Building consent process

Step 8: Final design

Engage a suitably qualified designer to produce detailed plans and specifications for what you intend to build. These plans will support your application for building consent and, ultimately, guide your builder. If needed, engage any additional experts to work with your designer (eg, engineers).

Step 9: Apply for building consent

You, (with assistance from a representative such as your builder or designer), then apply for a building consent by filling in and lodging with the council an application form, other necessary information, and the relevant fee. Application forms list each section of the Building Code and ask you to show how your project meets the relevant requirements. The council will also ask you for plans, specifications, and the PIM. Generally the amount of information required will depend on the complexity of your building project.

For more detailed information on applying for a building consent refer to The Guide to Applying for a Building Consent (Simple Residential Buildings) which is available on the Department of Building and Housing’s website.

 The Building Act specifies that building consent applications must be processed within 20 working days. The process goes on hold if the council has to ask for any more information, and it doesn’t start again until the council receives the information it needs. If you get all your documents together before you
lodge your application, the process should go quickly and smoothly.

An incomplete application will take council staff longer to process, and they might charge you accordingly. The fees may be based on the value of the proposed building work and/or the time it takes to complete the assessment.

A council can grant or decline a building consent application. Generally, however, a consent must be granted by a council if it is satisfied that the provisions of the Building Code will be met.

If your application is approved, you should carefully read and be sure that you understand the conditions of your building consent. The consent directs you to build what is shown in your plans, and during inspections, building officials will judge the work against those plans. 

If your application is declined, the council will tell you the reasons why. You may need to seek help from your expert advisors or council staff.

If you believe the council is wrong you can ask the Department of Building and Housing for a determination. Determinations are legally binding decisions on disputes or questions about the rules that apply to buildings. Go to the Department of Building and Housing’s website at www.dbh.govt.nz/determinations to find out more about determinations. Check the ‘previous determinations’ on the website – some of them might be about situations like yours.

A determination can be appealed to the District Court.