity. Engineers must follow them and cannot sign drawings that violate them (NEC code of conduct).

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Building by-laws are
   A. technical design rules by DUDBC
   B. legal rules made by the local authority controlling how and where a building may be built
   C. a loan scheme
   D. a type of tax
   Answer: B. By-laws are legal local rules; the code is a technical set of rules. (Key point: Code vs by-laws)

2. What gives the legal basis for NBC and the permit system?
   A. Building Act 2055
   B. Labour Act 2074
   C. Copyright Act 2059
   D. Arbitration Act 2055
   Answer: A. The Building Act 2055 makes the code and permit system compulsory in municipalities. (Key point: Legal basis)

3. Which is controlled by by-laws?
   A. Ground coverage, FAR, setback, height
   B. Workers' wages
   C. Share capital
   D. Patent term
   Answer: A. By-laws fix ground coverage, FAR, setback, height, parking and similar controls. (Key point: Controls in by-laws)

## Related in other subjects

- [Regulatory requirements and building codes for planning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aregulatory-building-codes-urban) — Construction Management, chapter 11, asked 2×
- [Short note: Building bye-laws and requirements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Abuilding-bye-laws-note) — Construction Management, chapter 11