Head 82 - Buildings Department

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

Controlling officer: the Director of Buildings will account for expenditure under this Head.

Estimate 2024–25 ..................................................................................................................................

$2,110.1m

Establishment ceiling 2024–25 (notional annual mid-point salary value) representing an estimated

2 103 non-directorate posts as at 31 March 2024 rising by 14 posts to 2 117 posts as at

31 March 2025 ........................................................................................................................................

$1,287.2m

In addition, there will be an estimated 32 directorate posts as at 31 March 2024 and as at

31 March 2025.

Controlling Officer’s Report

Programme

Buildings and Building Works

This programme contributes to Policy Area 22: Buildings, Lands,

Planning, Heritage Conservation, Greening and Landscape

(Secretary for Development) and Policy Area 31: Housing

(Secretary for Housing).

Detail

2022–23

2023–24

2024–25

(Actual)

(Original)

(Revised)

(Estimate)

Financial provision ($m)

1,877.8

1,949.7

2,005.5

2,110.1

(+2.9%)

(+5.2%)

(or +8.2% on

2023–24 Original)

Aim

2 The aim is to promote building safety; set and enforce safety, health and environmental standards for private

buildings; and improve the quality of building development.

Brief Description

3 With this aim, the Department provides services to owners and occupants in both existing and new private

buildings through the enforcement of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO).

4 As regards existing buildings, the work of the Department includes reducing dangers and nuisances caused by

unauthorised building works (UBWs) including signboards; promoting proper and timely repairs and maintenance of

buildings, drainage and slopes; scrutinising and approving alteration and addition works; processing minor works

submissions; improving fire safety measures in buildings; and providing advice on the suitability of premises for the issue

of licences.

5 As regards new buildings, the Department scrutinises and approves building plans, carries out audit checks on

construction works and site safety, and issues occupation permits upon completion of new buildings.

6 In 2023, the Department continued to take enforcement action against UBWs and to require building owners to

carry out necessary inspection and repairs to dilapidated buildings. In addition, the Department:

Existing Buildings

• continued the large scale operation (LSO) on comprehensive clearance of UBWs on rooftops, flat roofs, yards and

lanes, as well as unauthorised basements in target buildings;

• continued the LSO on inspection of sub-divided flats in target domestic/composite buildings and industrial

buildings, and rectification of irregularities of building works associated with the sub-divided flats;

• continued the LSO on removal of large unauthorised signboards and on removal of unauthorised signboards on

target streets as well as the implementation of the Signboard Validation Scheme;

• continued to follow up pursuant to the one-off special operation to inspect the common means of escape of targeted

domestic and composite buildings aged 60 or above to ensure fire and building safety;

• continued to follow up pursuant to the one-off special scheme to inspect external drainage systems of all private

residential and composite buildings exceeding three storeys (Special Inspection Scheme) to protect public health

and safety;

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

• continued conducting village by village (V-by-V) surveys of New Territories exempted houses (NTEHs) to

identify UBWs that constitute serious contravention of the law and pose higher potential risks to building

safety (First Round Targets) for priority enforcement action;

• completed the consultancy study on the use of information technology to enhance efficiency of enforcement

against dangerous or abandoned signboards;

• continued the public education and publicity campaign to disseminate building safety messages, including

information against unauthorised removal or alteration of structural walls in domestic premises, to stakeholders to

foster a building safety culture;

• in collaboration with the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), continued to implement Operation Building

Bright 2.0 (OBB 2.0), and initiated tripartite efforts with the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the URA to

collaboratively assist owners of old and dilapidated buildings to comply with the requirements of the Mandatory

Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS) to protect public safety; and

• in collaboration with the URA, continued to implement the Building Drainage System Repair Subsidy

Scheme (DRS) to assist owners of old and dilapidated residential and composite buildings to repair and/or upgrade

the drains of their buildings.

