Disability Access Certificate

You must apply to the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office for a certificate if you construct a new building, carry out alterations or change the use of a specified existing building. This confirms that a building complies with disability access requirements before it is occupied or used.

  1. What is a Disability Access Certificate (DAC)?
  2. When is one required?
  3. What is the fee?
  4. How can I apply?
  5. Further information

What is a Disability Access Certificate (DAC)?

A Disability Access Certificate is a certificate granted by a Building Control Authority which certifies compliance of the design of certain works (e.g. new buildings (except dwelling houses), some extensions to, and some material alterations to buildings (except dwelling houses) with the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations. 

You must apply for a Disability Access Certificate for some new buildings and some alterations and extensions to existing buildings.

A disability access certificate (DAC) shows that you have made adequate provision for people with disabilities by complying with Part M of the Building Regulations 1997-2010.

You must apply for a disability access certificate (DAC) for all new buildings (including apartments, but not houses)

When is one required?

A Disability Access Certificate is required for the following classes of buildings:

  • The construction of a new building
  • The material alteration (excluding minor works) of a day centre, a hotel, hostel or guest building, or an institutional building, or a place of assembly, or a shopping centre
  • The material alteration of a shop, office or industrial building where the building is being subdivided into a number of units for separate occupancy, or additional floor area is being provided within the building
  • The extension of a building by more than 25 square meters
  • The material change of use into a day centre, a hotel, hostel or guest building, an institutional building, a place of assembly, a shop (which is not ancillary to the primary use of the building), or a shopping centre

A Disability Access Certificate is not required for the following:

  • An agricultural building
  • A dwelling (other than a flat)
  • A garage ancillary to a dwelling
  • Certain other buildings ancillary to a dwelling
  • A building used solely to enable inspection, repair or maintenance of fixed plant, building services, or machinery
  • A material change of use where; an office, or an industrial building becomes so used
  • A material change of use to which Section 3(3) of the Building Control Act 1990, as amended applies
  • The material alteration to a flat

What is the fee?

The fee is €800 per building.

How can I apply?

Applications for Disability Access Certificate, Revised Disability Access Certificate and Dispensation/Relaxation should be submitted online on the Building Control Management System (BCMS). 

A BCMS account is required to submit applications. Please logon to register an account.

Payments are also made on the BCMS.

How long will a Disability Access Certificate take to process?

It can take up to eight weeks for a decision to be made on a valid application for a Disability Access Certificate. It may take longer if this is agreed with the applicant and the Building Control Authority.

Further information 

You can check the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government’s FAQs for more information.

National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office

Note: The information contained here is intended to present a guide and is not a definitive legal interpretation of the building control laws.