Making a building control application
If you wish to apply for building control approval, you need to submit a full plans application. This type of application allows you to have your plans checked by our surveyors and approved as complying with the Building Regulations 2014. See downloadable documents for a copy of these regulations.
The submission of a full plans application has 2 benefits:
- a set of approved plans to build from, and near immunity from enforcement action if you build in accordance with those plans, and
- a greater certainty of the final building costs
Another advantage to making a full plans application is that our staff can advise on the following:
- design and layout
- structural design and local ground conditions
- fire safety and engineering
- energy conservation and sound transmission, and
- access and facilities for people with disabilities, including liaison with other Government Departments and external bodies
To make a full plans application, it is necessary to complete an application form which can be found at our application forms page. The form should be accompanied by 2 full sets of plans and a plan fee.
Note: For designated buildings under Fire Precaution Act 1975, a further 2 sets of floor plans are needed.
If you need advice or assistance, ask for a pre-application consultation with one of our Building Control Officers (see related links).
Please be aware that whilst a Full plans application may be subject to one amendment after submission, should further subsequent amendment be made, Regulation 4 (7)(b) requires that an additional fee is chargeable at 50% of the original plan fee up to a maximum as stated.
Regularisation Applications/ Unauthorised Works
Where unauthorised works may have been undertaken without support of an appropriate application since 1993, assessment will be given on receipt of an application for ‘Regularisation’.
Where a property owner has undertaken works which should have been subject to Building Control assessment there are obligations to regularise the works carried out. Such instances most often arise where the property is subject to a conveyance. Property owners are therefore encouraged and best advised to make good any such obligations before marketing their property.
Works undertaken prior to 1993, ‘Letters of Comfort’ may be issued for works which are proven to have been undertaken prior to 1993. Such requests are subject to an administration fee. Letters of comfort do not ‘regularise; the works undertaken, but give comfort that no enforcement action will be carried by this office due to the length of time that the unauthorised works have been in place.
A regularisation application form is available on our application forms page.
The information required to support such application is set down in Section 26 of the Regulations.
Specifically requiring:
(a) a statement that the application is made under this regulation;
(b) a description of the unauthorised work;
(c) the date of commencement and completion of the unauthorised work;
(d) so far as is reasonably practicable, a plan of the unauthorised work;
(e) so far as is reasonably practicable, a plan showing any additional work required to be carried out to secure that unauthorised work complies with the requirements relating to building work in the building regulations which were applicable to that work when it was carried out ("the relevant requirements"); and
(f) any other information relating to the unauthorised works which the applicant or the building authority considers may be relevant.
The application must be accompanied by the relevant fee.
Please be aware that with the introduction of the Building Control (Fees)(No2) Regulations 2021, Section 6 addressing unauthorised work, applications for regularisation are chargeable to the fee, as would have been applied originally under the current Fees Regulation (both plan and inspection fee) and will incur an 'unauthorised work fee'.
On completion of this form, we will arrange a visit to inspect the works for compliance with Building Regulations.
Electronic applications
Please select below the form that you wish to complete and you will be directed to our external service provider. You can then complete the form and attach your plans and supporting documents. When you submit your application it will be sent to us and you will receive a confirmation email containing a 'DSFX' reference number.
Please note for online applications:
- Proof of payment must be provided, where required, to conclude validation
- Each attachment must be below 4MB in size
- If your application incurs a fee and does not include proof of payment, we will contact you to request payment.
Personal information
The Department maintains a register of building control applications in order to record authorised works against a property address, and for the benefit of owners/property conveyances.
The approved building control history for a property will be retained indefinitely as part of that register.
In accordance with the Directorate′s Retention Schedule, all personal information submitted as part of an application, contact detail including email and phone numbers, that is of no material consequence to the register, will be (unless either related to a business) redacted from the application database.
You have a right to request that any personal information is amended, deleted or restricted and this can be requested by contacting the Department′s Data Protection Officer on +44 1624 686781 or by email at DPO_DEFA@gov.im
Link with planning permission
In many cases, planning permission will be required in addition to Building Regulations approval. Both are distinct and different areas of control but both will be handled by the Planning and Building Control Directorate of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, which enables co-ordination and combined advice to be given.
Please note that where the Department handles both applications the administration team will by practice compare both sets of plans to ensure that any built structure is erected in accordance with the permissions given.
