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Getting a building warrant

Last updated
19 Mar 2024

If the building work you're doing needs a building warrant, you must get one before you start.

A building warrant gives you legal permission to carry out building work.

It’s an offence to start building work without a warrant when you need one. If you do, you could be fined.

Check if you need a building warrant

A warrant is required for work including:

  • building a new home
  • extending your home
  • building or removing load bearing walls
  • altering roofs, external walls or other structural elements
  • converting a loft or garage into a room
  • demolishing a building

If you’re not sure if you need a warrant, check with your local council’s building standards department:

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

Before you apply

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.

Check that your plans meet building regulations. Your local council’s building standards department can help if you’re not sure.

Follow the guidance on how to make a quality warrant application on gov.scot.

To understand the full building standards process, read the building standards customer journey on gov.scot.

Applying for a warrant

You can apply online using the eDevelopment portal.

Include a copy of your plans. These should say:

  • the location of the building work
  • what the building work is

You’ll also need to pay a fee. The amount you’ll pay is based on the value of the work you’re doing. Use the building standards fee calculator on the eDevelopment portal to check what you’ll have to pay.

What happens after you apply

Your local council’s building standards department will assess your application.

They’ll decide if it meets building regulations. If not, they’ll ask you for more information.

When a building warrant is granted

The building standards department will give you:

  • a building warrant
  • a copy of the approved plans
  • your Construction Compliance and Notification Plan (CCNP)

The CCNP tells you:

  • when to get in touch with building standards department
  • when you need inspections at different stages of your work

Once your building warrant is granted, building work can begin.

How long a building warrant is valid for

A building warrant is valid for 3 years from the date it was granted. Your work should be completed in this time.

Tell the building standards department if you will not complete the work in time.

Making changes after your warrant is granted

You must apply for an amendment to your building warrant. You must get approval before carrying out any changes.

Use the eDevelopment portal to apply for an amendment.

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