Apply for a building consent

Applying for a building consent can be complex and is most often best left to professional designers to make the application on an owner’s behalf.

Making an application

Apply for a building consent online through the Objective Build Portal. If you are a new user, you will need to register before applying.

If you do not have internet access you can apply by filling out a Building consent application form, available from our friendly team in the office.

You will need to provide a properly completed application form, supporting plans, and specifications.

You will also need to include relevant product information.

The information submitted must be site and project specific.

Picking the right people

Picking the right people and using competent design professionals to make an application on your behalf can make the process a lot easier. Do your homework before selecting a design professional. Talk to some of their previous clients and look at some of their work. Talk to friends and families and check if they belong to professional organisations.

If the work involves work by an accredited and registered modular component manufacturer, their certificate must be included with the application.

Council’s role in the application

Council will check the application to make sure the information is complete and appears accurate. This is not a full technical check, just an overview.

If the information is not appropriate the application will either be refused and a new application will need to be made, or questions will be sent to the applicant (this is called an SRFI).

Once the application is accepted the processing clock is started. You will be invoiced once your application has been accepted.

Residential properties and licensed building practitioners

Where your work is on a residential property, you will need to provide documentation from a licensed building practitioner.

Licensed building practitioners [LBPs] are licensed by the Ministry of Business innovation and employment to design and build restricted building work.

LBPs are building practitioners who have been assessed as competent to carry out building work essential to the structure or weathertightness of residential buildings.

Visit www.lbp.govt.nz for more information on the scheme.

Owner builder exemption

Homeowners can still do their own work on their own houses however there are some specific rules that apply.

Owners must obtain an owner builder exemption.

In most cases the processing clock allows 20 working days for us to grant your consent, but where the application includes a national multiuse approval issued by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, then 10 working days applies.

Visit the building.govt.nz website for more about owner builder exemptions.

Alternative products approval

Recent changes to the Building Act have allowed for changes to the Building consent application form (Form 2) allowing you to apply for alternative systems with the consent approval.

If you want to include alternative products you must ensure that the alternative products have site specific plans and details to support the use of those products or systems. This could for example an additional set of plans for each alternative.

BuiltReady modular component manufacturing scheme

BuiltReady is the new modular component manufacturing scheme which will allow manufacturers who meet certain requirements to access a streamlined consenting pathway. This pathway allows them to provide certificates covering their design and/or manufacture of modular components. These components will be ‘deemed to comply’ with the Building Code. Although no one has approval as yet, if you wat to rely on builtReady, you will need to include relevant documentation with your building consent application

Overseas products and standards

Changes in the Building Act will allow MBIE to nominate Overseas standards organisations that could be recognised as providing standards equal to, or better than what we already have in New Zealand include Standards Australia, British Standards Institute [BSI], International Organisation for Standardisation [ISO], American Society for Testing and Materials [ASTM].

If you are using a product that is subject to overseas standards you will need to provide an explanation supporting that product with you application

In addition MBIE can require Councils to accept overseas product certification schemes as a way to establish Building Code Compliance. For example The Chief Executive may specify that products certified under the Australian WaterMark certification scheme are suitable for New Zealand.

Timeframes

In most cases the processing clock allows 20 working days for us to grant your consent, but where the application includes a national multiuse approval issued by The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, then 10 working days applies.

The secret to getting your consent fast is making sure the information you submit is clear concise and accurately describes or shows how Building Code compliance will be achieved.

Project Information Memorandum (PIM)

In addition to applying for a consent you can apply for a Project Information memorandum (PIM).

PiMs provide useful information about your property that may affect your design. In some cases, applying for a PIM before developing a full set of documentation may save time making changes later.

Typically consents relate to either residential or commercial buildings. These will have different requirements.

For commercial work you will, need to include information in any specified systems ( fire alarms emergency lighting etc)  such as performance Standards and inspection maintenance and reporting procedures and fire and access reports.

A fee will apply when you make an application, you will be invoiced. This can be paid via internet banking or over the counter at council. Please note:  payments cannot be made using credit cards.

Visit our PIM page for more information.

Hint: Do your homework

Before you go too far, do some homework on the people that you want to use to turn your dreams into a reality. Check with their previous clients, ask around friends get referee’s etc. Using the right people will make the project far less stressful.

Fees & Charges

A fee will apply when you make an application, you will be invoiced. This can be paid via internet banking or over the counter at Council’s offices.

Note: payments cannot be made using credit cards.