Building Regulations
The building regulations are made by the Department of Finance and Personnel (Construction Service) and the district councils are charged with the responsibility for enforcement of those regulations.
The primary legislation under which building regulations are made and enforced is The Building Regulations (NI) Order 1979 (as amended). For details of formal enforcement procedures see Click Here. Current regulations are The Building Regulations (NI) 2000. For further information regarding the latest amendments to the regulations Enforcement.
Anyone intending to erect a building, alter or extend an existing building or change the use of a building is required to comply with the building regulations and should submit an application to the district council before starting work. There are a few exceptions to this rule that depend upon specific conditions being met see
Approval under the building regulations is entirely separate from planning permission. Building regulations are concerned with the construction of the building and consider a range of issues including, for example, structural stability and fire safety. Building control staff examine submissions made to the Council and, if appropriate, issue approval. They will also inspect the work on site to ascertain that the requirements of the regulations have been met.
There are three types of application that may be made:
Regularisation Certificate application
(Select type for more information)
Note: An information booklet titled 'A guide to the building regulations procedure' is available from the Building control department.
