This chapter, meticulously examines the comprehensive landscape of standards and guidelines crucial for hospital design and operation, ensuring adherence to safety and quality care. It discusses the intricate roles of building codes, healthcare accreditation standards, and specialized facility requirements, each integral to maintaining hospitals that are safe, accessible, and functional. This includes a focus on fire safety, universal accessibility, and the infrastructural demands of specialized units like surgical suites and ICUs, highlighting the necessity for rigorous stakeholder involvement in formulating these regulations. Furthermore, the chapter delves into sustainability standards, advocating environmentally responsible practices in healthcare architecture, such as energy efficiency and the use of sustainable materials. It also addresses the impact of local and national health regulations, which govern aspects from medical waste handling to the storage of pharmaceuticals, emphasizing their importance in the daily operational efficiency and compliance of healthcare facilities. Through a detailed narrative, this chapter underscores the pivotal role of regulatory frameworks in shaping healthcare facilities that not only meet current health demands but are also prepared for future challenges, thus ensuring ongoing patient safety and care quality.