Change of Use: A guide for Christchurch City Council temporary business and housing relocations
The change of use provisions under the Building Act are one of the mechanisms used to gradually upgrade existing buildings to current standards. They are also used to make sure a building is appropriate for its proposed use, and any building work made during a change of use meet the requirements of the current Building Code.
As a result of the Christchurch earthquakes many building owners have been forced to temporarily relocate their businesses to residential dwellings, which may trigger a change of use.
The Department has published guidance to assist the Christchurch City Council in applying the change of use provisions under the Building Act when assessing temporary changes of use following the Canterbury earthquakes.