About Building Control in Dublin

Building Control Authority

Building Control supports building owners, designers and builders to deliver compliant, sustainable and high-quality buildings. 

Building Control inspect active construction sites and new buildings to make sure that they comply with the Building Regulations. Dublin City Council building surveyors and building inspectors carry out a large number of these inspections every year across the city.  Sites are chosen for inspection based on risk, complexity and the national Framework for Building Control Authorities. 

The building control authority of Dublin City Council enforces the building regulations made under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2025.

Building Standards

The Building Standards are technical construction standards that apply to the design and construction of new buildings and extensions. They also apply to material alterations or certain changes of use of existing buildings. They exist to: 

• secure the safety, health and welfare of people
• conserve fuel and energy
• provide for access to buildings
• encourage good building practice

Building Regulations

The Building Control Regulations are a set of procedures you must complete. They will help you to comply with the technical Building Standards. This includes: 

Commencement Notices

Commencement Notices must be submitted to Building Control when a person intends to construct a new building, carry out alteration works, extend a building or make a material change of use to a building. Find more information on Commencement Notices.

Seven-Day Notices

A Seven-Day Notice allows construction to commence before a Fire Safety Certificate is officially granted. It must be submitted at least seven days before the work starts. It must be accompanied by a valid Fire Safety Certificate application, statutory declaration, and fee. It is used to fast-track commercial, large-scale residential, or complex developments. Find more information on Seven-Day Notices.

Fire Safety Certificates

A fire safety certificate application is required for the construction of a building, extensions to a building a material alteration to a building or a material change of use of a building. Find more information through the Dublin Fire Brigade.

Disability Access Certificates

A Disability Access Certificate shows that a new building makes adequate provision for people with disabilities by complying with Part M of the Building Regulations. Find more information on Disability Access Certificates.

Certificates of Compliance on Completion

This certificate proves new buildings or major extensions comply with Irish Building Regulations. It must be signed by an Assigned Certifier and the builder and then registered before the building can be occupied.

Submitting or Applying for Building Control Documents

Building Control records and notifications are managed through a national online system called Building Control Management System (BCMS).  

Visit the BCMS website to submit your documents or applications.

Find more information on Commencement Notices, Disability Access Certificates, Building Energy Rating Certificates and the Construction Product Regulations on the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office.

Amendments

Since 1 July 2021 you no longer need to forward a hard copy of the statutory declaration to Building Control when lodging a Seven-Day Notice. Please retain the original document with your records. We will request it if required. 

Read the full wording of the ammendment.