Most alterations to, and refurbishment of, existing buildings -
as well as new buildings - will require an application for Building
Regulations approval. If you have any doubt as to whether or not an
application is required please tel 020 7332 1000.
Gaining Building Regulations approval does not mean that you
have been granted approval under the Town and Country Planning Act.
You are advised to contact
Planning if you have any doubt as to whether a planning
application is required.
In addition to your application under the Building Regulations,
you may also need approval under section 20 of the London Building
Acts (Amendment) Act 1939. Section 20 applies when your building is
more than 30 metres high. It also applies to buildings higher than
25 metres if they cover an area of more than 930 square metres, and
some commercial buildings (for example, warehouses) that have a
volume of more than 7100 cubic metres. For these buildings extra
fire-safety measures are usually needed. If you are not sure
whether section 20 applies, phone us on 020 7332 1000.
To speed up the application process, the facility to apply
online is available. To make online applications for schemes
up to £5million please click on the appropriate heading below.
Alternatively, the forms are available to download and print for
postal applications.
- Full Plans
application
This route is available for all work. A Full Plans
submission comprises the application form, plans and information
showing the extent of the proposals in sufficient detail to
demonstrate compliance with the regulations, together with
appropriate payment. If you need section 20 approval, this can be
applied for at the same time as your full plans application using
the same form. A separate form is available for section 20 if you
have already made your building regulations application.
- Building Notice
application
The Building Notice route is generally not available for
work affecting buildings that will be places of work
(offices, shops, hotels, factories). The Building Notice submission
will include details and a description of the proposals, together
with appropriate payment which is payable in full at the time of
the application.
- Regularisation
application
Regulation 21 (unauthorised building work) provides for work to be
regularised. This is of particular use to building owners who wish
to transfer their interest in the property. A Regularisation
application must include a description and details of the work for
consideration. Having reviewed this information we will carry out a
site inspection and may require you to lay open any work that has
been covered up as well as making tests and taking samples to
verify the adequacy of the construction. Once we are satisfied that
the work complies with Building Regulations we will issue a
Regularisation Certificate.
To apply offline, please download and print the appropriate form
from the list below and return it completed, together will all
relevant information and
appropriate payment, to the address below.
Full Plans application PDF (88kb)
Building Notice application
PDF (77kb)
Regularisation application
PDF (79kb)
Section 20 application PDF (85kb)
To notify us of commencement and completion stages of projects
please download and print the appropriate form from the list below
and return it to this office.
Commencement Notice
PDF (53kb)
Completion Notice PDF (46kb)
Section 20 Commencement Notice
PDF (53kb)
Section 20 Completion Notice
PDF (35kb)
Building control applications received
Information on current and past Building Regulations
applications can now be viewed by following the link below:
Applications received since 1986
District Surveyor's Office
Department of Environmental Services
City of London
PO Box 270, Guildhall
London EC2P 2EJ
Tel 020 7332 1000
Fax 020 7332 1968
Email
DES-Districtsurveyors@cityoflondon.gov.uk