A building consent is Council’s written authority to carry out building work that it considers will comply with the Building Code provided it is completed in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted with the building consent application.
You need to get a building consent before doing almost any building work.
You can apply yourself, but your application must comply with the Building Code and you must provide all the necessary documentation to support your application – and there’s a lot!
However, your architect/designer or builder can do this on your behalf, and they’ve probably put a few applications in which will mean they know all the items needed (but not always – it can pay to check as if there are items missing, the application will be returned and the 20-Day deadline ‘clock’ will stop until you provide the missing information).
Here are some examples of work that requires a consent:
- structural building – including additions, alterations, re-piling and some demolitions
- plumbing and drainage where an additional sanitary fixture is created (some repair and maintenance may be exempt)
- relocating a building
- installing a woodburner or air-conditioning system
- retaining walls higher than 1.5 metres (3.0 metres in rural area if designed by a chartered professional engineer)
- fences or walls higher than 2.5 metres, and all swimming pools and their associated fences
- decks, platforms or bridges more than 1.5 metres above ground level
- sheds greater than 30 square metres in floor area (sheds between 10 and 30 square metres will still need the help of an LBP or engineer or must use lightweight material in accordance with Acceptable Solution (B1/AS1)
- some earthworks
Click here for more Information on how to apply for a building consent.