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Building regulations

Last updated
19 Mar 2024

Any building work you do must follow building regulations.

These are rules to make sure all building work is:

  • safe
  • energy efficient
  • sustainable

For detailed guidance on building regulations, download building standards technical handbooks on gov.scot.

Getting a building warrant

A building warrant is legal permission to carry out building work. If you need a warrant and start building work without one, you could be fined.

To get a building warrant, the work you plan on doing must meet building regulations.

There are certain types of building work that do not need a warrant. However, these must also follow building regulations.

Appointing an agent

You can appoint an agent to act on your behalf to make sure your plans meet building regulations. This could be an architect, a building engineer or a building surveyor.

If you appoint an agent, they’ll apply for a building warrant for you.

Using an approved certifier

Approved certifiers are Scottish Government scheme providers.

They certify that their work meets your local council's building standards. This can help you meet building regulations and get a building warrant.

Check how to find an approved certifier.

Get advice from your local council’s building standards department

They can:

  • tell you if you need a building warrant
  • advise you on building regulations
Aberdeen City Council Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Argyll and Bute Council Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) Dumfries and Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Edinburgh Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow City Council Highland Council Inverclyde Council Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Islands Council Perth and Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council Shetland Islands Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council West Lothian Council

During building work

A surveyor from the council's building standards department will inspect the work.

They’re there to make sure the building work meets:

  • building regulations
  • the terms of the building warrant

They will not check the quality of the build. That’s up to you and your agent, architect or designer.

If you need to change design or materials during building work

Discuss this with your agent, architect or designer and your local building standards department.

They'll tell you how to apply for an amendment to your warrant. If you appoint an agent, they’ll apply on your behalf.

When building work is finished

Submit a completion certificate to your local council. If you've used an approved certifier of construction, also include their certificate.

The building standards department checks that the work meets:

  • building regulations
  • the terms of the building warrant

They’ll accept or reject the certificate within 14 days.

You must have an accepted completion certificate before you can move into or use the building.

If your certificate is rejected

The building standards department will tell you why and explain how you can appeal.

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