Building notice applications

When a valid building notice has been submitted (including fee paid), building work may begin at any time provided the local authority is given 2 clear working days’ notice of the intention to start work, as required by Regulation 16(1) of the Building Regulations 2010.

Make an application

Building notice applications guidance

A building notice application is an application under the building regulations giving brief details of your proposals for domestic alterations and extensions.

A building notice may be used where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not apply. This may be appropriate where the building work is simple and drawings are not required.

• The building notice enables work to be started without having to provide us with plans – you must inform us before the work is started
• The building notice fee must be paid when a building notice is deposited – the building notice fee is similar to the combined plan and inspection fees of the full plans option

You need to submit a building notice to us and it should include the information specified in Regulation 13. In the case of a new building or extension, the information should include a site plan.

Once the building notice has been deposited, we may ask in writing for further information.

Building work may start 48 hours after a valid building notice has been submitted and the relevant fee paid. If building work has not started within 3 years of a building notice being deposited, under Regulation 13(5) the building notice is no longer valid.

We are not required to pass or reject a building notice. If you use a building notice instead of the full plans route, then both of the following apply:

1. You will not have the protection of having full plans passed by us. If we have passed your plans, then you know that we are happy for you to build from them
2. You cannot ask the Secretary of State for a determination if the person carrying out the building work disagrees with our requirements

If building work contravenes the Building Regulations, we can require the work to be altered or removed.