Types of Building Control Applications

Before commencing any building work it is advisable to contact the Building Control Department of Derry City Council to check if the proposed work would attract the Building Regulations. Where the building work attracts the Building Regulations it is imperative that a Building Control Application is made before any work commences, failure to do this is a criminal offence that may result in Derry City Council taking legal action. Any persons who intend to carry out any building work or make any material change of use of a building shall give notices, deposit of plans in accordance with Part ‘A’ and/or Part ‘B’ of Schedule 2 of the current Building Regulations.

There are a number of application available to applicants depending on the nature of the work whether it is associated with a domestic or commercial/industrial project. The types of applications are;

Full Plans Application Domestic/Commercial/Industrial

This type of application can be for new build, extensions or minor renovations being carried out on dwellings. The applicant must submit (2 copies for domestic and 4 copies for commercial/industrial) of Legible Construction Plans and Technical Specifications and written particulars. After Derry City Council’s Building Control Department receives the` application it is assessed and if all the information on the drawings are in compliance and the fee is correct an ‘Approval Certificate’ is issued along with guidance and inspection cards on the next steps to take.

Building Notice Application Domestic Only

This can only be done for domestic applications. Building Notice can be used for any domestic application but are ideal for minor work. After the application is made a letter with guidance and information is issued. (There is no Approval Certificate issued with a Building Notice Application)

Regularisation Certificate Application Domestic/Commercial/Industrial

Where unauthorised work has been carried out, with no Notice given nor plans submitted, an application can be made to Derry City Council’s Building Control Department for a Regularisation Certificate. Regularisation applications can be made for both domestic and non-domestic works commenced on or after 1 October 1973.  Work completed prior to this date is not covered by the Regularisation procedure.  This process was introduced  to assist those who carried out building work that required Building Regulations Approval but did not make the appropriate application.Unauthorised work can cause problems when conveyance is being carried out on a property being sold. Inspections are carried out by the Building Control Officer to ascertain whether or not the work complies. This may necessitate opening up, additional work and further inspections.

All of the above applications will require the appropriate Building Control Fee.