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 2 types of BCB. It’s up to you which you use.
Local authority BCBs
You can apply for approval from your council.
Private BCBs
You can apply through a private approved inspector.
They’ll tell your local authority about the work. This is called giving an ‘initial notice’.
Choose a type of application
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 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.