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Building Control

Building Control Section BCMS Commencement Notices

Building Works Commencement Notices Submission

Building Control

Please note that in accordance with the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (S.I. 9) of 2014 from the 1st March, 2014 new Commencement Notices procedures apply. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2014/en.si.2014.0009.pdf

Additional documentation may be required to be submitted with the completed Commencement Notice; and this should be completed on-line on the National BCMS (Building Control Management System).https://www.localgov.ie/en/BCMS

In accordance with the Building Control Regulations you are obliged to submit a Commencement Notice or a 7 Day Notice Application Form with a 7 Day Statutory Declaration‌ prior to commencement of the development.

A Commencement Notice must be received by the Building Control Authority not less than 14 days and not more than 28 days before you wish to commence. 

A Commencement Notice is relevant in all cases, except where a Fire Safety Certificate is required and one has not yet been granted.  In this case the correct form to use is a 7 Day Notice.

The Register is available to view at the following link.https://www.localgov.ie/en/BCMS Contact us at 01 2117600 or email buildingcontrol@wicklowcoco.ie for further information.

 

Requirements for Completion of Commencement Notices

Commencement Notices are required for the following:

  •   The erection of a building
  •    A material alteration of a building
  •    An extension to a building
  •    A material change of use of a building
  •    Works in connection with the material alteration (excluding minor works) of a shop,      office or industrial building where a Fire Safety Certificate is not required
        Commencement Notice is not required for.

Works or a change of use which requires neither planning permission, nor a Fire Safety Certificate
Please note that in accordance with the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (S.I. 9) of 2014 from the 1st March, 2014 new Commencement Notices procedures apply. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2014/en.si.2014.0009.pdf

Additional documentation will be required to be submitted with the completed Commencement Notice for;

     (a) the design and construction of a new dwelling,
     (b) an extension to a dwelling involving a total floor area greater than 40 square metres,
     (c) works to which Part III applies S.I. No. 496 of 1997 as amended-.

and should be completed on-line on the National BCMS (Building Control Management System). https://www.localgov.ie/en/BCMS

For all other works not included in the above only the completed Commencement Notice is required to be signed and submitted or filed electronically on the National BCMS.

Submitting a Commencement Notice

For works requiring additional documentation a completed copy of the commencement notice must be signed by the owner of the works and must (refer to section 9 S.I. No 9 of 2014) be accompanied by the following;

  1. General Arrangement Drawings
  2. A schedule of design documents as are currently prepared or to be prepared
  3. An online assessment via the Building Control Management System of the proposed approach to compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations 1997 to 2014;
  4. The preliminary inspection plan
  5. A Certificate of Compliance (Design)
  6. Notices of Assignment in respect of the Builder who will carry out the works and of the Assigned Certifier who will inspect and certify the works, and
    Certificates of Compliance signed by the Builder and the Assigned Certifier undertaking to carry-out their roles in accordance with the requirements of the Building Regulations.
  7. It must be accompanied by the correct fee.  Along with the notice the accompanying documentation and appropriate fee you must submit evidence of the following, if applicable.

The Following Reference Numbers should be included.

  • Final Grant of Planning Permission
  • A Fire Safety Certificate (if required)  Application for Fire Safety Certificate
  • A Disability Access Certificate (if required)  Disability Access Certificate form

With regard to the above, please note that:

  1. The Designer and the Assigned Certifier must be a Chartered Engineer, or Registered Architect or Registered Surveyor
  2. A Competent Builder must execute the work
  3. Your drawings must show details of how your Building will comply with the Building Regulations - drawings submitted for planning permission purposes are not typically building control compliance drawings.
  4. The commencement notice and accompanying documentation must be filed electronically via the online Building ControlManagement System.https://www.localgov.ie/en/BCMS  
    (Note: Statutory approvals relating to fire safety and disabled access continue to apply where relevant and are not affected by the above changes).

Check the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations, 2014 ( S.I. No. 9) and Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Building work , for further information.

Fee for a Commencement Notice

€30 in respect of each building if complete application submitted on-line

Maximum fee for a Commencement Notice is €3,800 (Admin charges not included in max fee).

N.B.  Further Administrative Fees for Documents submitted in paper format 

Building Control Administrative Charges 2014.

Construction Products Regulation

Under S.I. No. 225 of 2013  European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 which gives effect to Regulation No. 305/2011 (Construction Products Regulation) of the European Parliament, CE marking will be mandatory for all construction products placed on the market for which harmonised standards are in place. The Construction Products Regulation aims to ensure that reliable performance-related data is made available, by means of  "Declarations of Performance", in relation to construction products being placed on the European market.  

This will affect the following people:

Manufacturers, importers and distributors
Designers, specifiers and builders


Further information can be obtained from the Department of the Housing, Planning and Local Government's website and from the following information note:

Construction Products Regulation – Information Note [PDF, 4.48MB]

Brexit

Manufacturers, importers, distributors and authorised representatives need to ensure they comply with their obligations and responsibilities, as set out in the CPR.

Further information can be obtained Department of the Housing, Planning and Local Government's Website.

Authorised officers

Wicklow County Council have authorised officers appointed under Regulation 11 of the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 for the purposes these regulations. 

Building Energy Rating BER

If you plan on selling or renting a property a Building Energy Rating (BER) is required.

A BER certificate indicates your building's energy performance. It is similar to the energy label for household appliances.

The certificate rates your building on a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and will tend to have the lowest energy bills. G-rated are the least energy efficient.

The building control authority has powers to enforce compliance with the regulations. Further information may be found at https://www.seai.ie/energy-ratings/building-energy-rating-ber/

Technical Guidance Documents


These documents are published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and provide guidance on compliance with the building regulations. They refer to standards and codes for further guidance with respect to the design and construction of buildings. Works carried out in accordance with the technical guidance documents, prima facie, indicate compliance with the building regulations. The adoption of an alternative approach other than that outlined in the guidance documents is not precluded, provided that the relevant requirements of the regulations are complied with.

Technical guidance documents http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/


The building regulations set out the technical requirements for the design and construction of building works. The building regulations are divided into 12 parts, and for private dwelling houses, the areas to be addressed are as follows:

Part Description Requirements
A Structure This requires buildings to be designed and constructed so as to ensure that they can withstand the combined loads without impairing the stability of any part of the building.
B Fire Safety Mains powered fire detection and alarm system, windows sizes for escape or rescue. Adequate fire resistance
C Site Preparation and Resistance To Moisture Site preparation, drainage, dangerous substances (e.g. Radon) Resistance to weather and ground moisture.
D Materials and Workmanship Fitness of materials and adequacy of workmanship.
E Sound Resistance of noise pollution from one dwelling to another.
F Ventilation Ventilation of rooms of specific floor area and for condensation in roofs.
G Hygiene Installation of adequate washing and toilet facilities.
H Drainage And Waste Water Disposal Installation of adequate wastewater drainage and septic tanks.
J Heat Producing Appliances Appliances designed to burn solid fuel, oil or gas. Adequate design and installation of air supplies, exhaust gasses, protection of the building and oil storage tanks.
K Stairways, Ladders, Ramps and Guards Safe and adequate design of stairs and protection from falls
L Conservation Of Fuel And Energy Limiting heat loss, maximise heat gains and controlling output
M Access and Use Approach to, access into and circulation within a dwelling, access to electrical switches, etc. Also the provision of sanitary accommodation.
Persons should always obtain professional advice for their specific situation and should consult the current technical guidance documents and current regulations.



In accordance with the Building Control Regulations, a commencement notice must be submitted before the commencement of works.

All queries on building control issues and building regulations Buildingcontrol@wicklowcoco.ie