How to make a building regulations application

Application types

There are two ways in which you can give the required notice that you are going to carry out building work.

• The first is the deposit of detailed plans, specifications for the work and the appropriate fee; this is known as Full Plans. The plans are checked in detail and if found to be satisfactory, an approval notice is issued.
• The second is known as the Building Notice procedure and simply involves completing the Building Notice application form and paying the appropriate fee.

See related documents to download the form or complete online.

Full plans application

Must include:

• The completed application form, estimated cost of work (where applicable) and the appropriate plan fee. The second part of the total fee is payable after the first visit to site. Where applicable the applicant/owner will be sent an invoice for the inspection fee at this stage. see how you can pay an inspection fee invoice (pdf, 42 KB). There will be no further fee payable for any subsequent inspections.
• Two copies of the detailed drawings of the proposed building work are required. The plans should be drawn to a scale of not less than 1:100.
• Two copies of a site or location plan drawn to a scale of not less that 1:1250 which shows the proposal and site boundaries.
• Two copies of any specification that accompanies the drawings.
• Two copies of structural design and calculations (where applicable).

Please note: unlike the building notice, full plans applications are checked in detail and a formal decision notice is issued. Because of the additional information that is almost always required in the case of lofts, we would advise applicants to submit a full plans application.

Building notice submission

Must include:

• A completed building notice application form
• If the proposal is for a new building or extension, a location plan to a scale of not less than 1:1250 showing the location and the boundaries of the site
• The appropriate fee and estimate if required.

Please note:

A building notice may not be used for any building subject to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. i.e. most commercial, industrial and retail premises and flat developments with common parts.

Building notices are most suited to small domestic works but can be used for new houses or extensions. No formal decision notices are issued but your building notice will be acknowledged.

When a building notice has been submitted, the Building Control section may ask for as necessary, any plans of the work or calculations.

Delays will occur with either kind of application if the forms are not completed, the required information is not submitted or the correct fee is not enclosed.

Electronic applications

If you would like to submit your application electronically, please follow the Submit–a–Plan link. However, you are still required to submit your fee either by post or in person (cheques/postal orders made payable to Bristol City Council) as we are unable to accept credit card payments.

We accept the following formats:

• Microsoft Word (.doc)
• Adobe Acrobat PDF (.pdf)
• Microsoft Excel (.xls)