Building standards
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School premises regulations - updating proposals: consultation
We are consulting on updating the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967, so they reflect modern educational needs.
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Building standards: enforcement handbook: first edition (version 1.1)
The building standards enforcement handbook provides clarification on the enforcement powers for local authorities as set out in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.
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Building standards: procedural handbook: third edition (version 1.9)
The procedural handbook provides clarification on the procedures underpinning the Scottish building standards system as set out in the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 to assist with practical operation.
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Guide to Conversion of Traditional Buildings
The interim publication of the Guide to Conversion of Traditional Buildings provides support and interpretation on the application of the Domestic and Non Domestic Technical Handbooks which take effect on 6 April 2026.
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Fire Fatalities beyond the dwelling of fire origin in Scotland
The study reports on fire fatalities which have occurred in Scotland where the victim has died beyond the dwelling of fire origin. This specifically includes multi storey flats and tenements and whether external wall cladding was recorded as being involved during the fatal fire event.
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Building standards - Futures Board Programme: workstream information
A programme to support sustainable improvements to the building standards system and increase the level of compliance with building regulations.
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Cladding Remediation Programme: progress bulletins
Regular progress updates on the work of the Cladding Remediation Programme.
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Building standards - proposed changes to Section 3.3 Flooding and Groundwater: consultation analysis
This consultation analysis considered responses to proposed updates to guidance within Section 3.3 Flooding and groundwater of the building standards technical handbooks with a particular focus on property flood resilience for new buildings.
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Cladding Remediation Programme: factsheet
Information for homeowners and residents about the Cladding Remediation Programme.
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Better Regulation: supporting economic growth and investment
This report is a review of regulation in key sectors in Scotland’s economy – housing, green industries and public infrastructure - to ensure that in the content and delivery of regulation there are no unnecessary impediments to growth and investment. It delivers against 2025 Programme for Government
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Scottish building regulations - fire safety review and compliance: call for evidence
This consultation and the analysis of the responses to its questions will help inform our policy decisions in considering improvements to fire safety regulation/guidance and compliance with building regulations in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report.
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High risk buildings - verification during construction: compliance plan approach - background and implementation
The new Compliance Plan Approach (CPA) has been developed in response to the recommendations made by the 2018 Review Panel on Building Standards Compliance and Enforcement.
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High risk buildings - verification during construction: phase 1 of compliance plan approach - verifiers guidance
Outlines steps that verifiers must follow when processing building warrant applications and completion certificates for defined High Risk Buildings to support implementation of phase 1 of the Compliance Plan Approach.
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Building standards verification services - performance and workforce: national annual report 2024-2025
Provides an overview of the performance of building standards verification services across Scotland and information on the professional workforce employed by local authorities to provide verification services.
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Building regulations - proposed changes to energy and environmental standards: SG response part 2 - onward review
Proposed changes to energy and environmental standards (determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard) within Scottish building regulations. Part 2 of the Scottish Government response and next steps following analysis of the responses to the proposals set out in the July 2024 consultation.
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Building standards: performance framework for verifiers - 1 April 2026
Key performance outcomes used to monitor the work of building standards local authority verifiers. This framework is effective from 1 April 2026.
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Building standards: operating framework for verifiers - April 2026
Defines operational standards to be met by local authority verifiers and how to meet them. This framework is effective from 1 April 2026.
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Mandatory sprinklers for historic hotel conversions
Simon and Richard’s Law to honour the victims of the Cameron House Hotel fire.
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Combustible external wall cladding systems: extending the ban to hotels, boarding houses and hostels
This report covers Phase 1 and Phase 2 of a study into extending the ban of combustible external wall cladding systems to hotels, boarding houses and hostels in Scotland for buildings with a habitable storey at a height of 11 metres or more above the ground.
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Permitted development rights to support the provision of new homes: consultation
We are consulting on potential measures to simplify planning processes and encourage the provision of new homes in rural areas and town and city centers. The consultation also includes options related to domestic air source heat pumps and heat network connections.
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Building standards: professional competency framework for verifiers
The Building Standards Professional Competency Framework for Verifiers (the PCF) provides an overarching framework that sets out standardised job role profiles for the building standards profession and the associated level of competence required for each role.
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Accelerating cladding remediation
£20 million additional funding for the next phase.
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Cladding Remediation Programme: Next Phase Plan of Action
This August 2025 update on cladding remediation details next phase of delivery, focusing on acceleration, mitigation and remediation pathways. Progress made to date, actions and milestones through to March 2026, and long-term targets are all detailed in this update.
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Building standards - operating and performance frameworks for verifiers: research summary
Summary of iterative research and development work undertaken by Pye Tait Consulting.
