Do you need a building consent?

A building consent establishes that your proposed building work meets the Building Act 2004(external link) and the building code(external link). The Building Act sets out the rules for the construction, alteration, demolition and maintenance of new and existing buildings in New Zealand.

These rules ensure that:

• people who use buildings can do so safely and without endangering their health.
• buildings have attributes that contribute appropriately to the health, physical independence, and well-being of the people who use them.
• people who use a building can escape from a building if it is on fire.
• buildings are designed, constructed and able to be used in ways that promote sustainable development.

The Building Act 2004(external link) is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment(external link) (MBIE) Building Performance Group.

The building code sets the mandatory standards for building work. All building work in New Zealand must comply with the building code. The building code states the performances a building and its components must meet.

Please note: It's an offence to build without a building consent if one is needed. It 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.

Working through the building consent process provides building owners with documented assurance that they have taken all the right steps.

In general, you must have a building consent before you start any building work. Some types of building work that is considered low risk may not need building consent under the Building Act.

See the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) website for information on building work that does not require a building consent(external link).

See types of projects for information on building consent requirements for specific types of building projects.

While most building work will need building consent, you can do some building work without a building consent. 

You do not need building consent to carry out building work that is either:

• Building work listed in Schedule 1(external link) of the Building Act 2004 by MBIE.
• Approved by Council via a discretionary exemption application.

See applying for a building consent for specific requirements, application forms and helpful checklists for getting your building project consented.

To reduce processing time, scanning fees and to track your consent application we recommend you apply for building consent online(external link). 

All building and land-use projects must comply with the rules in the District Plan. If your project does not comply, you will need a resource consent.

All building work must be done in accordance with the building code and any other relevant legislation. Some building work may only be carried out by a licensed building practitioner(external link) (LBP) or qualified tradespeople.

Visit the restricted building work page for information about the building work that has to be carried out by a LBP.