All applications for Disability Access Certificate, Revised Disability Access Certificate and Dispensation/Relaxation shall be submitted online on the Building Control Management System (BCMS). 

A BCMS account is required to submit applications. 

Part M of the Building Regulations deals with access to, and the use of, buildings.  A Disability Access Certificate is granted by a Building Control Authority and certifies that the works or building to which the Disability Access Certificate application relates, if constructed in accordance with documentation accompanying the application, is in compliance with Part M of the Building Regulations 2022. The decision to grant (with or without conditions) or refuse a certificate is based on an assessment of plans, documents and other information submitted with the application.

With the exception of houses and certain agricultural buildings, a Disability Access Certificate (DAC) is generally required for all new buildings, including apartments and flats. A certificate is also required for certain material changes of use and certain alterations and extensions to buildings.  A Disability Access Certificate need not be obtained before work starts, however the building or works cannot be opened, operated or occupied before the certificate is granted.

The statutory time period allowed to a Building Control Authority to process a Disability Access Certificate application is two months. However, all the information required must be made available to the authority so that they have sufficient information on which to base a decision. If the documentation submitted is incomplete, this may delay a decision on the application.

The decision of a building control authority may be appealed to An Bórd Pleanála within one month of the decision. Details of the appeal process and fee are sent out with each decision of the authority.

Applications for a Disability Access Certificate are submitted online via the Building Control Management System (BCMS).

The fee for the submission of a Disability Access Certificate application is €800 per building, or €500 per building where the application is made prior to commencement and coincides with an application for a Fire Safety Certificate, where relevant. (subject to maximum as set out in the Building Control Regulations 1997 (as amended)).  For details relating to fees see Fifth Schedule to the Building Control Regulations 1997 (as amended).

If you have not used the BCMS previously for the submission of any notice or application relating to Building Control, it will be necessary for you to sign up for a BCMS account in order to access the online submission facility.

Please go to BCMS and use the Sign Up option to register for an account. Instructional videos can be found on the National Building Control Office YouTube Channel.

For details on the requirements relating to Disability Access Certificates see Part IIIB of the Building Control Regulations 1997 (as amended).