Building Standards Procedural and Enforcement Handbooks

Building Standards Division announce publication of updated versions of their Building Standards Procedural Handbook and Building Standards Enforcement Handbook.

Revisions to the Procedural Handbook (Third Edition, Version 1.9) include:

• Updated table of fees to reflect the increased building warrant fees that are due to come into force on 1 April 2026 (Section 3.15 – Table of Fees). Please note, the fees in version 1.8 of the Procedural Handbook are those in force until 31 March 2026.
• Minor amendments throughout, including the removal of the term ‘Historic Building’, to align with the refreshed Guide to Conversion of Traditional Buildings (previously Historic Environment Scotland’s Guide to Practitioners 6).
• New guidance (sections 10.5 – 10.7) covering long term building neglect, emphasising owners’ responsibilities for routine maintenance to prevent deterioration and avoid emergency intervention, especially in the case of listed buildings.

Revisions to the Enforcement Handbook (First Edition, Version 1.1) include:  

• Strengthened guidance on consulting Historic Environment Scotland for listed buildings, where circumstances allow, and without compromising public safety (Section 10).
• A new anonymised case study illustrating effective collaborative decision making (Annex A, Case Study 3).

Further information on the revised Building Standards Procedural Handbook and Building Standards Enforcement Handbook can be wound on the Scottish Government website.

The actual documents can be accessed using the following links:

Procedural Handbook (Third Edition, Version 1.9)

Enforcement Handbook (First Edition, Version 1.1)