Commencement Notices and Seven Day Notices

In accordance with the Building Control Regulations a Commencement Notice or a Seven Day Notice with a Seven Day Statutory Declaration needs to be submitted prior to commencement of the development.

Please note: In accordance with the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (S.I. 9) of 2014 from the 1st March, 2014 new Commencement Notices procedures apply.

Notice should be completed online on the National BCMS website (Building Control Management System). Additional documentation may be required to be submitted with the completed Commencement Notice.

A Commencement Notice must be received by the Building Control Authority not less than 14 days and not more than 28 days before work commences. 
 

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
  • Works or a change of use which requires neither planning permission, nor a Fire Safety Certificate

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

  • The design and construction of a new dwelling
  • Extension to a dwelling involving a total floor area greater than 40 square metres
  • Works to which Part III applies S.I. No. 496 of 1997 as amended

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:

  • General Arrangement Drawings
  • A schedule of design documents as are currently prepared or to be prepared
  • 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
  • The preliminary inspection plan
  • A Certificate of Compliance (Design)
  • 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
  • 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
  • It must be accompanied by the correct fee (€30.00 per building, up to a maximum of €3,800.00)

Along with the notice, the accompanying documentation and appropriate fee, evidence of the the items listed below (if applicable) must be submitted. Reference numbers should be included where applicable.

  • 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:

  • The designer and the assigned certifier must be a Chartered Engineer, or registered Architect or Registered Surveyor
  • A competent builder must execute the work
  • 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
  • Other documents which may be submitted to demonstrate compliance with Bulding Regulations include a Specification Document for the works, DEAP calculations, Part L compliance document.
  • The commencement notice and accompanying documentation must be filed electronically via the online Building Control Management System, click here.
  • Where notices and documentation are submitted in written format, the building control authority will arrange 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.

Please 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.
 

Single Dwellings and Extensions to Dwellings 

Under S.I. 365 of 2015, which came into effect on the 1st September 2015, owners of new single dwellings, on a single development unit, and domestic extensions, may opt out of the requirements for statutory certification. Compliance with Building Regulations must still be achieved and Building Control Procedures still apply.

For more information please visit the BCMS website, click here.

Information and further guidance can be found on the Information note for owners of new dwellings and extensions who opt out of Statutory Certification for building control purposes, click here.

For information about Fire Safety Certificates click here.

This service is provided by

Planning Development

Phone +353 61 556000
Location
Limerick City and County Council, Dooradoyle, Limerick V94 XF67