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 2020/2021 financial year ending 30 June 2021, 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 | Sample too small | - | - |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Residential accessory building (non-habitable) Garages, Carports etc. | $0 to $19,999 | 11 | $3,411 | $1,904 to $4,396 |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 45 | $3,626 | $2,464 to $4,949 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | 15 | $4,411 | $3,529 to $5,235 | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | No consents received | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | No consents received | - | - | |
| Residential dwelling detached | $0 to $19,999 | No consents received | - | - |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 33 | $4,883 | $3,443 to $7,331 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | 277 | $6,583 | $5,028 to $8,150 | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | 696 | $7,374 | $6,178 to $8,735 | |
| Over $500,000 | 257 | $10,666 | $7,817 to $14,103 | |
| Residential external alterations and additions | $0 to $19,999 | 58 | $2,860 | $1,860 to $4,051 |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 338 | $3,883 | $2,354 to $5,640 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | 170 | $5,232 | $3,264 to $7,867 | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | 50 | $6,586 | $4,405 to $9,435 | |
| Over $500,000 | 18 | $9,058 | $5,374 to $10,727 | |
| Residential internal alterations only | $0 to $19,999 | 21 | $1,929 | $1,537 to $2,314 |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 24 | $2,512 | $1,797 to $4,017 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | No consents received | - | - | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | No consents received | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | No consents 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 | 59 | $8,933 | $6,297 to $11,987 | |
| Over $500,000 to $1,000,000 | 113 | $13,602 | $9,212 to $19,179 | |
| Over $1,000,000 | 136 | $24,421 | $14,409 to $37,855 | |
| Residential plumbing and drainage | $0 to $19,999 | 12 | $2,709 | $1,832 to $3,542 |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 9 | $3,718 | $2,035 to $6,796 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | No consents received | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Residential swimming/spa pool | $0 to $19,999 | Sample too small | - | - |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 57 | $2,812 | $2,102 to $3,660 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | No consents received | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | No consents received | - | - | |
Note
- ‘No consents received’ is when there were no consents received in the last financial year
- 'Sample too small' is when there are six or fewer building consents 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 includes 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 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 2020/21 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.