A building consent is a formal approval to undertake building work in accordance with approved plans and specifications. A building consent establishes that your proposed building work complies with the Building Act.
If you need a building consent, you must get it before building work starts. Building without a consent if one is needed, could result in fines and possibly the removal of the building work. It may also make it difficult for you to sell the building or get insurance.
A building consent is required for most building work, including:
- New buildings (unless exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act)
- Alterations to buildings (unless exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act)
- Additions to buildings
- Drainage work and adding plumbing fixtures
- Relocating buildings
- Installing, replacing and relocating solid fuel heating appliances
- Installing and altering specified systems
- Swimming pool fencing and most swimming pools
- Retaining walls (unless exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act)
- Change of use of buildings
There may be other legislation that you will also need to comply with and can be found at New Zealand Legislation website. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Building Regulations (includes the Building Code)
- Resource Management Act 1991
- Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006
- Electricity Act 1992
- Health Act 1956
- Any local government bylaws
If you are undertaking a building or renovation project and have any doubts about the responsibilities, please contact Council’s building department and make an appointment to see one of our Building Inspectors.
To find out whether you need to apply for building consent for your building project, you can contact Council’s duty inspectors. Get in touch by email BDC-Duty.Inspector@bdc.govt.nz , or phone 03 788 9111 between 10am -12pm Monday to Friday.