How to make an application for a building warrant

The preferred method for making an application for a building warrant is by making an online application through the Scottish Government e-Development Portal

The eDevelopment.scot portal is an online service that enables users to apply online for planning permission, building warrants, appeals, and a range of other forms, to their local and planning authority.

Before you can use the eBuilding Standards or ePlanning sites to manage applications or submissions, you must first create a user account. Creating an account gives you access to both the eBuildingStandards.scot and ePlanning.scot services.

Guidance on using the Portal site to make your building warrant application is available on welcome to eBuildingStandards.scot

Where a Building Warrant is necessary for proposed works there is a set procedure which must be followed in order to obtain one.  The Scottish Government have produced a guide to submitting a building warrant application and a guide to making a good quality of application.

Paper Applications

If you are unable to submit through eDevelopment.scot and you require to make your application as a paper application you can download a printable Building Warrant Application Form and download the Building Warrant Application Form – Guidance Notes April 2024 document.

Send the completed application forms to us by post to:

Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar
Council Offices
Sandwick Road
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2BW

The following must also be submitted with all applications.

• a location plan to a scale of not less than 1:2500 indicating the position of the property – and a site plan to a scale of not less than 1:500 indicating the site boundaries, adjacent roads, and properties;
• general arrangement plans, showing floorplans, sections and elevations, all to be at a scale not less than 1:100 (1:50 preferred), with drawings to a larger scale as necessary to show the particulars needed to determine the application
• a full written specification of materials and the method of construction should also be included;
• the required fee as per the guidance notes found at CNES Building Warrant Fees Guidance

The exact requirements will vary with the type and scale of the work and this should be discussed with the area building standards officer before an application is made.  Please refer to our Building warrant application guidance notes for further information.

There is nothing to prevent applicants drawing the plans themselves, but it is not recommended unless they are fully competent. The purpose of drawings is to make clear to all parties concerned the full details of the proposals. Apart from the minimum standard of draughtsmanship required to do this, the lack of technical knowledge of construction can also be a serious drawback.