What are the earliest known regulations in the context of building codes?

Housing codes represent some of the earliest known regulations concerning building practices, aimed specifically at ensuring safe and livable conditions within residential structures. These codes established minimum standards for construction, sanitation, and occupancy of homes to protect public health and welfare. The development of housing codes can be traced back to various ancient civilizations that sought to regulate living conditions and promote basic safety and health standards among their populations.

In contrast, urban planning standards and building codes have evolved later as urbanization increased and the complexity of building techniques advanced. While safety regulations do play a critical role in modern construction and public safety, they typically derive from more comprehensive codes and standards that have built upon the foundational aspects laid out by housing codes.