A guide about the approximate costs of building consent services.

The fees for building consent services are set out in the building consents fee schedule, including how to pay the fees.

An additional fixed fee for scanning will be charged for hard-copy applications. To avoid scanning fees and minimise application processing times we recommend you use our Online Services.

When you apply for a building consent you will be invoiced the deposit fee. The total cost may vary depending on the time a building consent officer spends processing your application. If we need to request further information this could also have an impact on the total cost and delay the granting of the building consent.

Your building project may also be subject to fees for services provided by other Council units.

Guide to building consent fees and charges

These figures represent consent processing charges for the 2022/2023 financial year ending 30 June 2023, and also include levies collected for Building Research and Building (MBIE). They should be viewed only as a guide to likely fees.

Type Estimated project value Total consent fees (inc. GST)
    Consent count Average  80% of fees fell within the following range
Residential accessory building (habitable). Sleepouts etc. $0 to $19,999 No applications received - -
$20,000 to $100,000 8 $5,433 $3,648 to $6,974
Over $100,000 to $300,000 Sample too small - -
Over $300,000 to $500,000 No applications received - -
Over $500,000 Sample too small - -
Residential accessory building (non-habitable). Garages, carports etc. $0 to $19,999 6 $3,399 $2,474 to $3,771
$20,000 to $100,000 60 $3,828 $2,948 to $5,540
Over $100,000 to $300,000 8 $4,832 $4,045 to $6265
Over $300,000 to $500,000 Sample too small - -
Over $500,000 Sample too small - -
Residential dwelling detached $0 to $19,999 Sample too small - -
$20,000 to $100,000 32 $4,695 $2,880 to $6,617
Over $100,000 to $300,000 157 $6,003 $3,891 to $7,691
Over $300,000 to $500,000 583 $7,529 $6,352 to $8,895
Over $500,000 to $1,000,000 426 $9,745 $7,402 to $13,332
Over $1,000,000 87 $14,931 $10,376 to $19,097
Residential external alterations and additions $0 to $19,999 37 $3,343 $2,081 to $4,241
$20,000 to $100,000 263 $4,169 $2,494 to $5,907
Over $100,000 to $300,000 20 $5,519 $3,670 to $7,820
Over $300,000 to $500,000 59 $6,940 $4,238 to $9,546
Over $500,000 48 $8,936 $5,798 to $12,857
Residential internal alterations only $0 to $19,999 26 $2,111 $1,664 to $2,743
$20,000 to $100,000 37 $3,111 $2,150 to $4,482
Over $100,000 to $300,000 7 $4,977 $3,379 to $5,379
Over $300,000 to $500,000 Sample too small - -
Over $500,000 Sample too small - -
Residential multi-unit dwelling $0 to $19,999 Sample too small -  -
$20,000 to $100,000 Sample too small - -
Over $100,000 to $500,000 18 $11,786 $6,127 to $16,110
Over $500,000 to $1,000,000 167 $14,170 $9,390 to $18,661
Over $1,000,000 258 $24,862 $14,523 to $42,825
Residential plumbing and drainage $0 to $19,999 8 $2,305 $1,904 to $2,763
$20,000 to $100,000 9 $3,655 $2,301 to $4,306
Over $100,000 to $300,000 Sample too small - -
Over $300,000 to $500,000 No applications received - -
Over $500,000 No applications received - -
Residential swimming/spa pool $0 to $19,999 6 $2,055 $1,847 to $2,291
$20,000 to $100,000 32 $2,944 $2,343 to $3,612
Over $100,000 to $300,000 12 $3,488 $2,745 to $4,467
Over $300,000 to $500,000 Sample too small - -
Over $500,000 No applications received - -

Note

  • 'No applications received' is when there were no applications of that type received in the last financial year.
  • 'Sample too small' is when there are six or fewer building consents of that type issued in the last financial year. 

Building consents will cost more when:

  • there are a significant number of requests for information (RFI's) during processing.
  • the value of the building work is higher.
  • the land has the foundation technical category TC3.
  • the land is a hill site.
  • the land is subject to natural hazards (e.g. flooding, rockfall, etc).
  • the building consent is for more than one building, such as a dwelling and an accessory building etc.
  • due to the complexity of the building work, additional inspections are required.
  • the building consent processing requires specialist review (e.g. structural, geotechnical or fire engineer, etc).
  • the building consent is for a multi-unit building.
  • the design of the building work is complex, such as multiple cladding systems, use of alternative solutions, etc.

Disclaimer

The Christchurch City Council is not able to provide you with the total cost of your building consent at the time of lodging your application. This cost is only finalised at the time of granting the building consent.

The fees shown are from all building consent fees charged within the 2022/23 financial year.  The information provided in this guide is intended for your general use and information purposes only. 

The Christchurch City Council accepts no liability for your reliance on this guide.