Building Control and Regulations

New 20 % VAT rate from 1 January 2011

From 1 January 2011 the VAT rate changed from 17.5% to 20%

New Building Regulation Fees

Please take notice of updated Building Control Fees - effective from 18th May 2011 displayed at the bottom of this page - within the 'Additional Resources' section. The fees are displayed within Tables A to E

The Council is required under the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010 to produce and publish a Scheme and schedule of fees for use in determining the fee payable for all Building Regulation applications

Public Access online applications

At present the payment value displayed on the Public Access website is incorrect and should therefore be ignored. Please continue to submit your application as usual but select the option to "pay later". In order to obtain the correct fee please see the Building Control Price List displayed at the bottom of this page. For any queries or problems regarding a fee payment, please contact Raymond Sullivan on Tel: (01642) 526040

Use the Public Access - Online Building Control system to submit and review Building Regulation applications

Gloucester House, 72 Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees. Building Regulations apply to many aspects of building work carried out to all types of properties, e. g. houses, shops, offices, factories, schools, hospitals and warehouses. They apply to minor works such as replacing windows and doors, removing an internal load bearing wall, installing an additional toilet or converting the roof space to a room, as well as erecting new buildings and extending property. Building Regulations may also apply when a property changes its use, e.g. from a house into flats.
If you are thinking of carrying out building works, please check with the Council to establish if the work is subject to control under the Building Regulations.

The main purpose of the Building Regulations are to:

Promote conservation of energy
Secure the health and safety of people in and around buildings
Provide access to buildings and facilities, for people of all abilities

The regulations control the following areas:

Structural Stability
Fire Safety
Site Preparation & Resistance to Moisture
Toxic Substances
Resistance to the Passage of Sound
Ventilation
Hygiene
Drainage and Waste Disposal
Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Stairs, Ladders and Ramps
Conservation of Energy
Access to/Use of buildings
Glazing
Electrical Safety

Office opening times: Monday to Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm
Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

Building Control and Planning Customer Service Charter

Our pledge to you

We will:

Listen carefully whilst respecting confidentiality
Ensure that you are treated fairly and without discrimination
Provide clear information using plain English
Provide a friendly, approachable and professional service
Deal with complaints promptly & confidentially

Building Control & Planning Customer Service Standards

We will:

Aim to answer all calls within five rings (15 seconds)
Aim to return voice messages within 24 hours
Normally acknowledge emails on the same day and provide a response within 10 working days
Normally provide a response to all written correspondence and complaints within 10 working days
Aim to make help available within ten minutes of your arrival when visiting our reception area
Building Control Fast Track applications will be processed within three working days
Deal with all Planning applications within the statutory period
Maintain customer satisfaction above 75%

What happened when you asked for change?

You asked / We acted

You asked us to:

Ensure your telephone calls are dealt with in a more efficient manner

So we:

Provided extra training to Customer Service staff enabling them to transfer calls to the correct officers

You asked us to:

Inform you of any site inspections that we may make whilst you are away from home

So we:

Ensure a calling card will be left at the property providing details of the Surveyor that visited with a direct contact telephone number for you to use