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 2024/2025 financial year ending 30 June 2025, and also include levies collected for Building Research and Building (MBIE). They should be viewed only as a guide to likely fees.

    Consent count Average  80% of fees fell within the following range
Residential accessory building (habitable). Sleepouts etc. $0 to $19,999 Sample too small - -
$20,000 to $100,000 20 $4,896 $3,720 to $5,950
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 $3,365 $2,265 to $4,325
$20,000 to $100,000 50 $3,702 $2,597 to $4,936
Over $100,000 to $300,000 17 $4,787 $3,903 to $6,212
Over $300,000 to $500,000 Sample too small - -
Over $500,000 No applications received - -
Residential dwelling detached $0 to $19,999 Sample too small - -
$20,000 to $100,000 28 $4,217 $2,806 to $6,003
Over $100,000 to $300,000 227 $5,975 $4,690 to $7,341
Over $300,000 to $500,000 454 $6,899 $5,558 to $8,191
Over $500,000 to $1,000,000 368 $9,531 $7,180 to $13,067
Over $1,000,000 73 $15,723 $11,104 to $19,817
Residential external alterations and additions $0 to $19,999 51 $2,846 $1,826 to $4,307
$20,000 to $100,000 300 $3,573 $2,199 to $5,127
Over $100,000 to $300,000 193 $5,215 $3,342 to $7,029
Over $300,000 to $500,000 64 $6,548 $4,285 to $8,623
Over $500,000 41 $10,124 $6,816 to $14,035
Residential internal alterations only $0 to $19,999 22 $2,211 $1,390 to $2,867
$20,000 to $100,000 41 $2,320

$1,630 to $3,494
Over $100,000 to $300,000 Sample too small - -
Over $300,000 to $500,000 Sample too small - -
Over $500,000 No applications received - -
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 39 $9,160 $5,361 to $13,272
Over $500,000 to $1,000,000 124 $13,903 $8,943 to $18,448
Over $1,000,000 263 $24,562 $15,067 to $38,544
Residential plumbing and drainage $0 to $19,999 9 $2,624 $1,967 to $3,172
$20,000 to $100,000 7 $2,811 $1,750 to $3,753
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 swimming/spa pool $0 to $19,999 6 $1,994 $1,340 to $2,601
$20,000 to $100,000 39 $2,837 $1,974 to $4,027
Over $100,000 to $300,000 17 $3,537 $2,462 to $5,811
Over $300,000 to $500,000 No applications received - -
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 2024/25 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.