Building Control is about ensuring high standards in
construction work, protecting the health and safety of people
in or about buildings and making sure that the
requirements of people with disabilities are met.
This site aims to provide useful information for architects,
surveyors, developers and contractors.
Our brochure has been designed to supplement this information.
It may be downloaded or alternatively hard copies are available on
request.
Download the Building Control
brochure (1.7mb)
The City is divided into three geographical
areas for Building Control purposes - please
use the map to find out which area your work falls into and to
find relevant contact details. Alternatively, tel 020 7332 1000 or
email and
we will be pleased to help.
What's new - this page brings you the latest news from
City of London Building Control, currently including details of
legislative changes and links to useful supporting information.
Where to find us
Please see the map to find out where our office is located.
Download a map PDF here (837kb)
How to contact us
District Surveyor’s Office
Department of Environmental Services
City of London
PO Box 270, Guildhall
London EC2P 2EJ
Tel 020 7332 1000
Fax 020 7332 1968
Email
-
Building
control - applications
- The council is responsible for ensuring that buildings are
properly designed and constructed so as to ensure the health,
safety, welfare and convenience of people using them. All buildings
should comply with the current Building Regulations (issued in
1991) . The local authority inspect plans for new buildings to
check compliance with regulations and periodically inspect the site
during construction to ensure approved plans are adhered to. In
Scotland the local authority is responsible for ensuring that the
construction, alteration, extension, demolition and conversion of
buildings are conducted so as to ensure the health, safety, welfare
and convenience of citizens. The requirements are set by the
Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as amended 2006). The local
authority will inspect plans for new buildings to check compliance
with regulations and periodically inspect sites during construction
to ensure approved plans are adhered to. When the local authority
is satisfied that with the plans they will issue a Building Warrant
the legal permission to commence.
-
Demolition - control and
advice
- Owners wishing to demolish a building must give notice to the
local authority under Section 80 of The Building Act 1984 and if
all is satisfactory Building Control will issue a consent notice
with a schedule of requirements including termination of services.
When demolition has taken place the site should be cleared and made
safe.
-
Demolition -
enforcement
- The council deal with incidents of nuisance being caused as a
result of demolition work. This includes noise, smoke and
obstruction/damage to pavements and verges.
-
Derelict properties
- public safety
- Ensuring that long-term empty properties are secure and do not
pose any risk to the public. In some circumstances the council may
compulsorily purchase such properties for renovation or
demolition.
-
Energy -
efficiency advice and assessment
- The council will provide advice on energy efficiency and carry
out an assessment of a property. The SAP is the Government's
recommended system for energy rating of dwellings. The Standard
Assessment Procedure is used for calculating the SAP rating, on a
scale from 1 to 120, based on the annual energy costs for space and
water heating and also for calculating the Carbon Index, on a scale
of 0.0 to 10.0, based on the annual CO2 emissions associated with
space and water heating. The SAP rating is used to fulfil
requirements of the Building Regulations to notify and display an
energy rating in new dwellings.
-
Licence -
building materials
- A licence is required for placing building materials on any
part of a highway. Licences are only issued in exceptional
circumstances for any duration up to a month. The applicant can
extend this before the granted license expires. In Scotland if you
propose to occupy or open part of a road (i.e.. carriageway,
footway, footpath or cycle path etc), there is a requirement under
the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to obtain permission from the local
Roads Authority. This is done by applying for the relevant
permit.
-
Licence -
highway projection
- Under Sections 177 and 178 of the Highways Act 1980 or Roads
Scotland Act 1984 (section 59) a local authority is responsible for
processing applications for licences are required for any display
or temporary construction which may protrude or project over a
public highway.
-
Licence - scaffolding
and hoarding
- Any scaffold or hoarding which encroaches or projects over the
Highway requires a scaffold permit. These permits are only issued
to the scaffolding company. In Scotland if you propose to occupy or
open part of a road (i.e.. carriageway, footway, footpath or cycle
path etc), there is a requirement under the Roads (Scotland) Act
1984 to obtain permission from the local Roads Authority. This is
done by applying for the relevant permit.
-
Skip permits
- If you propose to occupy or open part of a road (i.e..
carriageway, footway, footpath or cycle path etc), there is a
requirement under the Highways Act 1980 or the Roads (Scotland) Act
1984 to obtain permission from the local Roads Authority. This is
done by applying for the relevant permit.