Building control: step-by-step guide

Most types of building work need building control approval. This includes:

construction of new buildings
extension of existing buildings
changes to building layout or structure
providing services or fittings to a building such as sanitary facilities, drainage and fuel burning appliances

Building control makes sure that works comply with building regulations. We work with builders and architects to make sure that projects are safe, energy-efficient and accessible.

Building control is different from planning permission and you might need both.

Find out about building control exemptions on the LABC website
Use our online tool to find out if you need planning permission

You do not need to get approval yourself if you use someone registered with a competent person scheme.

1. Before you apply

Check if your building project needs building control approval. GOV.UK has more information about when you need to apply.

Contact our technical support team if you are:

planning works that cost more than £900,000
not sure if you need to apply

Email [email protected]

Higher-risk buildings

If you are planning work to a higher-risk building, you need to apply to the Building Safety Regulator instead.

A higher-risk building is defined as having at least:

7 storeys or is at least 18 metres high
2 residential units or is a hospital or a care home

You can view a list of the higher-risk buildings in Camden.

2. Apply for building control

You can apply for approval from us or with a Registered Building Control Approver. If you use a Registered Approver, they will tell us about the work.

There are 2 main types of building control application, full plans and building notice.

Certain types of work or buildings are exempt from building control. The Local Authority Building Control (LABC) website has more about building control exemptions.

Type 1: Building notice

You can submit a building notice application for smaller domestic works which will not affect the layout of the building. You should appoint trusted professionals for this work such as an architect or builder.

You do not need to submit detailed plans and can start the work within 2 days of applying. You will not get formal approval. Our surveyors will inspect your site to check that the work meets regulations.

More information about how to apply with building notice

Type 2: Full plans application

A full plans application is the safest option, as you will submit details of your project in advance. This is recommended for any building work, but especially a larger project.

We will review your plans and consult with any relevant authorities. You will receive a decision within 6 weeks, or 2 months for more complex proposals. If approved, you can begin work on your project with more certainty about how much it will cost.

You must make a full plans application if you are a leaseholder in a residential property, or if the works:

relate to a ‘designated use’, such as shops, offices, railways or hotels
are over a sewer
involve a building which fronts onto a private street

More information about building control with full plans

Other types of application

You will need to submit a different application for the following types of work:

Payment

Payment is taken as part of the online application process.

3. Receive a decision

If you submit a building notice application, you will not receive a formal decision. You can begin work 2 days after submitting your application and this will be inspected to make sure it complies with regulations.

If you submit a full plans application, we will give you a decision within 6 weeks.

Your application may be:

approved: you can begin the work
approved with conditions: you can begin the work providing you amend, or provide further plans
rejected: you need to make changes to your drawings and resubmit without a charge. If you carried out work without approval, you could be fined.

If the duty holder changes

If the duty holder changes before completion of the work then you must complete the change of duty holder form. A duty holder is identified as a client (e.g. developers, employers), designer, principal designer, contractor or principal contractor.

Tell us if the duty holder changes (PDF)

If work is not completed within 3 years

If your job has not started within 3 years of your application being validated, you will need to resubmit your application and pay any fees.

If work is stopped for more than 3 years after validation, there will be a minimum charge for 2 hours of surveyor time to review the original application plans. This charge is based on the hourly rate at the point of the job being restarted.

4. Book inspections

When your application is validated, we will tell you the name of the inspector who will work with you on your project.

The inspector needs to inspect all building works at the beginning and on completion of your project. You may also need other inspections, depending on the works you are doing and the type of application you submit.

You will be informed of how many inspections your project will require at the time of validation. You will receive an acknowledgement letter.

Find out more about building control inspections.

5. Completion of works

You must tell us when your work has been completed. If you do not do this, we cannot schedule a final inspection and issue your completion certificate. If the inspection does not take place within 3 years of the work finishing, there will be a minimum charge for 2 hours of the surveyor’s time to review the original application plans. This charge is based on the hourly rate at the point of the job being restarted.

6. Get a completion certificate

You will receive a completion certificate when:

all other appropriate certificates have been received
all building control charges have been paid
a surveyor has inspected the completed work and it complies with the regulations

Find out more about building control certificates.

7. If works were started without approval

You can apply for a certificate to certify works that were started or completed without building control approval. This is known as regularisation.

Find out more about building control regularisation.