Ensuring the health safety and welfare of all people in and around built environments.
The Building Regulations help ensure that new buildings, conversions, renovations and extensions (domestic or commercial) are going to be safe, healthy and high-performing.
Detailed regulations cover specific topics including: structural integrity, fire protection, accessibility, energy performance, acoustic performance, protection against falls, fuel safety.
They also lay standards for drains, ventilation, protection against the ingress of water and protection against contamination including methane and radon gas.
The Building (Guernsey) Regulations are defined by the States of Guernsey. Political responsibility for the delivery of the Building Control service and the development of the local regulations and deemed to satisfy guidance sits with the Development and Planning Authority.
What does Building Control deliver?
Building Control:
- Helps check that buildings are built to building regulations standards
- Educates and informs building professionals, contractors and trades people
- Applies penalties when a building or structure isn't approved by building control
- Promotes energy efficient and sustainable buildings
- Makes buildings accessible
- Checks that sports grounds, stadiums and public venues are safe for crowds
- Protects the public from building associated injury
- Helps keep build quality high
Approval from building control is also important when selling or re-mortgaging a home.
Building Control Licences
Building Control Guidance Notes
GN 01 - NOTIFIABLE EXEMPT BUILDINGS [333kb]
Making a Building Control Licence Application - Forms and Guidance
- Please Note that applications under the Building Regulations are separate to applications for planning permission.
- Before you submit an application you should establish whether you actually need to make an application for a licence under the Building Regulations, please check Do I need planning permission? for information about 'exempt buildings and work' which are listed in
- If you are not the owner of the property or land please ensure you have owner's authority. Please submit the completed and signed
- You will need to use a different form depending on the type of work you are carrying out:
Building Control Application Fees
- Fees are charged for Building Regulation applications but the costs of this vary depending on the type of proposal, unless you are entitled to an exemption or concession.
- Payments for applications may be made by cheque or BACS.
- Payments can also be made by credit or debit card at the Customer Counter at Edward T Wheadon House, Le Truchot. A receipt should be obtained by customers to add to their application. Card or cash payments cannot be made at Sir Charles Frossard House.
- Cheques may be made payable to "The States of Guernsey". American Express, Diners Club or JCB cards cannot be accepted.
- If you require assistance in order to calculate the correct application fee please contact the Duty Officer.
Building Regulations, Technical Standards and associated documents
BUILDING CONTROL WATER USE CALCULATOR (Excel 2007) [144kb]
Building Control Duty Officer
- Hopefully you will find all the Building Control information you need on our relevant webpages. However, should you still wish to speak to the Duty Building Control Surveyor please e-mail planning@gov.gg or alternatively telephone 01481 226200 between 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday. Your enquiry will then be passed to the duty surveyor and they will contact you directly.
- Please note:
- The Duty Building Control Officer is able to provide general guidance only and cannot provide site specific advice.
- To discuss an application that you have already submitted please contact the allocated Officer on 01481 226200 or contact us.
- If you are not the owner of the property or land please ensure you have owner's authority. Please submit the completed and signed Owners Declaration [106kb] with your enquiry.
Choosing Traders and Service Providers
- We are unable to advise the public on which builder or service provider to undertake building work. However when choosing builders and other service providers you may wish to consider the following general advice:
- ⇒ Start with referrals from family or friends who have recently had work done
- ⇒ Obtain estimates in writing from two or three builders and ask them to confirm whether planning permission is required. You can also make your own enquiries with us.
- ⇒ Ask each builder for two or three references from previous customers, contact these people and find out how happy they were with the work carried out and the builder's conduct. Ask to see examples of work undertaken and if possible view some completed work.
- ⇒ Ensure the builder belongs to a respected trade organisation which has membership standards and requirements. Contact the trade organisation to ensure the membership is current.
- ⇒ You should make an agreement or contract in writing with your builder that outlines the work to be done, date of completion, security and safety, catering and lavatory arrangements, disposal of waste materials, hours of work and so on.
- ⇒ Ask to see the builder's public liability insurance certificate. Please note that building work may affect your home and contents insurance so contact your own insurance company.
- ⇒ Deposits are usually only payable where specific or custom-made materials are required or where the project will take a long time to complete. Agree a payment schedule in writing.
Building Regulation Exemptions
The following may be exempt from the need for a Building Regulation Licence:
- Conservatory
- Covered yard or way
- Sheds
- Greenhouses
- Carport
- Temporary buildings
- Porch
- Ancillary buildings
- Detached garage
Detailed information can be found in the GN 01 Exempt Buildings and Works [333kb] and if the work you intend to undertake falls under one of these groups you can submit an Exempt Work Notification Form [471kb] filling out the necessary information.
If you are not the owner of the property or land please ensure you have owner's authority. Please submit the completed and signed Owners Declaration [255kb] with your enquiry.
