A project information memorandum (PIM) is a report issued by the Council under Section 34 of the Building Act 2004 at the request of an applicant. The report will provide information relevant to a proposed building project.

While it is not mandatory to obtain a PIM there is a benefit for the designer to obtain one at the design stage.

The purpose of a PIM is to summarise the property information known to the territorial authority relevant to a building project and advise what other authorisations are required for the project other than the building consent. 

Although you can apply for a PIM at the same time as a building consent, it's better to do so beforehand, so you know all the matters that may affect your project before you submit a building consent application.

You can apply for a PIM using our recommended method Online Services(external link).

A PIM must include information related to the property that could impact the project as below:

Authorisations Drainage Land information
  • Requirement to obtain a resource consent if the proposal does not comply with the district plan and/or the Resource Management Act.
  • Requirement to obtain other authorisation from other Acts (e.g. food hygiene licences, alcohol licences).
  • Requirement to obtain an evacuation scheme under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017.
  • Notification to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga if it is a listed property.
  • If access and facilities for persons with disabilities are required.
  • Details relevant to the existing network utility connections (i.e. water, sewer, stormwater) to the property or adjacent to the property.
  • Each special feature/condition of the ground (e.g. erosion, natural hazards, including flooding, risk of contamination).
  • Heritage status of the building.
  • If section 75 (construction of building on 2 or more allotments) applies.

Please note

The following relevant information and services are also available:

A PIM is not an approval to start work. Before you can start you will need a building consent.

To apply for a PIM only, you will need to complete the application form online, or if by post or in person, complete the application for Building Consent and/or Project Information Memorandum (Form 2) - Form B-002 [DOCX, 438 KB] (also available as a PDF [PDF, 106 KB]).

Include the following in your application:

To apply for your project information memorandum we encourage you to submit your application using Online Services(external link).

You will need to register to use this service, however, using it minimises Council administration time and can lead to faster processing times.

If you submit your application through Online Services, you will not have to complete the B-002 application form, as you will complete the application form online.

Online: Visit Online Services(external link) for further information.

Post: Post your application to us at Building Consenting, PO Box 73013, Christchurch 8154. 

In-person: Deliver your application to the Council office at 53 Hereford Street, Christchurch.

Refer to the regulatory and property information service fee schedule.

The Council is currently required to issue a PIM within 20 working days. The statutory time limit begins once we have received all the documents required, and the deposit has been paid.

The cost of processing a PIM is time-based, so the final fee cannot be calculated in advance as it depends on a few variables such as the complexity of the project, the quality of the information etc. 

If you apply online, you will receive an invoice for the deposit. Otherwise, the deposit for the application is payable when you lodge the application.

The Council will credit part of the deposit if the final balance of charges is less than the deposit paid and may also use discretion in refunding part of the deposit if the application is withdrawn very soon after application and no significant processing has taken place.

The PIM may include a:

  • Development Contribution Notice (Section 36) will be included if the project requires financial contributions to be paid, the amount and the date payment is required.
  • Certificate attached to project information memorandum (Section 37) will be included if a resource consent(s) are required for the proposed project.

If you are applying for a combined PIM and Building Consent, please see Apply for building consent instead.

You can withdraw a PIM or building consent application at any time prior to its issue.

To withdraw an application, complete the following application form and either submit online or drop it off at one of our Service centres(external link):