Commencement Notices

Commencement notices and when are they needed

Commencement notices give notice to the building control authority of the intention to carry out any works or a change of use on their property.

The notice must be submitted on the Building Control Management System (BCMS) website not less than 14 days and not more than 28 days before the commencement of the works or the material change of use.

Work should start on site within two weeks of the commencement notice being issued by Longford County Council. The commencement notice may be declared invalid if works have not started when inspected. 

Subject to exemptions, commencement notices are required for:

• The erection of a building
• The material alteration or extension of a building
• The material change of use of a building
• Works in connection with the material alteration (excluding minor works) of a shop, office or industrial building
  
  

Commencement notice fees

Commencement notice fees are as follows: 

• Commencement notice for one house: €30
• Commencement notice for one house with a garage (in other words, two structures): €60
• Commencement notice for a housing development: €30 per house within the development (for example, 20 houses will mean a €600 commencement notice fee)
  
  

Where can I find more information?

For more information, visit the Building Control Management System (BCMS) website.