How village houses are regulated
New Territories Exempted Houses (village houses) are exempt from parts of the Buildings Ordinance and generally do not need prior Buildings Department approval to start works. But if works take the house beyond the exemption criteria (such as no more than three storeys, 8.23 m high and a 65.03 m² roofed-over area), the exemption may be lost.
Domestic buildings of three storeys or fewer are outside the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme, which covers most village houses, but owners should still inspect and maintain their windows.
Common village house jobs
Large sliding, folding and balcony doors.
Open and coastal sites face stronger wind, so choose suitable profiles and glass thickness.
Rooftop glass rooms and canopies may count as unauthorised building works; check before building.
Official sources
This page is general guidance, not legal advice. If rules change, the government department's information prevails.