Regulations that determine the guidelines to the construction process are called the "building code".    These guidelines of construction are directly linked to the municipality or city where the building is taking place. A building code, or building control, is a set of rules that specify the minimum standards for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures. The main purpose of building codes are to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures.  .. Building departments review plans submitted to them before construction, issue permits [or not] and inspectors verify compliance to these standards at the site during construction.  There is further information on the building codes found through the picture and an example of a city building code found through the inspection passed image.