Building regulations

Building control is concerned with the health and safety of people in and around buildings.  We make sure buildings are constructed in a safe and stable manner, comply with energy conservation requirements and have suitable access and facilities for building users.

The Building Regulations and Standards Team will help you through the process of complying with national building standards. 

Here is a list of some of the services we provide:

Electronic online applications

Submit your application electronically on the Submit-a-Plan website. However, you will still need to send your fee either by post or in person (cheques/postal orders made payable to Bristol City Council). You can send your documents in the following formats:

• Microsoft Word (.doc)
• Adobe Acrobat PDF (.pdf)
• Microsoft Excel (.xls)

Dangerous structures

A 365 days a year, 24 hour emergency inspection service. The team has emergency powers to make sure that buildings or structures posing a risk to the public are made safe.  Find out more about this service.

Building regulations

The examination of submitted building regulation applications.  Carrying out construction inspections to make sure that the regulations are met on site.

Enforcement

On a day-to-day basis building regulation enforcement is carried out on an informal basis.

Pre-application advice

Free advice to developers of major schemes.

A structural engineering service

To examine building regulation applications in relation to structural issues.  Inspecting work on site along with with normal building regulation inspections.

Safety at sports grounds

The service is a statutory consultee under safety at sports grounds legislation and is represented on the 'Safety Advisory Group' (SAG).

Control of demolition

Where conducting demolition works there is a statutory requirement to serve notice on us. This team serves counter notices that contain requirements to ensure safe demolition and ensures that neighbours and other interested parties including the utility companies are consulted.  Find out more about this service.

General advice

Free advice is available about the Building Regulations including exemptions that do not require an application. Various leaflets are constantly being reviewed and are available in the following pages along with frequently asked questions.

Party Wall Act

We cannot advise about general party wall issues.  The Chief Building Control surveyor as Appointing Officer under the Act can appoint a third surveyor where two surveyors cannot agree.