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Getting your ideas together

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Step 1: Initial preparations

When first thinking about your building project there are some key things you need to do. Firstly, you need to be clear about what you want to build and how much it might cost. It may be helpful to write your ideas down, draw some preliminary sketches, and take photos to help you explain to others what you want to do.

You should read information about the resource and building consent processes that you can find in the guides referred to throughout this document. This will help you understand who you need to see, other information you will need to collect, and where you can obtain further advice.

Your local district or city council is your primary point of contact, and there are a number of people you will need to deal with there.

  • Customer service staff: They may handle your initial queries and provide you with guidance and information. They may be supported by qualified resource consent and building control staff, or they may refer detailed queries to such experts.
  • Resource consent staff: Often called ‘planning officers’ or ‘consents officers’, they will deal with your specific queries about the RMA, local plans, and resource consent requirements. They are likely to process your application for resource consent, should you need one.
  • Building control staff: Also called ‘building officials’, they will deal with your specific queries about the Building Act, the Building Code, and building consent requirements. They are likely to process your application for a building consent.
  • Experts: If your project is complex, you will probably need expert help. You might need to employ a planner, designer, architect, engineer, surveyor, or other specialists to help prepare your applications for resource and building consents. Local councils may direct you to contact lists for
    such experts.

Tom and Mary have always known they would need a building consent.

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Step 2: Preliminary design

This information is needed to help you:

  • discuss with the council, your neighbours and other affected people what you propose to do
  • refine your ideas in light of those discussions
  • confirm the costs and overall feasibility of the project
  • progress smoothly through later steps in the process.

Step 3: Get a Projectnformation Memorandum (PIM)

When Tom spoke initially to the council's resource consent planner, he was advised to apply for his PIM sooner rather than later. A PIM is a report issued by councils under the Building Act to help you decide whether your planning and building project is possible and practical. Ideally, you should apply for a PIM at an early stage: before applying for a resource consent; or (when you don’t need a resource consent) before applying for a building consent.

A PIM will tell you what the council knows about the proposed site and requirements of the RMA including whether you may need a resource consent) and other Acts that might affect your proposal and require separate approvals. For example:

  • the location of underground pipes, natural hazards, soil types and other ground conditions
  • the relevant provisions of the council’s district plan, council bylaws, the Fire Service Act 1975, the Local Government Act 2002 and the Historic Places Act 1993.

Your council will provide you with a PIM application form. The  form must be submitted to the council with the required fee (each council sets its own fees which are usually published on their website) and include, or be accompanied by information such as:

  • the intended use of the building
  • the location, description and external dimensions of the proposed building
  • any change of use, subdivision details, and previous building consents issued for the project
  • proposed vehicle access, stormwater and wastewater disposal, and connections to public utilities
  • precautions to protect any existing drains, sewers, wells or water mains
  • matters potentially relevant under the RMA (such as modified site contours and sunlight access planes).

Allow plenty of time (at least several weeks) for you and any experts you employ to collect and present the information needed for the PIM application. The council can request further information after you submit the application.

The council must issue the PIM within 20 working days after receiving the application, or within 10 working days after any further information has been received.

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Step 4: Confirm consent requirements

At this point, you will know whether you need both a resource consent and building consent for your  project. It is important that you have these specific requirements confirmed in writing from your council, either in a PIM, or in a letter.

If it is clear that you do not need a resource consent, then you can proceed directly to Step 8.

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