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Building standards – guidance changes: letter to local authority verifiers - 11 July 2025
Letter to local authority verifiers and others, confirming minor change to the January 2025 domestic technical handbooks. Guidance to standard 6.1 on new homes heat network calculation, applicable from date of publication.
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Building standards technical handbook January 2025: domestic
Provides guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted on or after 1 January 2025 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.
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Building standards guidance - Section 3.3 Flooding and Groundwater: consultation on proposed updates
Consultation to consider updates to the guidance within Section 3.3 Flooding and groundwater of the Technical Handbooks with a particular focus on property flood resilience for new buildings and new building work that is being undertaken in areas identified as being at risk of flooding.
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Building regulations - proposed review of fire safety topics: analysis of responses
This analysis of the responses to the consultation questions will help inform the Scottish Government decisions on policy direction in response to the Cameron House Hotel recommendations and other aspects of Scottish Building Standards and fire safety regulation and guidance.
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Raising funds to fix cladding issues
Building Safety Levy Bill published.
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NPF4 planning guidance: policy 2 - climate mitigation and adaptation
Planning guidance supporting the consistent, proportionate and effective application of National Planning Framework 4 Policy 2 on climate mitigation and adaptation.
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Building standards verification services - national performance and workforce: annual report 2023-2024
This report provides an overview of the performance of building standards verification services across Scotland and information on the professional workforce employed by local authorities to provide verification services.
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Building standards: procedural handbook - third edition version 1.8
Provides clarification on the procedures underpinning the Scottish building standards system as set out in the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 to assist with practical operation. Version 1.8 was in force from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. This document has now been superseded by Version 1.9.
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Climate Change Act – Section 72: fifteenth annual report
Information and conclusions fulfilling annual reporting requirements on the operation of Section 3F of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (introduced by Section 72 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009).
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Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report: Scottish Government response
The report provides an update on the work already underway in Scotland. It identifies where further action is required to support change to strengthen our systems across areas where responsibility is devolved and on reserved matters working with UK Government and other administrations.
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Awaab’s Law to come to Scotland
Further enhancing protections for social housing tenants.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy - Gaelic version - Ro-innleachd Nàiseanta airson Seasmhachd an Aghaidh Thuiltean
Ro-innleachd Nàiseanta airson Seasmhachd an Aghaidh Thuiltean
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Building standards - compliance plan manager role: cost benefit analysis
Cost-benefit assessment of the introduction of a new Compliance Plan Manager (CPM) role on high-risk building types in the Scottish building standards system.
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Building standards - compliance plan manager role: development of scope
To develop proposals for the Compliance Plan Manager (CPM) role on high risk buildings in Scotland and further develop the scope of the role.
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The Building (Fees) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025: business and regulatory impact assessment
Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) carried out to understand the potential impact of the proposed policy to increase building warrant fees in Scotland through the Building (Fees)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025.
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The Building (Fees)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025: equality impact assessment
Equality impact assessment carried out to understand the potential impact of the proposed policy to increase building warrant fees in Scotland through the Building (Fees)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025.
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Building (Fees)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) carried out to understand the potential impact of the proposed policy to increase building warrant fees in Scotland through the Building (Fees)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025.
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Building (Fees)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025: Fairer Scotland Duty assessment
Fairer Scotland Duty Impact Assessment (FSDA) carried out to understand the potential impact of the proposed policy to increase building warrant fees in Scotland through the Building (Fees)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025.
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Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings
An Accredited Statistics Publication for Scotland
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Scottish building regulations - energy and environmental standards - proposed changes: equalities impact assessment
Equality Impact Assessment for the laying of regulatory amendments set out in The Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 relating to determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard.
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Cladding - Single Building Assessments and additional work assessments: standards
The Single Building Assessment (SBA) standards set out the process that must be followed when undertaking assessment and if needed remediation for buildings as set out in section 32 of the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024.
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Passivhaus standard - determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent: consultation analysis
Proposed changes to energy and environmental standards within Scottish building regulations. The consultation analysis report on the responses to the proposals set out in the July 2024 consultation.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy
Sets out a vision for a flood resilient Scotland through to 2045 and beyond.
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Compulsory purchase reform: progress report December 2024
This report recaps progress to date on the Scottish Government's comprehensive programme of work to reform and modernise the compulsory purchase system in Scotland. It summarises emerging proposals and sets out next steps heading into 2025.
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Building regulations - proposed review of fire safety topics: consultation
This consultation and the analysis of the responses to its questions will help inform our decisions on policy direction in response to the Cameron House Hotel recommendations and other aspects of Scottish building standards and fire safety regulation and guidance.
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Planning circular 3/2024: The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024
This circular provides guidance on the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 and replaces circulars 1/2004, 2/2013 and 2/2022.
