What Services Do Building Control Provide?

Protecting people and the environment

We are responsible for enforcement of the Building Regulations within the Derry City Council area. Our objective is to undertake our statutory role in an effective and efficient manner that gives the best professional advice and assistance to members of the public, architects, contractors, statutory agencies, businesses, educational providers and speculative developers within Derry City Council area

We check that new building work in Derry City Council area meets the standards of the Building Regulations.

Building Regulations Approval is the means by which we check that a building or renovations that attract the Building Regulations are built to these standards.

If you want to carry out any building work, you must find out whether Building Regulations apply. If so, you must apply for Building Regulations Approval.

Are you concerned about the safety of a privately owned building? If yes, then please feel free to contact Building Control Direct on 028 71376521.

In relation to the Building Regulations (NI) 2000 the Building Control Department:

• Provide Pre-consultations to those who propose to make an application.
• Assess application to ensure the administration is in compliance with the Building Prescribed Fees
• Assess plans to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations.
• Undertake site inspections ensuring that work is carried out in accordance with the approved application.
• Issue Completion Inspections.
• Issue Regularisation Certificates.
• Investigate complaints on illegal building work being carried out.

Surveying Services 

We provide a full range of building surveying services to Derry City Council and other clients. This includes surveys on:

• The construction and safety of pubs, restaurants, cinemas and other places that require a license to sell alcohol and/or an entertainments license.
• Demolition work, to ensure it is carried out safely and does not damage the environment;
• Safety at sports grounds regarding the physical structure, services, access and egress in the stadium known as the ‘P’ Factors.
• Accessing Audits advising on accessibility to all.
• Hold an extensive building archive, providing information to solicitors conducting conveyancing regarding ‘Property Cetificates’.
• Provide professional advice to elected members on matters regarding the Building Control Function
• Building Control Officers available at all times to survey dangerous buildings, for example after an explosion.
• Work closely with the Fire Service to ensure adequate means of escape in case of fire in public buildings and residential flats.
• Work closely with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to ensure adequate precautions are adopted when dwellings are being registered as Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO’s)