New Buildings

• launched Stage 2 of the Electronic Submission Hub (ESH) and continued the development of the final Stage 3 of

the ESH for accepting electronic submissions under the BO;

• continued to develop a Building Information Modelling (BIM) plug-in tool to facilitate automated checking of

area calculations of general building plan submissions;

• continued the consultancy study to formulate a new Code of Practice for Seismic-resistant Building Design

Standards for the introduction of statutory seismic design requirements for new buildings;

• continued the review of various building regulations, standards and codes of practice with a view to modernising

building design and construction standards;

• continued to prepare legislative amendments to the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage

Works and Latrines) Regulations (Cap. 123I) (B(SSFPDW&L)R) for transforming the existing prescriptive

requirements to performance-based standards, as well as rationalising and updating the relevant statutory

provisions;

• promulgated a new performance-based gross floor area (GFA) concession mechanism requiring new development

projects granted with GFA concession for green and amenity features to achieve a specific rating under the

Building Environmental Assessment Method Plus so as to further promote green buildings; and

• established Dedicated Processing Units (DPUs) to expedite the processing of general building plan submissions

for residential projects with 500 units or more.

7 The key performance measures in respect of buildings and building works are:

Targets

2022

2023

2024

Target

(Actual)

(Plan)

24-hour emergency services

responding to emergencies during office

hours (%)

within 1.5 hours for cases in urban

areas ..............................................

100

99.8

100

within two hours for cases in new

towns in New Territories (N.T.) ...

100

within three hours for cases in other

areas in N.T. ..................................

100

responding to emergencies outside office

hours (%)

within two hours for cases in urban

areas and new towns in N.T. .........

100

within three hours for cases in other

areas in N.T. ..................................

100

Non-emergency services for reports on

UBWs under construction

responding to reports within

48 hours (%) ...........................................

99.0

99.5

99.4

99.0

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

2022

2023

2024

Target

(Actual)

(Plan)

Existing Buildings

buildings targeted for inspection and repair

as default works under OBB 2.0 ............

300

330#

333#

300

buildings targeted for prescribed

inspection and, if necessary, prescribed

repair under MBIS◊ ...............................

600

607

600

buildings targeted for prescribed window

inspection and, if necessary, prescribed

window repair under Mandatory

Window Inspection Scheme (MWIS)◊ ..

600

637ə

600

NTEHs inspected under the V-by-V

surveys for identification of UBWs that

constitute serious contravention of the

law and pose higher potential risks for

priority enforcement action ....................

4 000

4 029

4 221

6 500˄

buildings targeted for drainage

investigation and repair as default

works under DRS ...................................

350

439

384

350

buildings targeted for removal of UBWs

on rooftops, flat roofs, yards, lanes and

basementsΩ ............................................

buildings targeted for rectification of

irregularities associated with

sub-divided flats including those for

domestic use in industrial buildings .......

100

prescribed commercial premises inspected

for improvement of fire safety

measures .................................................

specified commercial buildings inspected

for improvement of fire safety

measures .................................................

composite/domestic buildings inspected

for improvement of fire safety

measures‡ ...............................................

400

406

402

400

industrial buildings inspected

for improvement of fire safety

measures .................................................

advising on restaurants and places of

public entertainment licence

applications under the Application

Vetting Panel system within

12 working days (%) ..............................

98.0

99.7

99.0

98.0

making existing building and minor works

records in electronic form available for

public viewing in Building Information

Centre within three working days (%) ...

100

99.5

100

New Buildings

processing building plans

within 60 days for

new submissions (%) ....................

90.0

96.3

97.7

90.0

within 30 days for

re-submissions (%) ........................

90.0

96.9

98.7

90.0

processing within 28 days applications for

consent to commence building

works (%) ...............................................

90.0

97.5

98.7

90.0

approving general building plan

submissions of high-yield residential

projects on the first or second

submission (%)γ .....................................

—

100

processing within 14 days applications

for occupation permits (%) ....................

