Whenever you purchase a new property – be it residential or commercial, you likely want to make some changes. However, before you get out your tool kit, it’s worth asking the question: what building work requires a consent? The answer may just surprise you.

What is a Building Consent in NZ?

A building consent is written approval from your local council to carry out a specific type of building work on your property (or someone else’s property). The consent is put in place so that your building alterations comply with the current regulations and building code and don’t endanger the health and safety of others.

What Building Work Requires Consent in NZ?

Whenever you plan to make any changes to a building, it’s crucial to determine whether that work requires consent. We’ve included some of the many things below. If you’re unsure, contact your local council to find out.

• Structural jobs, such as re-piling, some demolition work, alterations, and additions

• Building relocation

• Woodburner or air conditioning system installation

• Plumbing and drainage (for an additional sanitary fixture)

• Retaining walls higher than 1.5m

• Retaining walls higher than 3m in rural areas when designed by a chartered professional engineer

• Swimming pools and their fences

• Fences and walls higher than 2.5m

• Some earthworks

• Bridges, platforms, and decks higher than 1.5m above ground level

• Sheds larger than 30m2 in floor area (If the shed is between 10-30m2, it will require an LBP or engineer or must use lightweight materials in accordance with Acceptable Solution B1/AS1).

How to Apply for a Building Consent

Applying for a building consent is a straightforward process, but there can be a lot involved in it. The person completing the application also needs to understand the Building Code and the application requirements.  

Visit your local council to pick up an application pack, or you can likely download one from their website. You can also learn more about the application process here.

What If I Don’t Get a Building Consent?

Even if you don’t want the hassle of getting a building consent, it’s crucial that you do. Not only do you want to make sure that you’re abiding by the Building Code, but that you aren’t breaking the law.

If you carry out any building work without a building consent that requires one, you may be fined up to $200,000. Every day that you continue to build without consent, you can be fined $20,000 every day or every part day.

What’s more, your council can also issue you with a notice to fix for carrying out building work without consent. This can come with instant fines of $1,000. Your local council can also remove building work if it’s unsafe or unsanitary.

What Doesn’t Require a Consent?

Even though a lot of building work requires a consent in New Zealand, there is plenty that doesn’t. This is good news for the DIYers among us who are more than capable of carrying out building works to a high standard. 

Schedule 1 of the Building Act determines that low-risk work can be exempt from a building consent. There is a long list of things that don’t require consent, such as these below:

• Signage

• Detached, standalone buildings

• General alterations

• Maintenance

• Porches

• Carports

• Playground equipment

However, these are not hard and fast rules. There are some exceptions, which means it’s essential to do your homework before you start building. You may also like to consult an expert for advice, such as a builder, a building consent authority, an electrician, plumber, building consultant, engineer, or surveyor.  

Even if you don’t need consent, you may still wish to hire a licensed building practitioner to assist you for your peace of mind. Not everyone has the skills or time to carry out building work themselves.

For example, people that take all necessary precautions may remove non-friable asbestos if it’s under 10m2. However, many people hire licensed asbestos removalists to take care of it for them.

You may also avoid going through the consent process if the work is urgent. For example, if structural work has to be carried out right now for safety reasons, you may apply for a certificate of acceptance.

When the work is complete on any work that doesn’t require consent, you may still wish to keep the council informed of what you have done. Drawings, photos, and specifications given to the council to put in your property file may prevent any possible issues if the time comes to sell in the future.

Time to Get Started

When the time comes to undertake any building work, talk to as many experts as possible. The more you learn, the less likely you may be to make any mistakes. Enquire with your local council about which jobs require building consent, and don’t be afraid to hire experts even if work doesn’t require a consent.