Building Consents and PIMs

Council has been accredited by International Accreditation New Zealand and registered by the Department of Building and Housing as a Building Consent Authority as required by the Building Act 2004.

A Building Consent ensures your plans and specifications comply with the New Zealand Building Code and all building work must comply with this Code and the relevant New Zealand Standards. Most building work requires a Building Consent before you are allowed to start any excavation or construction.

Types of activities requiring a Building Consent include:

• Swimming pools, spa pools and pool fencing - download the pool fencing brochure 87Kb for further information
• Retaining walls over 1.5m (no surcharge)
• Retaining walls any height incurring surcharge
• Decks over 1.5m high
• Fences over two metres in height
• Pergolas attached to buildings
• Free-standing non-habitable buildings larger than 10m² or less than the height of the building from the boundary or a dwelling
• Plumbing and drainage work including replacing hot water cylinders
• Demolition of buildings
• Relocation of buildings
• Additions, alterations to existing buildings
• New buildings
• Change of use of a building
• Heating including fireplaces, ventilation and air-conditioning systems

Recent law changes have created more exemptions which can be found in the Guide to Building Work not requiring Consent 1.2Mb. If you are unsure, check your proposal over with Council's Building Control Officer who can advise you on what you need to do.

Either before or at the time you apply for a Building Consent, you may also choose to obtain a Project Information Memorandum (PIM). The PIM will include all information known to Council which may be relevant to the project or site and could identify design elements required specifically for the proposed building works and whether or not you need a Resource Consent. However, a PIM is no longer mandatory with a Building Consent.

Provided that all the required information is supplied with the application, or the application does not require resource consent, Council's aim is to complete processing of building consent applications within 20 working days.

Council can stop the time clock on processing an application if further information is requested.

The relevant Council policies and documents can be downloaded by clicking on the links below

Building Consent Information  124Kb
Building Consent and/or PIM Application Form   3Mb
Building Fees & Charges  269 Kb
Policy on Earthquake-Prone Buildings 836Kb
Pool Fencing Guidlines 114Kb

For further information, contact the Council's Building Control Officer, Ph: (07) 306 9009.

The Department of Building and Housing has a useful Guide for applying for a Building Consent. You will find other helpful information relating to the building process by accessing the links below.

A Beginners Guide to Resource and Building Consent Processes
Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2008
Building (Fee for Determinations) Regulations 2005
Building (Forms) Regulations 2004
Building (Infringement Offences, Fees and Forms) Regulations 2007
Building Levy Order 2005
Building (Minor Variations) Regulations 2008
Building (National Multiple-use Approval) Regulations 2009
Building (Product Certification) Regulations 2008
Building Regulations 1992
Building (Specified Systems, Change the Use, and Earthquake-prone Buildings) Regulations 2005
Compliance Schedule Handbook
Guide to Amending Building Work from the Approved Consent
The Building Act

Links to Licenced Building Practioner Regulations are

Building (Design Work Declared to be Building Work) Order 2007
Building (Designation of Building Work Licensing Classes) Order 2010
Building Practitioners (Complaints and Discplinary Procedures) Regulations 2008
Building Practitioners (Licensing Fees and Levey) Regulations 2010
Building Practitioners (Register of Licencsed Building Practitioners) Regulations 2010

LIM Reports

A Land Information Memorandum (LIM) is a report that is prepared by Council in relation to matters affecting land and buildings on a particular property.

Included in a LIM will be the following information:

• Any special feature of the land including potential erosion, falling debris, sinking, slipping, silting or build-up of land, flooding or likely hazardous pollutants known to the Council.
• Private and public drains and easements known to Council.
• Government valuation of the property and rates struck and owing for the current year. (Note: This will also include water rates where applicable).
• Council consents, certificates, notices, orders and requisitions affecting the land and any buildings on that land.
• Zoning of the property and how the land can be used.
• Certificates issued by a building certifier.
• Any information that has been submitted to Council by other outside statutory organisations or network utility operators relating to the site or general locality.

All requests for a LIM must be in writing. Lim Report Application Form  42Kb. The LIM fee is $150.00 (including GST). Council has 10 working days from the date of receipt to action and complete a LIM. For further information, contact the Council's Building Control Officer, Ph: (07) 306 9009.