Building Works Commencement Notices Submission

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.

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).

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.

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.

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).

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
7. Certificates of Compliance signed by the Builder and the Assigned Certifier undertaking to carry-out their roles inaccordance with the requirements of the Building Regulations.
8. 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:

In relation to Commencement Notices accompanied with a Declaration to Opt-out of Statutory Certification (Op-out Commencement Notice) for a new single dwelling on a single unit development, please note that the following must be submitted with your commencement notice:

• Design/Construction Drawings showing how the building complies with the Building Regulations parts A to M
• Drawings must show Key construction details - junction of foundations, Floor/walls, window head, door head and Junction walls/roof
• Fire doors and protected corridor must be shown on drawings for 3 storey houses (including converted attics)
• Preliminary Part L report for the building
• Ventilation strategy – natural or mechanical with calculations for the building
• Where it is intended to use a Modern Method of Construction, valid Agreement Certificates must be submitted

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 forplanning 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.  Where notices and documentation are submitted in written format, the building control authority willarrange for scanning and uploading of same for which an administrative charge will apply and statutory deadlines relating to such notices may be delayed by up to seven days.

(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.

Submitting a Seven Day Statutory Notice

A 7 Day Notice must be received here at least 7 days prior to commencement of work and must be accompanied by a signed and witnessed 7 Day Statutory Declaration‌. Along with the notice, declaration and relevant fee you must submit the following:-

Application for Fire Safety Certificate 

Viewing Commencement Notices and 7 Day Notices

The Register is available to view at the following link. Contact us at 01 8905000 or email [email protected] for further information.

Fee for a Seven-Day Notice

€250 or €5.80 per square metre of floor area being provided, whichever is the greater, for works in connection with:

The construction or extension of a building

(i)the material alteration of the interior of a building

(ii)the material alteration of the external surfaces of a building (€250 fixed fee)

(iii)a combination of (i) and (ii) above

a building in which a material change of use takes place

However, for works or a building where use is agricultural the fee is €130.00 or €1.60 for each square metre in excess of 300 square metres of:

(i) gross floor area being provided or

(ii) relevant floor area

as case may be, whichever is the greater. 

Viewing Commencement Notices and 7 Day Notices

The Register is available to view at the following link. Contact us at 01 8905000 or email    [email protected]  for further information.

Contact Us:

Visit us at the Planning Counter: County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Co. Dublin.

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday: 9.30 to 4.30pm.