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Automatic Fire Suppression System installations - traditional building conversion to hotels: cost benefit analysis
Report to provide evidence to assist the Building and Fire Safety Expert Group to arrive at a consensus view on whether to mandate a requirement to install Automatic Fire Suppression Systems when traditional buildings are being converted to hotels.
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Building standards technical handbook January 2025: non-domestic
Provides guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. This handbook applies to a building warrant submitted on or after 1 January 2025 and to building work which does not require a warrant commenced from that date.
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New Build Heat Standard (amended) 2024: island communities impact assessment
Addition to the New Build Heat Standard 2024 – island and communities impact assessment . It is necessary to review this in conjunction with the fuller island communities impact assessment (ICIA) to ensure the context of earlier decision making and measures are fully understood.
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Supporting net zero in construction
Aggregates Tax Bill aims to increase use of recycled materials.
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Single Building Assessment Task and Finish Group: final output and recommendations - December 2023
The Single Building Assessment (SBA) Task and Finish Group was created to address the outstanding issues around the SBA process. This December 2023 report sets out outstanding issues, where resolution has been agreed, and recommendations for progress and next steps.
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Single Building Assessment Specification Task and Finish Group: final output and recommendations - March 2024
Following the first Single Building Assessment (SBA) Task and Finish Group, a successor group was established. This March 2024 report sets out the issues the successor group discussed, where resolution was agreed, and recommendations for progress and next steps.
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School Estates Statistics 2024
An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Building regulations - energy and environmental standards: consultation on proposed changes
Stage 1 consultation on determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard.
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Building standard 3.3 - flooding and groundwater guidance review: research
Research to inform the review of guidance which supports Standard 3.3, including identifying current good practice on flooding and groundwater and suggesting improvements and adoption of a good practice guide for local authorities.
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Cladding Remediation Programme: Single Building Assessment specification
Sets out the methodology for the proper carrying out of a Single Building Assessment (SBA). Please note that any references in the text or in supporting documents to “the Bill” should be read as references to the Cladding Remediation Act, which is in force from 6 January 2025.
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Building standards - guidance changes April 2024: letter to local authority verifiers – 25 March 2024
Letter from Stephen Garvin, Head of Building Standards Division, to local authorities regarding changes introduced to published guidance in the building standards technical handbooks, applicable from 1 April 2024.
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Cladding Remediation Bill passed
New powers to tackle unsafe cladding.
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Powers secured to introduce building safety levy
Parliament to consider tax to raise more funding to fix unsafe cladding.
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Building standards - Early Adopters Scheme: compliance handbook
This first edition of the compliance handbook details the compliance plan (CP) approach and provides guidance for use by early adopters (EA) who choose to apply and benefit from the CP approach in building warrant applications before there is a legal requirement to do so.
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Local authorities publish RAAC data
Newly published data shows areas impacted.
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Social Justice Secretary update on RAAC
Reassurance given on building safety.
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Making Scotland’s buildings safer
Cladding legislation announced in Programme for Government.
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New Build Heat Standard: consultation - part two
We are seeking views on our detailed proposals for a New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) to prohibit the use of direct emissions heating systems in new buildings warranted from April 2024.
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Working together to fix cladding issues
Single Building Assessment programme expanded.
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Ban on combustible cladding
Materials barred from high-risk buildings over 11 metres.
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Fire alarm funding increased
Extra £500,000 to support most vulnerable.
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Making our homes cleaner and greener
Scotland’s heat in buildings strategy published.
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Tackling cladding issues
Free safety assessments for homeowners.
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A new standard for housing
Ensuring equal quality of homes.
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Maintaining Scotland’s tenements
Changes to legislation considered.
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Making homes safer
£13 million to improve safety standards in social housing.
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Strengthening fire safety and building standards
Improvements in fire safety and better facilities for people with disabilities.
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Better sanitary facilities for disabled people
Public consultation launched today
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New fire safety standards for Scottish homes
All domestic properties to have smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.
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Building and fire safety
Consultation on expert group recommendations.
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Cladding removal VAT calls
Ministers back exemption for removal of combustible building cladding.
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Building and fire safety
Response to independent interim review.
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Fire safety consultation
Review of guidance for residential accommodation.
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Support for housing
Challenge fund announced for custom and self-built homes.
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Building and fire safety
Chairs for review groups announced.
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Designing communities
People to have say in the design of their area.
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Home safety paramount
Consultation on protecting homes against fire and smoke.
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Ministerial Working Group on building and fire safety
Fourth meeting held.
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Ministerial Working Group on building and fire safety
Third meeting held.
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Comment on cladding and high rise buildings
Communities Secretary provides further update.
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Comment on cladding and high rise buildings
Communities Secretary provides update
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Review of building and fire safety regulations
Ministerial Working Group convened.
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50 affordable homes for Fort William
£2.5m charitable bond used to fund new homes.