Metropolitan Building Act 1855

The Metropolitan Building Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 122) was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, concerning standards for buildings within the London "Metropolis", which was separately defined as part of the Metropolis Management Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 120) passed in the same year. The act was used to regulate the construction, alteration, and safety of buildings within the city, and is the precursor of modern building regulations.

Metropolitan Building Act 1855

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to amend the Laws relating to the Construction of Buildings in the Metropolis and its Neighbourhood.
Citation	18 & 19 Vict. c. 122
Territorial extent	"The Metropolis" as defined in the Metropolis Management Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 120), in England
Dates
Royal assent	14 August 1855
Commencement	14 August 1855[a]
Repealed	1 January 1895
Other legislation
Amends	Metropolitan Buildings Act 1844 Metropolitan Buildings Act 1846
Amended by	Statute Law Revision Act 1875
Repealed by	London Building Act 1894
Relates to	Factory and Workshop Act 1891
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the The Metropolitan Building Act 1855 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

Provisions

Part I contains which buildings are in scope (which includes all new buildings and alterations to buildings), and sets out rules for the structure and thickness of walls, roofs, chimneys, stairs, and particulars for party walls. It goes on to set a structure for district surveyors, including granting them powers to inspect and enforce the rules.^[1]

Part II covers dangerous structures, defining them and giving city commissioners powers to deal with them^[1]

Part III goes into detail on party structures^[1]

Part IV covers the miscellaneous provisions, particularly around the powers of courts^[1]

Part V repeals previous acts^[1]

Legacy

The whole act was repealed by section 215 of, and the fourth schedule to, the London Building Act 1894 (57 & 58 Vict. c. ccxiii).

Notes

1. The Acts of Parliament (Commencement) Act 1793.