Building Warrants & Do I Require a Building Warrant

Before any building works may be carried out such as the erection of a new building, the alteration or the extension of a building, a conversion of a building to another use or the demolition of a building, a Building Warrant must be obtained prior to commencing with the work.

A Building Warrant is a legal permission to build.  It is granted once it has been established that the proposed work will comply fully with the requirements of Building Regulations.  These regulations are national requirements that are laid down by the Scottish Government and are intended to ensure that minimum standards of building are achieved.

Upon completion of the building project a Completion Certificate must be submitted to Building Standards.  Following an inspection of the building to ensure that work has been carried out in accordance with the building warrant and the approved plans, the completion certificate will be accepted.  The acceptance of a completion certificate permits the building to be used or occupied.

Not all building proposals require to obtain a building warrant. Some small, low risk buildings and some minor building works may be exempt from the need to obtain a building warrant and details of these, as far as they relate to domestic buildings, may be obtained by clicking on the link below.  In all cases it is advisable that any proposals are checked carefully by consulting with Building Standards in order to avoid problems arising in the future should you choose to sell the building etc.

Below are a number of links that is aimed to help clarify the various stages involved in obtaining a building warrant.   In all cases additional information or advice may be obtained by contacting Building Standards. 

• How to apply for a Building Warrant   (2 pages, 47 KB) this leaflet, which may be downloaded, provides guidance for domestic alterations and extensions.
• Application for Building Warrant  (5 pages, 392 KB) down load an application pack including details of fees etc.
• The Building (Scotland ) Regulation 2004 - provides clarification as to the building regulations and means of achieving compliance
• Starting Work – advising Building Standards once work commences
• Exempt Works – Domestic Proposals  - this leaflet, which may be downloaded, provides guidance in regard to exempt domestic works