100

The higher numbers in 2022 and 2023 were due to operations funded under the Anti-epidemic Fund.

◊

Buildings targeted refer to buildings selected by a selection panel each year for issuing statutory notices. If

such a building is found demolished or soon to be demolished before the statutory notice is served, it will be

replaced by another building from a reserve list endorsed by the selection panel.

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

The higher number in 2022 was due to inclusion of more buildings with reports of fallen windows received in

2022 requiring inspection by property owners under the MWIS.

The higher estimated number in 2024 is due to enhanced use of drones and streamlined workflow in carrying

out the V-by-V surveys.

Revised description of the previous target “buildings targeted for removal of UBWs on rooftops, flat roofs,

yards and lanes” as from 2024 to clarify that the coverage of UBWs includes basement.

‡

Revised description of the previous target “composite buildings inspected for improvement of fire safety

measures” as from 2024. In accordance with the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (Cap. 572) (FS(B)O), a

phased approach is adopted in implementing the fire safety improvement programme. Inspection of target

domestic buildings will commence in 2024 after the completion of inspection of all target composite buildings.

New target as from 2023 when DPUs were set up in March 2023 for residential projects with 500 units or more

and not involving major planning, land or fire safety issues.

Indicators

2022

2023

2024

(Actual)

(Estimate)

24-hour emergency services

emergency reports attended to ................................................

631

983 Ω

700

Non-emergency services for reports on UBWs under

construction

reports attended to ..................................................................

1 442

1 193ϕ

1 100

Existing Buildings

UBWs

reports from members of the public attended to ............

27 389

29 914

30 000

removal orders issued ....................................................

16 308

9 109¶

10 000

prosecutions against failure to comply with removal

orders .........................................................................

3 612

4 395ω

3 600

unauthorised structures removed and irregularities

rectified .....................................................................

25 239§

29 585

30 000

dilapidated/dangerous buildings

reports from members of the public attended to ............

14 814

17 626Φ

17 000Φ

repair/investigation orders issued ..................................

5 702

848¶

800

buildings repaired/rectified ............................................

4 164

2 501¶

2 500

non-compliant repair/investigation orders for default

worksµ ......................................................................

—

140ψ

mandatory building inspection

notices issued to owners of target buildings˄................

13 647

8 374 ρ

5 000ρ

notices discharged .........................................................

12 022

14 070ə

12 000

prosecutions against failure to comply with noticesη....

—

2 500

mandatory window inspection

notices issued to owners of target buildings˄................

49 930

32 588¤

36 000τ

notices discharged .........................................................

52 560ε

41 777

45 000

prosecutions against failure to comply with noticesη....

—

250

NTEHs

removal orders issued for UBWs in NTEHs .................

1 264

1 633δ

1 300

sub-divided flats

sub-divided flats inspected ............................................

1 656

1 719

1 650

sub-divided flats rectified of irregularities ....................

501υ

323

320

dangerous retaining walls/slopes

reports from members of the public attended to ............

275

543@

280

repair orders issued ........................................................

45β

dangerous retaining walls/slopes repaired .....................

prescribed commercial premises

fire safety directions (FSDns) issued .............................

134

133

130

FSDns discharged ..........................................................

146

160Λ

170Λ

specified commercial buildings

fire safety improvement directions (FSIDns) issued .....

375

342

340

FSIDns discharged .........................................................

535

622γ

620

composite/domestic buildings‡

FSDns issued .................................................................

3 601

4 477λ

4 000◊

FSDns discharged ..........................................................

2 341

3 377 γ

3 450

industrial buildings

FSDns issued .................................................................

1 647

2 067Ψ

1 500◊

FSDns discharged ..........................................................

119

288 Λ

350Λ

licence/registration applications processed (restaurants,

places of public entertainment, tutorial schools etc.) .........

13 580

12 879

12 500

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

2022

2023

2024

(Actual)

(Estimate)

Minor Works Control System

minor works submissions received .........................................

