Building ConsentsTono whakaaetanga hangatanga

A building consent is a formal approval from a building consent authority to carry out building work in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. A building consent authority must grant a building consent if it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the provisions of the building code would be met if the building work were properly completed in accordance with the plans and specifications that accompanied the application.

All building work must be carried out in accordance with the Building Code and Council's District Plan whether or not it is exempt from a building consent. It is extremely important that applicants are aware of their responsibilities under the Building Act 2004.

In some instances, a resource consent may be required. If you are unsure whether a resource consent is required or if any specific requirements of the District Plan are required to be met, please contact the Planning Department to discuss your project.

When can building start?

You can start to build once you have BOTH your Building Consent and your Resource Consent (if applicable). Please also view Important Information when applying for a building consent here.

Do NOT start building until you have BOTH these approvals. If a section 37 certificate has been issued with the building consent it will state that until the resource consent has been obtained –

(a) no building work may proceed; or
(b) building work may only proceed to the extent stated in the certificate.

A building consent is required for most work:

• New buildings
• Additions/alterations
• Structural building work.
• Plumbing work
• Drainage work
• Lift and cable cars
• Demolition and relocation of second hand buildings
• Solid fuel heaters (Fireplaces, Woodburners etc)

When a consent lapses

Once your building consent has been issued, the building work that the consent relates to must be started within 12 months. Otherwise the consent will lapse, and you will have to reapply for a new building consent if you wish to proceed with your building work or apply for an extension of time for a further period that the building consent authority may allow.

Council will remind you of this date closer to the time, and you may apply for an extension of time provided you do so before the 12 months is up. There is a fee for this service. Please enquire at Council.

How to apply for a building consent?

All applications are to be submitted via the Objective Build Applicant Platform.

For further information please click here.

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If you wish to speak to a Building Consent Officer prior to submitting your application, please call 06 857 7731 to book an appointment or email BuildingAdmin@chbdc.govt.nz.

You can access the fees and charges page here

You can view a workflow diagram of the Building Consent Process here