Building regulations approval
How to apply
Contact a ‘building control body’ (BCB) to check the building regulations or apply for approval.
There are different rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Where to apply
There are different building control bodies, depending on whether your building project includes a higher-risk building.
If your work includes a higher-risk building
You need to apply to the Building Safety Regulator, unless the work is exempt, not covered by regulations or carried out by a competent person.
If your work does not include a higher-risk building
You can apply for approval from one of the following:
- your local council – apply through the Planning Portal
- a private registered building control approver in England
- a private registered building control approver in Wales
If you choose a registered building control approver, they’ll tell your local authority about your work. This is called giving an ‘initial notice’.
Choose a type of application
Unless your work includes a higher-risk building, you must decide on the type of application for your planned build, extension or alteration work.
Full plans
This is the most thorough option. You can expect a decision within 5 weeks, or 2 months with your consent.
You’ll usually get a completion certificate within 8 weeks of completion of the building work, as long as it complies.
Building notice
This type of application is only for smaller projects. You can start work 2 days after your notice has been submitted to your BCB. You do not get formal approval like you do with full plans.
Regularisation
You can apply for ‘regularisation’ – retrospective approval for work already carried out without consent – from a local authority BCB only.
Only work carried out after 11 November 1985 can be approved in this way.
You might need to make alterations before your BCB can agree the work complies and give you a regularisation certificate.
You may have to correct the work or pay a fine if building regulations are not followed.
Fees and costs
Local authorities base their fees on their costs.
What you’ll pay depends on the:
- type of work involved
- site inspections
- number of dwellings in the building
- total floor area, for example in the case of extensions
Private registered building control approvers negotiate their fees directly with you.
You might not have to pay a fee for works carried out solely for a person with a disability.
If your work includes a higher-risk building
Charges for higher-risk building control approval are explained on the Building Safety Regulator charging scheme on the Health and Safety Executive website.