151 322

146 831

150 000

minor works submissions selected for auditing ......................

7 033

5 124α

5 100

Signboard Control System

unauthorised signboards removal orders issued .....................

1 119

1 150

900

unauthorised signboards removed/validated ..........................

2 255Δ

2 113

2 000

dangerous/abandoned signboards removed/repaired ..............

1 750

1 862

2 000θ

reports of unauthorised, dangerous or abandoned signboards

from members of the public attended to ............................

1 929

2 289@

1 800

Building Safety Loan Scheme

loan applications processed ....................................................

588

657φ

600φ

loan applications approved .....................................................

367

486φ

420φ

total amount of loans committed ($m) ...................................

34.0

53.0φ

44.3φ

New Buildings

new building proposals approved ...........................................

232

203

210

plans processed .......................................................................

16 884

16 692

17 000

gross floor area of proposed new buildings approved (in

1 000 m

) ............................................................................

3 372Θ

3 671

3 500

site inspections made ..............................................................

12 680

12 910

12 500

sites inspected .........................................................................

1 368

1 290

1 300

occupation permits issued .......................................................

226

224

220

The higher number was due to more emergency reports received in 2023.

The lower number was due to fewer non-emergency reports received in 2023.

The lower number in 2023 was due to the completion of order serving stage in 2022 for the enhanced

enforcement action against unauthorised/defective drainage systems arising from the Special Inspection

Scheme and higher number of defective drainage systems repaired/rectified in 2022.

The higher number in 2023 was due to enhanced enforcement action against unauthorised drainage works

arising from the Special Inspection Scheme.

The lower number in 2022 was due to slower progress of works arranged by building owners arising from the

fifth wave of COVID-19 epidemic.

The higher number in 2023 and the higher estimated number in 2024 are due to more public reports received

in 2023 and expected to receive in 2024 respectively.

New indicator as from 2023 to undertake default works for long outstanding non-compliant repair or

investigation orders by government contractors, targeting dangerous or defective buildings with potential safety

hazards.

The higher estimated number in 2024 is due to stepped-up enforcement action against dilapidated buildings.

Revised description of previous indicator “notices issued” as from 2024.

The lower number in 2023 and the lower estimated number in 2024 are due to the decrease in the number of

projections on the exteriors of the selected target buildings.

The higher number in 2023 was due to enhanced measures on the enforcement of the MBIS notices.

New indicator as from 2024 to step up prosecutions against long outstanding non-compliant MBIS/MWIS

notices.

The lower number in 2023 was due to the decrease in the number of units in the target buildings.

The higher estimated number in 2024 is due to the increase in the number of units in the target buildings.

The higher number in 2022 was due to stepped-up enforcement action.

The higher number in 2023 was due to enhanced enforcement action to clear backlog cases.

The higher number in 2022 was due to the large number of removal orders discharged arising from

redevelopment of the buildings concerned.

The higher number was due to more public reports received in 2023.

The higher number in 2023 and the higher estimated number in 2024 are due to the increase in the number of

retaining walls/slopes that requires issue of repair orders.

The higher number in 2023 and the higher estimated number in 2024 are due to streamlining of work procedures

and stepped-up enforcement action.

The higher number in 2023 was due to streamlining of work procedures and stepped up enforcement action.

‡

Revised description of previous indicators “composite buildings - FSDns issued” and “composite buildings -

FSDns discharged” as from 2024. In accordance with the FS(B)O, a phased approach is adopted in

implementing the fire safety improvement programme. Inspection of target domestic buildings will commence

in 2024 after the completion of inspection of all target composite buildings.

The higher number in 2023 was due to the increase in the number of units in the target buildings for serving

FSDns and issuance of superseding FSDns as a result of ownership change identified in the course of

stepped-up enforcement action.

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

◊

The lower estimated number in 2024 is due to the decrease in the number of units in the target buildings for

serving FSDns.

