Building Safety Levy
The Building Safety Levy is a government charge on certain major residential developments in England from 1 October 2026. The developer, referred to as the client, is responsible for paying any levy due.
Important: Where a levy is payable, the relevant completion or final certificate cannot be issued or accepted until the levy has been paid in full.
When the levy applies
From 1 October 2026, you must provide Building Safety Levy information with a full plans application, higher-risk building application or initial notice where the work involves new dwellings or purpose-built student accommodation.
A levy may be payable if the development:
- provides at least 10 net additional dwellings or 30 net additional PBSA bedspaces;
- creates new residential floorspace; and
- does not qualify for an exemption.
The wider development covered by the planning permission may be relevant, even if the application only relates to one phase.
Exempt development
Certain people, dwellings and types of accommodation are exempt from the Building Safety Levy. Different definitions, conditions and evidence requirements apply.
View the types of development that may be exempt
Exemptions include qualifying forms of:
- social and affordable housing;
- supported housing;
- school accommodation;
- accommodation for victims of domestic abuse;
- hospitals;
- children’s homes and residential family centres;
- hotels and hostels;
- monasteries, nunneries and similar establishments;
- care homes and hospices;
- secure residential accommodation;
- almshouses;
- temporary accommodation for homeless people;
- armed forces accommodation; and
- certain Crown and Ministry of Defence development.
Important: Inclusion in this list does not by itself confirm that a development is exempt. You may need to provide information and evidence to demonstrate that an exemption applies.
Process for calculating and paying the levy
1. Include levy information with your application
You must include the required Building Safety Levy information with your building control application or initial notice.
- Applications and initial notices without the required information will be rejected.
- You must provide the information even if you believe the development is exempt.
2. Submit detailed information at commencement
Before starting work, you must submit the first commencement notice with the required levy charging information and supporting evidence.
Where a Registered Building Control Approver is overseeing the work, the client must send a copy of the commencement notice, levy information and supporting evidence to the collecting authority within two working days.
3. Receive the levy decision
Once the required commencement-stage information and supporting evidence have been received and assessed, the collecting authority will issue either:
- a Levy Liability Notice, confirming the amount payable; or
- a Notice of No Charge, confirming that no levy is payable.
The notice will normally be issued within:
- five weeks of receiving all the required information; or
- eight weeks where the application is selected for a spot check.
4. Pay any levy due
Any levy due must be paid in full before the relevant completion or final certificate can be issued or accepted.
CNC levy rates
The levy is charged per square metre of chargeable residential floorspace. Floorspace is measured using Gross Internal Area, or GIA.
| Local authority area | Standard rate | Previously developed land rate |
|---|---|---|
| Broadland | £29.89 per m² | £14.95 per m² |
| Fenland | £21.23 per m² | £10.62 per m² |
| King’s Lynn and West Norfolk | £21.16 per m² | £10.58 per m² |
| Norwich | £30.63 per m² | £15.31 per m² |
| South Norfolk | £28.84 per m² | £14.42 per m² |
Previously developed land: The discounted rate applies where at least 75% of the relevant site meets the statutory definition of previously developed land. You will need to provide evidence that the site qualifies. Otherwise, the standard rate will apply.
Contact CNC
If you are unsure whether the levy applies to your development or what information you need to provide, email buildingsafetylevy@cncbuildingcontrol.gov.uk.