Building regulations approval is required in many cases to ensure your proposed building work complies with health and safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility standards as set out in the UK Building Regulations. Use the links above to check whether you need to apply for building regulations approval, and find out what type of application you need. 

If your building work does require approval, you must make the application before you start work. If you have submitted a building notice, suitable for smaller, straightforward domestic works, you’ll be able to start work 48 hours after submission. If you have applied for building control approval with full plans, ideal for larger or more complex projects requiring detailed checks before work begins, you will usually receive a decision notice within five weeks. 

We encourage all dutyholders including homeowners, builders and agents to familiarise themselves with building regulation requirements. Alongside our online guidance, we’ll work with you throughout your project to help ensure compliance.  

You can apply for building regulations approval via our online portal, which will provide the forms you need. Alternatively, download the forms you need below and submit your application by email.  

Our online portal is called submitaplan and will help you make an application quickly and securely. It's free and easy to use, has the forms you need and allows for upload of supporting documents. You will be able to track the progress of your application in the portal.

Use the portal to:

• request a quote – get an estimate based on your project type and scope
• submit a full plans application
• submit a building notice
• submit a regularisation application – for work that has already been carried out without prior approval
• submit a reversion application
• submit a high-risk building project application

To report a dangerous structure or submit a demolition notice use our demolition notices page.

If you prefer to apply via email, follow these steps:

1. download the appropriate application form using the links below
2. read the guidance notes for your chosen form
3. review our fees and charges
4. email your completed form and documents to building.control@crawley.gov.uk 

Use these documents when making an application via email. You do not need to download them if using the portal to apply.

After you submit your application, we will invoice you for any fees due and send you a link to pay online.  Details of all charges are on our building control fees page.

Building control approval is valid for three years from the date of your application. If work does not start in this time frame it will expire. However, as long as work starts before this date, the application is valid indefinitely.

To reduce the risk of non-compliance we strongly advise that you wait until your application has been approved before starting any work.

When you are ready to start work, you or your builder will need to arrange an initial site inspection and further inspections at various stages throughout the project. At these inspections our building control surveyor will check that the works complies with building regulations and with your approved plans (for a full plans application).

When all stages of the works have been inspected and have met the regulations, a completion certificate will be issued.

If your application is rejected, you or your agent will need to submit more information or make alterations to the plans. Once we have all the required information and they meet requirements, your application will be approved. 

You won’t need to reapply unless your plans change significantly.