Building Control

Opening Hours

9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. weekdays.

Tel. + 353 21 4924550 / 4924038.

Fax. + 353 21 4924043.

email: building@corkcity.ie

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Aims and Objectives

The Building Control Department is involved with the administrative and technical process in the enforcement of the statutory building regulations. This Department also has functions concerning dangerous structures, private rented accommodation and safety advice.

Service Goals

1. to discharge duties and legal functions in an efficient, effective and customer orientated manner
2. to influence and promote good building practices in future developments within Cork City
3. to provide a surveying service to the Housing and Property Departments
4. to promote and assist in ensuring the Health, Safety and Welfare of all employees of Cork City Council

Sections

• Building Control and Dangerous Structures
• Private Rented Accommodation
• Safety Advisory Office
• Drainage and related Health Service Executive matters
• Building Control and Dangerous Structures

Services Provided

The work of the Building Control Department can be divided into the following categories:

• building control and dangerous structures
• private rented accommodation inspections
• loans, grants and dwelling inspections
• drainage and health hazards
• sports grounds and outdoor events
• safety advisory office

Areas of work

There are four Building Inspectors allocated to deal with the above duties. Each inspector deals with a quarter of the City.

At least one Building Inspector is available at all times without an appointment. Individual appointments can be made for other times.

• Building Control:
  
  The Building Inspectors carry out inspections of buildings under the construction and enforcement sections of the Building Control Act, 1990. The inspectors are available for discussion on Building Control matters with building owners and their advisors. Complaints made in relation to Building Control issues are pursued by the Inspectors and copies of commencement notices are available for public inspection.
• Dangerous structures and places:
  
  Complaints regarding dangerous structures and places, can be made by the public and are pursued by the relevant Building Inspector and a course of action is recommended. (Legal proceedings maybe instituted where necessary).
  
  Tel: 021 4924000 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday).
  
  The Department provides a 24 Hour service in relation to dangerous buildings. This service can be accessed through the City Fire Brigade telephone system (021) 4(966333) outside of normal hours.
• Loans, Grants in relation to Housing:
  
  This Department carries out inspections in relation to house loans and disabled persons grants as a service to the City Council's Housing Department.
• House purchase inspections: The Department provides a service to the Property Department by way of inspections of houses being considered for purchase into City Council's housing stock.
• Multi-storey buildings: A register is maintained of all multi-storey buildings as defined in the local Government (Multi-Storey Buildings) Act, 1988.

Private Rented Accommodation

The Department provides an inspection service for the Housing Department in relation to the implementation the Housing (Private Rented Accommodation) Regulations, 1996.

Two inspectors carry out inspections of privately rented accommodation to ensure that it is in compliance with the Regulations, and reports prepared are forwarded to the Housing Department.

Safety Advisory Officer

The Safety Advisory Officer is attached to the Building Control Department and is responsible for all health and safety issues within Cork City Council.

Drainage and Health Board Matters

Inspections are carried out by this Department on foot of complaints/requests received from the Southern region of the Health Service Executive or Cork City Council's Drainage Department where there are potential health hazards.

Commencement Notices

In 2004, 394 Commencement Notices were received. These were in respect of 635 buildings..

(Notice of Commencement pursuant to Part II of the Building Control Regulations 1997)

Classes of Records Held

• Commencement Notice register
• Dangerous Structures/places register
• Multi-storey building register
• Applications for and decisions on dispensation and relaxation of the Building Control Regulations
• Enforcement Notices
• Determination and directives by An Bord Pleanála
• Effect of decisions by District Court
• Building Bye-Law files
• Files on certain buildings of inspections in relation to applications to the Courts for licences for places of public entertainment, restaurants, gaming and lottery
• Files on inspections related to Building Control