Do I need permission?
Last updated: 11/03/2013
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Tips on when you need Building Regulation permission.
You need Building Regulation permission when:
- you erect or extend a building
- you materially alter a building e.g. carry out structural
alterations
- you extend or alter a controlled service within a building e.g.
install a new heating boiler
- you want to change the building's fundamental use
- you carry out work or renovate a thermal element
How to find out if you need permission
To receive confirmation in writing about what permissions are
required for your proposed work you can either;
Complete the Building Regulation only form (this is free of
charge)
You can also contact us either by phone or
email to discuss your proposed work.
Don't forget that you may need Building Regulation approval even
if you don't need Planning approval and vice versa. The
Planning Portal
contains an interactive guide to help you decide whether or
not building regulations or planning permission is
required.
Exempt work
Not all building work needs building regulation permission
if certain conditions are fulfilled, for example;
Work which does require building regulation
permission
Below are examples of the type of work
that needs Building Regulation approval:
- erection of new buildings
- extensions to existing buildings
- underpinning of foundations
- barn or domestic garage conversions
- the provision or extension of an electrical supply
- replacing windows (unless using the FENSA or CERTASS
Scheme)-
- work that affects fire safety eg most alterations to commercial
buildings
- work for disabled people eg providing a level access shower,
lift etc (there are generally no charges for this type of
work)
- removal of a load bearing wall
- creating new door or window openings
- installation of sanitary and washing facilities or alterations
to drainage
- installing heating appliances and oil storage tanks
- erection of new chimneys, flue liners or flues
- structural alterations not considered a repair (advice given in
each case)
- installing cavity wall insulation
- external wall insulation
- alterations to roof spaces
- re-roofing of pitched or flat roofs
- replacement shop fronts
- carrying out any remedial work to a thermal element
for instance renewing external render or re tiling / slating of
your roof.
In addition certain changes of use of buildings from one use to
another require an application, for example;
- creating a house, flat or maisonette
- altering the number of dwelling units within a building
- altering the number bedrooms within a dwelling
- a hotel or boarding house
- an institutional building eg nursing home
- a public building eg sports hall, community centre
- the building is no longer exempt where previously it was
Pre-application Planning and Building Control
advice
If you know you require permission, a pre-application advice
service is available for further information please contact
your local office. Alternatively you can still
contact a surveyor at your local office to discuss the building regulation
aspects of your proposal.