How do I apply for a building warrant?
Why do I need a warrant?
It is important that you seek advice to see if you require a building warrant before commencing any work on your property.
A leaflet entitled Guidance Notes for Exempt Works is available from your local Building Standards office. This leaflet does not give an exhaustive list, so for full details of works that do not require a building warrant, refer to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2004 – Part A – Regulation 5.
Further details in this regard are available on the Scottish Building Standards Agency website
Alternatively, submit an Application for Advice on Requirement for Building Warrant form or contact your local Building Standards office (details listed below) to speak to a Building Standards Surveyor.
Important note
You should not be confused between the need to get planning permission and the need to get a warrant. They are separate approvals
both required by law. In come cases only a warrant is required. In most cases both planning permission and a warrant is needed.
For advice on planning permission, please contact Development Control If in doubt, seek advice.
You should note that when you come to buy or sell property, solicitors are more and more seeking confirmation that local authority approval has been given for alterations, extensions and for conversions as well as for the erection of new buildings. It is obviously in your own interests to be able to provide such confirmations.
What should I do first?
First of all read the following advice noted to make sure that you have all of the information to allow your application to be accepted. Notes for guidance are also available for use to help with completing the main building warrant form.
What do I need?
To allow your application for building warrant to be accepted you need:
- A completed building warrant application form
- Three copies of each drawing prepared to clearly show the works you are proposing.
- Appropriate lodging fee based on the estimated costs of the works
- Location plan
Note: Works which are solely for the benefit of a disabled person in a domestic building only are exempt from the need for a fee.
Where do I get forms?
You can download the relevant application forms or pick up an application form from your local building standards office at:
- Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells Tel: 01835 825060
- Council Offices, 8 Newtown Street, Duns Tel: 01361 886105
- Council Offices, High Street, Hawick Tel: 01450 364705
- Council Offices, Rosetta Road, Peebles Tel: 01721 726305
- Council Offices, Paton Street, Galashiels Tel: 01896 662705
Where do I get drawings?
You may ask an architect, surveyor or other building professional to prepare accurate plans, drawings and specification notes to show clearly the works to be carried out.
- The drawings must be to a known scale and/or have all sizes shown
- If the work is for alterations or an extension to your property the new work should be coloured to highlight the proposals
- You will also require a location plan and, in some cases, a site plan to show accurately the position of the works.
N.B. You may wish to prepare the drawings yourself in which case the information noted above will still be required.
All drawings accompanying a building warrant application must be numbered with a unique reference number.
- Full list of downloadable Building Standards Forms
- Fee Lists
- Guide for Estimated Costs of Building Work
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