Building Standards ensure that buildings are safe for their occupants and the general public. The Council is responsible for ensuring that the construction, alteration, extension, demolition and conversion of buildings are conducted so as to ensure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of citizens.

The requirements are set by the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The Council will inspect plans for new buildings to check compliance with regulations and periodically inspect sites during construction to ensure approved plans are adhered to. When the local authority is satisfied that with the plans they will issue a Building Warrant the legal permission to commence.

Regulations are set by Scottish Ministers, subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament and these are administered and enforced by local authorities.

This is mainly achieved through the Building (Scotland) Act 2003, and the control of construction in accordance with the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations. All Building Warrant applications must comply with the act.

The system is intended to ensure that building work on both new and existing buildings meets reasonable standards relative to:

• securing the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in and about buildings
• advancing fuel and power conservation
• achieving sustainable development

Service Accountability

The Operations Manager Building Standards is accountable for the quality and administration of the obligations placed on the Council through the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 and supporting legislation. Locally this is supported by a delegation arrangement supporting decentralised service delivery.

Administration Accountability

Building Standards & Development Management share a joint administration support team in the four local offices. Responsibility and accountability for the quality of the administrative output is jointly held by the Operations Manager Building Standards and the Operations Manager, Development Management.

• Online Building Standards Register
  The Online Building Standards Register provides access to the official records of the Building Standards service in Dumfries and Galloway. These records date from 1st January 1996.
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• Building Warrants
  The design and construction of buildings is controlled by ensuring Building Warrant applications comply with Building Regulations for most classes and types of building, whether public or private and includes houses, shops, leisure facilities, factories, warehouses etc.
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• Building Standards Forms and Guidance
  There are a wide range of statutory and non-statutory forms used by the Building Standards Service. Guidance on the application process including information on fees is also available.
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• Frequently Asked Questions about Building Standards
  We have compiled a list of FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about Building Standards which will hopefully answer any questions you may have.
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• Building Standards Weekly Lists
  The Building Standards Weekly List is issued every week and it identifies the Building Warrant applications received.
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• Building Standards Performance Information
  A Building Standards performance chart for the Dumfries and Galloway area is issued each month and provides various response times which you may find useful.
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• South West Scotland Building Standards Consortium
  The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 (verifiers interest in buildings) Direction 2008
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