Advice/FAQs

They are national standards on levels of performance which are made by Parliament dealing with the construction of buildings. They are enforced by Building Control offices working for the 11 councils in Northern Ireland.

To safeguard the health and safety of people in or around buildings. They also deal with energy conservation and access to facilities for disabled people.

If you want to build, alter, extend or change the use of a building the Building Regulations may apply. Some works are exempt, therefore should you require further help or guidance contact the Building Control Department on 0330 137 4003 or buildingcontrol@nmandd.org.

Planning permission may also be required, should you require further help or guidance please contact Planning on 0330 137 4036 or planning@nmandd.org.

Examples when you are required to make a Building Control application include:

1. New dwelling
2. Extension to an existing dwelling
3. Alterations to an existing dwelling
4. New non domestic building
5. Extension to an existing non domestic building
6. Alterations to an existing non domestic building
7. Installation or alterations to a heating system
8. Installation of solar panels
9. Installation of loft or cavity wall insulation

Yes, where it is bigger than 3 square metres you will have to make a Full Plan Application.

Yes, you need approval if your changes affect the building itself. This includes:

1. Removing or partly removing walls, support beams or a chimney
2. Making changes that could make it harder to escape in the event of a fire

No, provided there is no structural alteration, for example creating a larger window opening.

No- if the repairs are small and you are replacing like for like. This includes things like fixing a flat roof felt, repainting, or repairing a small section of brickwork.

Yes- if the repair involves removing and rebuilding a large part of a wall, or supporting a wall that carries weight. For re-roofing, you need approval if the new tiles or roofing material are heavier than the old ones or cover more than half of the roof.

If your work needs Building Regulation approval, there are two ways to apply:

1. For a Full Plans Application, you need to provide detailed plans showing how the work will be done.
2. For a Building Notice Application, you provide simpler plans. This is only for small or simple projects.

Download the Application Form

Yes, you need to pay a fee to the Council, unless your work is exempt. The Building Control team will tell you how much to pay and when.

The fee calculator is available on the Building Control Northern Ireland website 

When you have submitted your Building Control application and received a reference number, you can start work. You must notify Building Control when you commence work on site.

Guidance on compliance with Building Regulations is provided in Technical Booklets.  

You can download the guides here: Building Control Northern Ireland

You can change your plans in accordance with the rejection list provided by Building Control following the assessment process. If you are not satisfied with the grounds for rejection, you can appeal this decision to the Department of Finance.

More information on appeals is here: Building Regulations Appeals

The Council must make sure that building work meets Building Regulations. If the work doesn't meet Building Regulations, you may be asked to alter or remove it. If you fail to do this, the Council may serve a notice requiring you to do so. We can regularise illegal works; please contact us for more information.

No. Planning approval looks at how the building will look, where it will go and how it affects the area around it.

Building Control approval checks that the building is safe, solid, energy efficient, and easy for everyone to use, including people with disabilities.