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A Building Consent is a consent to begin building work, in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. All Building Consents must comply with the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code.
Use our Building Consent Fee Calculator to work out the total minimum fee to pay at the time of lodging your application for a building consent.
You need a Building Consent for nearly all building work or excavation work you are going to carry out. The First Schedule of the Building Act 2004 defines what work requires a Building Consent. If you are unsure, discuss your proposal with a Council Building Processing Officer or a Building Field Officer who will advise you.
You may also need a Resource Consent before you can begin work as detailed on your Building Consent.
Under the Building Act 2004, the Council is now known as a Building Consent Authority (BCA). The Building Act 2004 legislates authority to BCAs to issue Building Consents, inspect building work and issue Code Compliance Certificates.
You will need to obtain an application form from the Council. You will need to make sure you provide all of the information requested. Sometimes you will need to get advice from a specialist e.g. registered engineer (geotechnical, structural), architect, draughtsperson, surveyor, building consultant etc. A minimum standard is required with regards to the quality and quantity of the plans and specifications. Design professionals are the proper people to provide you with these documents.
Building Consent Application Pack
The work authorised by a Building Consent must start within 12 months after the date of issue of the Consent, otherwise the Consent will be deemed to have lapsed. You may apply for an extension of this time, prior to the 12 months elapsing.
Council Inspectors will inspect your building activities to ensure they comply with the approved plans. Some Consents will require several different inspections depending on the building.
Prior notification of inspections as early as possible will assist you in receiving an inspection on the day that best suits your needs. Phone the Council on 0800 426 5169 to book an inspection.
Compliance schedules are provided by the Building Act 2004 to ensure that building owners take responsibility for ensuring the safety of building occupants and buildings. This means the building owner must keep safety features and essential systems in good working order (eg lifts, escalators, automatic sprinklers etc). A Compliance schedule lists the building’s safety features and essential systems and the inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures needed to keep them in good working order.
A Building Warrant of fitness must be provided annually to the Council and publicly displayed at the building it pertains to.
Consumer Build (an independent resource for building, renovating and
maintaining homes)
Department of
Building and Housing − Building Controls
A PIM is a report issued by the Territorial Authority prior to or in conjunction with a building consent. A PIM report provides information known to the Territorial Authority which is relevant to your building proposal, such as location of underground services, and the likelihood of flooding and subsidence.
A PIM will also advise whether any other consents are required e.g., a resource consent.
If you are proposing to undertake any building work you should obtain a PIM. For larger projects, such as new commercial or industrial buildings, or for ‘difficult’ sites, you will find a PIM very useful in establishing the feasibility and design of your project. It may prevent delays and costs in the design of your building before getting to the building consent stage.
You will need to obtain an application form from the Council. You will need to make sure you provide all of the information requested and if you have any concerns make an appointment at one of the Council offices and a Building Processing Officer will advise you accordingly.
A set fee is charged for a PIM and it is required to be processed by the Territorial Authority within 20 working days.
The Council is responsible for implementing the Fencing of Swimming Pool Act 1987 if you are the owner or the occupier of a property that has a pool you are responsible for ensuring that the fencing complies with the Act.
If you have a swimming pool you are required to notify the Council and have it registered with the Council. At all times your pool must comply with the Act. There are some exemptions and you need to refer to the Act to determine what these exemptions are.
Any excavation, structure or product that is or can be used for swimming, wading, paddling, or bathing – including spa pools are covered for by the Act.
If you have a pool you can obtain a copy of the Act from the Council office and if you have any questions contact the Council and ask to speak to a Building Field Officer. Council will record your pool on the Swimming Pool Register. Council will inspect your pool and advise you of any areas of non-compliance. If your pool does not comply you should empty it of water immediately until it fully complies. It is also important to remember that your pool (if it has water in it) must comply with the Act at all times.
View Pool Safety Brochure:
General Information and Pool Fencing Guidelines
(1204k)