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 2021/2022 financial year ending 30 June 2022, 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 16 $4,939 $3,886 to $6,822
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 accessory building (non-habitable) Garages, Carports etc. $0 to $19,999 8 $3,007 $2,399 to $3,382
$20,000 to $100,000 55 $3,590 $2,462 to $4,603
Over $100,000 to $300,000 15 $4,596 $3,222 to $5,720
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 18 $4,429 $2,897 to $5,358
Over $100,000 to $300,000 240 $6,012 $4,542 to $7,493
Over $300,000 to $500,000 703 7,238 $5,966 to $8,763
Over $500,000 404 $10,434 $7,351 to $14,389
Residential external alterations and additions $0 to $19,999 40 $2,532 $1,708 to $3,351
$20,000 to $100,000 361 $3,686 $2,325 to $5,106
Over $100,000 to $300,000 234 $5,045 $3,368 to $6,666
Over $300,000 to $500,000 58 $5,885 $4,114 to $8,269
Over $500,000 22 $7,864 $5,452 to $10,863
Residential internal alterations only $0 to $19,999 19 $2,124 $1,687 to $2,685
$20,000 to $100,000 20 $2,315 $1,742 to $2,881
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 multi-unit dwelling $0 to $19,999 No applications received -  -
$20,000 to $100,000 Sample too small - -
Over $100,000 to $500,000 36 $10,057 $7,456 to $13,402
Over $500,000 to $1,000,000 166 $14,490 $10,424 to $18,357
Over $1,000,000 216 $27,471 $15,856 to $46,429
Residential plumbing and drainage $0 to $19,999 Sample too small - -
$20,000 to $100,000 9 $6,417 $3,309 to $10,898
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 Sample too small - -
$20,000 to $100,000 70 $2,748 $2,102 to $3,424
Over $100,000 to $300,000 Sample too small - -
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 2021/22 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.