The higher number in 2023 was due to the increase in the number of units in the target buildings for serving

FSDns.

Starting from 2023, the number of minor works submissions selected for auditing has been determined

systematically in accordance with ISO 2859-1 (Sampling Procedures for Inspection by Attributes), with more

focus on quality. The percentage of submissions selected for site audit checks was increased, while that for

document audit checks was reduced.

The higher number in 2022 was due to clearance of outstanding orders.

Priorities will be given to remove/repair dangerous/abandoned signboards.

The higher number/amount in 2023 and the higher estimated number/amount in 2024 are mainly due to the

launch of the third round of OBB 2.0 in 2023.

The lower number in 2022 in GFA of proposed new buildings approved was due to the smaller scale of building

proposals processed and approved.

Matters Requiring Special Attention in 2024–25

8 During 2024–25, the Department will take forward initiatives in all areas of its work. In particular, it will:

• continue the LSO on comprehensive clearance of UBWs on rooftops, flat roofs, yards and lanes as well as

unauthorised basements of target buildings;

• continue the LSO on inspection of sub-divided flats in target buildings and rectification of irregularities of building

works associated with sub-divided flats;

• continue the LSO on removal of large unauthorised signboards and on removal of unauthorised signboards on

target streets as well as the implementation of the Signboard Validation Scheme;

• continue the LSO on removal of First Round Target UBWs in NTEHs and follow up the recommendations made

in The Ombudsman’s direct investigation report on the Government’s enforcement against UBWs in NTEHs;

• continue to follow up pursuant to the one-off special operation for target buildings to inspect the common means

of escape of domestic and composite buildings aged 60 or above to ensure fire and building safety;

• continue to follow up pursuant to the Special Inspection Scheme to protect public health and safety;

• in collaboration with the URA, continue to implement OBB 2.0, as well as sustaining tripartite efforts with the

HAD and the URA to collaboratively assist owners of old and dilapidated buildings to comply with the

requirements of the MBIS to protect public safety;

• in collaboration with the URA, continue to implement the DRS to assist owners of old and dilapidated residential

and composite buildings to repair and/or upgrade the drains of their buildings;

• continue to prepare legislative amendments to the B(SSFPDW&L)R for transforming the existing prescriptive

requirements to performance-based standards, as well as rationalising and updating the relevant statutory

provisions;

• work with the Development Bureau to review the BO, with a view to putting forward legislative proposals to

streamline the prosecution procedures, lower the prosecution threshold and increase the penalties as a deterrent

against violations of the BO (including erection of UBWs), to enhance compliance with statutory notices/orders,

as well as to strengthen the registration and disciplinary systems of contractors in order to enhance the quality and

safety of building works;

• review practices under the MBIS and put forward proposals to adopt a more precise approach in selecting target

buildings for issuance of the MBIS notices, proactively identify higher-risk buildings, and enhance the capabilities

of the Department to inspect such buildings and carry out emergency repair works through outsourcing;

• continue the publicity and public education campaign to disseminate building safety messages to building owners,

occupants, building professionals, contractors, workers, property management personnel, students and the general

public, and foster a building safety culture;

• continue the review of various building regulations, standards and codes of practice with a view to modernising

building design and construction standards;

• continue the consultancy study to formulate a new Code of Practice for Seismic-resistant Building Design

Standards for the introduction of statutory seismic design requirements for new buildings;

• continue the development of the ESH final Stage 3 for accepting electronic submissions under the BO;

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

• commence a consultancy study to review the overall strategy on adoption of BIM for statutory plan submissions;

and

• commence a consultancy study to review the Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2021 Edition) and relevant

legislation so as to ensure the accessibility standards for private buildings are kept abreast with the latest needs

and international trends embracing the universal design concepts, while being feasible and pragmatic for

implementation in the local context. The first batch of recommendations will focus on elderly-friendly building

designs, for announcement in 2024.

