Building Regulations

Building regulations for farm buildings can sometimes be tricky to comply with as they haven't really been written for farm buildings. We have worked in this area for many years and know how the regulations apply to farm buildings and know simple cost effective ways to meet the regulations. Contact us if you need a building warrant application submitted or just some advice.

All agricultural buildings on agricultural land in Scotland are exempt from the need for a building warrant unless the following apply:

• • buildings for retail purposes

  • buildings over 280 sq metres (3013 sq feet) in area

  • buildings within 10 m (or the height of the building if greater) of a boundary or residential buildings

  • all dungsteads (middens), slurry storage and effluent tanks. (Slurry towers, Slurry lagoons and slurry tanks)

  • Some non-agricultural buildings and extensions such as small garages and porches do not require a building warrant

  • In general terms there is no building warrant requirements for agricultural buildings in the UK except Scotland

Information require for building warrant applications

• Completed Building warrant forms

• Location plan

• Site plan

• Existing and proposed plans

The plans should clearly show the location and nature of your proposals and how they relate to any adjoining or existing building. The type of materials and products being used, the size of rooms, the position of appliances proposed, and drainage details are needed. 

• • Structural design certification or calculations and an energy rating may be required.  

  • Information on precautions being taken for the safety of the public during building or demolition works, and keeping a building site secure, may also be required.  

• Fee (Download fees table)

What happens next

Firstly your application is recorded on the building standards register. This allows the verifier or any interested party to chart its course through the warrant process.  Your application will then be assessed against the requirements of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The guidance contained in the Technical Handbooks will help the assessment of your plans.  The verifier will produce an assessment of where your application does not comply. If you are not able to make adjustments or answer all the matters raised, the verifier may be able to help, or you may require to seek advice from building specialists, depending upon the nature of your proposals.  The procedures for the adjustment of plans may differ between verifiers but, generally speaking, you will be able to discuss the assessment with your verifier and arrange to have the plans amended.  After your plans have been adjusted or amended to comply with the assessment, they will be re-assessed. If the plans comply with the regulations, the warrant will be granted.

Work starts on site

Your verifier may inspect while work is in progress to check that the warrant is being complied with. However, the verifier is not responsible for checking the quality of work done or supervising the builders employed. Supervision of the building work should be the responsibility of whichever person is appointed by you for that purpose.  

Work ends on site

It is your responsibility (as the relevant person) to submit a completion certificate on the appropriate form. A completion certificate is needed to confirm that a building has been constructed, altered or converted in accordance with the warrant and the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004