HomeBuilding Regulations
Building regulations give a minimum legal standard for the health, safety and welfare of people in and around all buildings. They also set standards for fuel and power conservation and access to buildings for all.District Councils enforce the Building Regulations (NI) under The Building Regulations (NI) Order 1979 as Amended and The Building Regulations (NI) 2000
When do I need to apply | You do not need to apply for | Making an application | What happens if work does not have Building Control approval?
When do I need to apply?
When you wish to:
- make alterations and build extensions
- start a new building works
- carry out works and fittings
- change the use of a building.
- Alterations and extensions
- Enlarged window or door openings
- Remove internal walls
- Openings for patio doors
- Cavity wall insulation
- Roof space conversions
- Extensions
- Attached garages/carports.
- New buildings
- Dwellings
- Garages
- Outbuildings
- Carry out works and fittings
- Drainage alterations.
- Bathrooms etc.
- New central heating, change of heating for example from coal to gas.
- L.P.G. tanks.
- Gas fires.
- Change the use of a building
- Flat conversions.
- Converting any building to a dwelling.
You do not need to apply for
- Conservatories and porches with an internal floor area less than 30sq m. provided safety glazing is used (complies with Part V )
- Carport open on at least 2 sides with a floor area less than 30sq m.
- Covered area or covered way with a floor area less than 30sq m.
- Detached single storey building up to 15m2, not used for sleeping and is 1 metre or more from a dwelling
- Detached single storey building up to 30m2, not used for sleeping and is 1m or more from a house provided it is constructed from non-combustible materials, or is 1 metre or more from boundaries or other buildings.
- Domestic greenhouses
Making an application
There are three ways to apply for building regulation approval.
1. Building Notice
This is the simplest method and is for works relating only to houses and apartments. Basically you fill in a form, pay the fee and then let us know when you are starting the work. When the works are finished we will give you a Completion Certificate to say that the works are completed satisfactorily.
Building Notice Application Form
Building Notice Guidance Notes
2. Full Plan Application.
This covers all type of work including larger commercial works. It is a two stage approval. You give us plans of the proposed works for us to check and approve. The work is also checked on site. This method is normally used when you are taking out a loan and the bank or building society need plans of what you are hoping to do.
Full Plan Domestic Application Form
Full Plan Non Domestic Application Form
How to make a Full Plans Domestic Application Guidance
How to make a Full Plans Non Domestic Application Guidance
3. Regularisation
This third method is used when you have already carried out the work without approval.
It covers all types of work completed more than 18 months ago for which no application has been made. A more detailed and comprehensive inspection of the unapproved works will take place and larger fees are paid. Once checked and found to be satisfactory a Completion Certificate will be issued.
Regularisation Application Form
Guidance Notes on Regularisation Certificates
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What happens if work does not have Building Control approval?
If building work was completed more than 18 months ago, then it can be regularised (approval in retrospect).
Building work completed less than 18 months ago will result in legal proceedings taking place, this may include:
- notice to open up works - when work cannot be easily seen
- contravention notice - when work is unsatisfactory and needs to be put right
- summons - when plans were required, but where not given to us or when contraventions have not been put right.
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