What is a building consent

A building consent is the formal approval issued by a building consent authority that certain works meet the requirements of the New Zealand Building Act, Building Regulations, and Building Code. A building consent is required before you can begin building works.

Only a building consent authority can issue a building consent. Building consent authorities are councils, regional authorities, or private organisations registered under section 273 of the Building Act 2004.

There are some changes you need to know about. From March 1 2012, Restricted Building Work comes into effect. This applies to most residential building or renovation work and only a Licensed Building Practitioner can undertake or supervise the work.
 
If you apply for a building consent from March 1 you must make sure that the practitioners you use are correctly licensed to carry out the work.  Refer to the Department of Building and Housing’s website for more information.

When a building consent is required

A building consent is required for all new building work and for alterations to existing buildings, such as

  • Swimming and spa pools and their associated fencing
  • Retaining walls (some may be exempt)
  • Decks over 1.0m high and/or decks with a falling height over 1.0m
  • Fences over 2.0m high
  • Pergolas attached to buildings
  • Free-standing non-habitable buildings larger than 10m2
  • Plumbing and drainage work
  • Demolition
  • Relocation
  • Additions, alterations to existing buildings
  • New buildings
  • Change of use (eg garage to granny flat)
  • Heating, including fireplaces
  • Ventilation and air-conditioning systems for commercial premises
  • Solar panels
  • Replacements if not strictly like for like and if the work goes beyond what can be defined as maintenance and repair

If you are unsure whether you will need a building consent or not, please contact the Customer Services Officers on +64 3 546 0200.

If your project requires a building consent, it must be obtained before any of the work starts, so please make sure that you start the application process well before building is due to start.

Important note

A building consent may lapse if the work is not started within 12 months after the date of issue of the consent. Please let the Council know if you will require more time to begin work.

Other useful information: