How to apply for alteration or addition work in existing buildings (including installation of glass panels, advertisement signboards and TV display on external walls)?

Contents

• Confirmation of the type of alteration and addition works
• Application procedures
• Application fees
• Reference

Confirmation of the type of alteration and addition works

Property owners should first confirm which category the planned alteration and addition works fall under. If a property owner is in doubt whether the proposed works require approval from Building Department (BD), he/she can consult Authorised Persons (AP)  ( Please click here for the list). AP can make careful considerations based on the design of works together with the condition of the existing building structure and provide professional advice.

• Minor Works Item, including Windows, window walls or curtain walls /  Projecting signboardworks as described in Schedule 1 - Part 3 - Division 2 of the Building (Minor works) Regulation:
  • Property owner must notify the BD before and/or after the works commence in accordance with the “Minor Works Control System” (MWCS) without the need for obtaining approval and consent from BD.
  • Depending on their nature, scale and complexity and the risk they pose to safety, appointment of Prescribed Building Professionals (PBP) and/or Prescribed Registered Contractors (PRC) is required. Please click for the details of Types of Minor Works and Procedures for carrying out the Minor Works under simplified requirements.

• Designated Exempted Works:

  • They can be carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department and without following the simplified requirements of MWCS.

• Other works:

  • If the works do not fall under Minor Works or Designated Exempted Works, please refer to the following application procedures, fees, and reference below.

Application procedures

1. A property owner cannot apply for alteration and addition work from the Buildings Department (BD) on his own.  He/she is required to appoint an authorized person (AP) and also if so required, a registered structural  engineer (RSE) to follow up the application for approval from BD. For the list of related professionals, please click here. The property owner and the appointed AP should  inform BD and complete Notice of appointment of authorized person and/or registered structural engineer and/or registered geotechnical engineer (BA4).
2. AP and RSE should prepare and submit plans of the proposed works for the approval of BD.  The processing time for the first submission is:

• BD will approve or reject the first submission within 60 calendar days.  After 45 days, AP may enquire whether the submission is fundamentally acceptable.
• Submission will be processed within 30 days if the following conditions are met:
  • The works are simple alterations or addition work which does not affect the structure of the parent building;
  • AP/RSE confirms that the works meet the requirements of the Buildings Ordinance; and
  • Referral to other government departments (except Fire Services Department) is not necessary.

3. If the plan is not approved, AP may rectify the issues and re-submit the plan to BD.  Normally BD will inform AP whether the plan is approved within 30 days. 
4. If the plan is approved, AP can apply for consent to commence building works, BD will issue consent or refuse to give consent to commence building works within 28 days.
5. Upon completion of works, AP will submit a certificate of completion of building works to BD.  
6. BD will conduct inspections and issue a confirmation letter if it is satisfied with the works.

Application fees

BD will charge fees per plan at the time of plan submission as plan viewing charges.  Please refer to “Payment of Fees on Submission of Plans” in “Schedule of Fees and Charges” in BD’s website.

Reference

BD has published guidelines on the following works for reference:

• Guidelines on the installation of large glass panels, please click here (PDF).
• Guidelines on the installation of advertisement signboards, please click here (PDF).
• Guidelines on the installation of glass panels external walls, large signboards and TV displays, please click here (PDF).