Building control

Important announcements

• We operate "appointment only" visits to this office therefore, please telephone 0117 9223000 to book a convenient time for you to visit us.

• Launch of the Bristol City Council 2011 LABC Building Excellence Awards is now underway, additional information and application form are now available to download for all those applications completed by November 2010 (closing date to be confirmed).

The main areas of responsibility for the Building Regulations and Standards Team are

Building Regulations: the examination of submitted building regulation applications and carrying out construction inspections to ensure that the regulations are complied with on site.

Enforcement: Under the Building Act 1984, it is the duty of the Local Authority to enforce the building regulations and allied legislation within its area. On a day to day basis building regulation enforcement is carried out on an informal basis, using the plan check and site inspection procedures. Click on the link to find out more.

Pre Application Advice: free advice is available to developers of major schemes including access to a multi-disciplinary team of fire engineers, structural engineers and building control surveyors as early in the design process as necessary.

A Structural Engineering Service: to examine building regulation applications in relation to structural issues, and inspecting work on site in parallel with normal building regulation inspections.

Dangerous Structures: a 365 days a year, 24 hour emergency inspection service. The team has emergency powers to ensure that buildings or structures posing a risk to the public are made safe.

Safety at Sports grounds: the team is a statutory consultee under safety at sports grounds legislation and is represented on the 'Safety Advisory Group' (SAG).

Control of Demolition: where conducting demolition works there is a statutory requirement to serve notice on the City Council. This team serves counter notices that contain requirements to ensure safe demolition and ensures that neighbours and other interested parties including the utility companies are consulted.

Electronic Online Applications: would you like to submit your application electronically? If so please click on the Submit–a–Plan icon. However, you are still required to submit your fee either by post or in person (cheques/postal orders made payable to Bristol City Council). We accept the following formats:

• Microsoft Word (.doc)
• Adobe Acrobat PDF (.pdf)
• AutoCAD Plot drawing (.plt)
• Microsoft Excel (.xls)

General Advice: free advice is available about the Building Regulations including exemptions that do not require an application. Various leaflets are constantly being reviewed and are available in the following pages along with frequently asked questions.

Party Wall Act: The City Council can not advise about general party wall issues but the Chief Building Control Surveyor as 'Appointing Officer' under the Act can appoint a third surveyor where two surveyors cannot agree, this is our only role.

Customer Satisfaction Survey

We are interested in hearing your views about the service you have received from us. You can improve our service by completing the Customer Satisfaction Survey Form.