A building warrant is required for nearly every construction project, large or small regardless if you are building an extension or knocking down a load bearing wall, however, there are some exceptions when a building warrant is not required. (see resources)
Full Answer
When will my building warrant be granted by Fife Council?
Following a pre-submission discussion all building warrants submitted, with all the agreed supporting information in place, will be granted by Fife Council no later than 21 days from the date of submission. This is irrespective of the size or complexity of that development.
What is a building warrant and do I need one?
A building warrant is a legal permit which you need before you start building and alteration work. This includes altering, extending, converting and demolishing buildings or parts of buildings.
How do I get a building warrant in Scotland?
You can get an application form for a building warrant from your local council or the Scottish Government website. As well as your application form, you will need to pay a fee. You will also need to include your plans with the application. You should think about using an Approved Certifier of Design and/or Construction.
How do I contact Fife Building Standards?
The easiest way to contact us is by email, our contact details are: General enquiries (all services) – [email protected] There will be a planned major system upgrade to the Building Standards case management system from 8th December 2021 until 10th December 2021, though disruption may well extend beyond this date. This will have an impact on:
What requires a building warrant in Scotland?
A building warrant is generally required to erect, alter, extend, convert or demolish a building. If you carry out work that requires a building warrant without first obtaining a warrant, you are committing an offence. You may be liable to a fine of up to £5,000.
Can I start work without a building warrant?
A building warrant is the legal permission to start building work, or to convert or demolish a building. If you carry out work that requires building warrant without first obtaining a warrant you are committing an offence.
Do I need a building warrant or planning permission?
As well as planning permission, you need to apply for a building warrant before you're allowed to start building work on your home. While planning permission is about how your house will look, a building warrant is about whether it meets building standards.
How long does it take to get a building warrant in Fife?
21 daysFollowing a pre-submission discussion all building warrants submitted, with all the agreed supporting information in place, will be granted by Fife Council no later than 21 days from the date of submission. This is irrespective of the size or complexity of that development.
Do I require a building warrant Scotland?
If the building work you're planning needs a building warrant, you must get one before you start. It's an offence to start building work without a building warrant. If you do, you could be fined. Find out more about Building Standards in Scotland.
Do I need a building warrant for a garden room in Scotland?
The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 permits a range of alterations that may be carried out within Houses without the need to apply for a Building Warrant. Small domestic buildings such as Garages and Garden Sheds of a floor area between 8 & 30 square metres may also be erected without a Building Warrant.
Do I need a building warrant to remove a non load bearing wall Scotland?
If you are carrying out building work, such as knocking down a load bearing wall, you will need a warrant to ensure the work complies with regulations. However, you will also need a warrant even if you won't be doing any actual building work.
How long does it take to get a building warrant in Scotland?
20 working daysThe national target for issuing a first technical response, or a building warrant if applicable, to a building warrant application is 20 working days from receiving a valid application and fee.
Do you need building regs after 20 years?
Despite the fact that there is no time limit on the local authority's right to apply for an injunction, it is generally accepted that if 10 years or more have passed since the work was carried out then there is no serious risk of action fro breach of building regulations being taken.
Do you need a building warrant for garage conversion Scotland?
A conversion is a change of use of a building which will cause the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 to apply - for example, changing a loft space from storage use to an apartment, or a garage into a bedroom. A building warrant is required for a conversion, even if no building work is carried out.
Do I need a building warrant for a new kitchen?
When does a replacement kitchen or bathroom need building regulations approval? The majority of domestic like for like replacement kitchens or bathrooms won't need any form of building regulations approval, but if you're modifying the existing layout then approval may be needed.
How much does planning permission cost Scotland?
The cost for an outline planning permission is £460 for each 0.1 hectare of an, and £230 for a householder application. In Scotland, both a full permission application on a new house and an outline application costs £401 while a householder application is £202.
Service Update
We have made some changes to how we work during the current public health emergency, all of our services are available but some responses may take longer than normal. The easiest way to contact us is by email, our contact details are:
Service Update
There will be a planned major system upgrade to the Building Standards case management system from 8th December 2021 until 10th December 2021, though disruption may well extend beyond this date. This will have an impact on:
Before you apply for a building warrant
If the building work you're planning needs a building warrant, you must get one before you start.
How to apply for a building warrant
You can get an application form for a building warrant from your local council.
What you need to include when you apply
As well as your application form, you will need to pay a fee. You will also need to include your plans with the application.
What happens after you apply
Your local council will assess your application - this can take around 20 working days.
What are the Scottish building standards?
Scottish Building Standards. If you're doing the work. If a builder is doing the work for you. Building Warrants. If you do not have a Building Warrant you should not do any building work that includes: alterations. extensions. conversions. demolishing part or the whole of a building.
Can you be fined for building a new home?
If you're building a new home or extending a current one, you might also need to look at things like applying for planning permission. You can be fined and ordered to remove any new building work if you need a Building Warrant and don't get one. If a builder is doing the work for you.
What does it mean to get planning permission before building?
Planning permission. If the plot of land you're buying does not already have detailed planning permission, you need to obtain it before you start building on it. Planning permission means asking the council to let you build on the land. Decisions are based on the Local Development Plan and will look at things like:
What to do if your building permit is denied?
If it's denied you may be stuck paying for a plot of land or a builder contract you do not want. If you have an architect designing your home for you, you can ask them to apply for planning permission on your behalf. Speak to a planning officer at the planning authority before sending them an application for planning permission.
Do you have to build a house before you apply for planning permission?
Before applying, check to see if the plot of land you buy already has a planning permission application assigned to it. If it does you may have to build your house to its specifications, unless you submit a brand new application.
Scottish Building Standards for minor work
If you're doing any type of minor work in your home, like installing a bathroom in your house, it needs to meet Scottish Building Standards.
Scottish Building Standards for major work
If you're doing any type of building work that will change things like the floor space of your house, its structure or its roof, it's likely you'll need to apply to your local council for a Building Warrant.
If you're not sure about Scottish Building Standards
If you're not sure whether you need to apply for a Building Warrant you can ask your local council's Building Standards service.