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL PROVISION

2022–23

2023–24

2024–25

(Actual)

(Original)

(Revised)

(Estimate)

($m)

Programme

Buildings and Building Works .......................

1,877.8

1,949.7

2,005.5

2,110.1

(+2.9%)

(+5.2%)

(or +8.2% on

2023–24 Original)

Analysis of Financial and Staffing Provision

Provision for 2024–25 is $104.6 million (5.2%) higher than the revised estimate for 2023–24. This is mainly due to

the increased requirement for salaries and personnel related expenses, a net increase of 14 posts and increased expenses

on general departmental expenses.

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

按

一

下

這

裡

以

輸

入

文

字

。

2 130

2 128 2 128

2 135

2 149

1 900

1 950

2 000

2 050

2 100

2 150

2 200

2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Number of posts

Year

Revised

Estimate

Actual

Estimate

Changes in the size of the establishment

(as at 31 March)

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

Sub-

head

(Code)

Actual

expenditure

2022–23

Approved

estimate

2023–24

Revised

estimate

2023–24

Estimate

2024–25

—————

$’000

Operating Account

Recurrent

000

Operational expenses ..........................................

1,836,232

1,907,543

1,964,117

2,074,208

227

Payment for Land Registry/Companies Registry

Trading Fund services ....................................

41,606

42,133

41,353

35,924

—————

Total, Recurrent .......................................

1,877,838

1,949,676

2,005,470

2,110,132

—————

Total, Operating Account ........................

1,877,838

1,949,676

2,005,470

2,110,132

———————————————————

—————

Total Expenditure ....................................

1,877,838

1,949,676

2,005,470

2,110,132

—————

Head 82 — BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

Details of Expenditure by Subhead

The estimate of the amount required in 2024–25 for the salaries and expenses of the Buildings Department is

$2,110,132,000. This represents an increase of $104,662,000 over the revised estimate for 2023–24 and $232,294,000

over the actual expenditure in 2022–23.

Operating Account

Recurrent

2 Provision of $2,074,208,000 under Subhead 000 Operational expenses is for the salaries, allowances and other

operating expenses of the Buildings Department.

3 The establishment as at 31 March 2024 will be 2 135 posts including one supernumerary post. It is expected that

there will be a net increase of 14 posts in 2024–25. Subject to certain conditions, the controlling officer may under

delegated power create or delete non-directorate posts during 2024–25, but the notional annual mid-point salary value of

all such posts must not exceed $1,287,184,000.

4 An analysis of the financial provision under Subhead 000 Operational expenses is as follows:

2022–23

(Actual)

($’000)

2023–24

(Original)

($’000)

2023–24

(Revised)

($’000)

2024–25

(Estimate)

($’000)

Personal Emoluments

- Salaries .......................................................

1,434,867

1,486,036

1,539,085

1,602,380

- Allowances .................................................

14,739

12,253

9,224

8,561

- Job-related allowances ...............................

276

374

148

109

Personnel Related Expenses

- Mandatory Provident Fund

contribution ..............................................

3,929

3,890

4,053

3,673

- Civil Service Provident Fund

contribution ..............................................

149,555

169,264

168,931

191,903

Departmental Expenses

- Hire of services and professional fees .......

94,938

106,836

97,429

105,389

- Contract maintenance ................................

2,409

2,802

2,785

2,670

- General departmental expenses .................

135,519

126,088

142,462

159,523

—————

1,836,232

1,907,543

1,964,117

2,074,208

—————

5 Provision of $35,924,000 under Subhead 227 Payment for Land Registry/Companies Registry Trading Fund

services is for the payment of fees to the Land Registry and Companies Registry for providing ownership information

and registration of orders/notices/directions. The decrease of $5,429,000 (13.1%) against the revised estimate for

2023–24 is mainly due to the decreased requirement for ownership checks and registration in Land Registry arising from

completion of one-off special scheme to inspect external drainage systems.