Building consent information and application form

Environmental Services

Image of a house. Building consent information and application forms

A building consent is required for most building work including:

pools, retaining walls, garages and carports, alterations including extensions, new buildings and some decks and fences
plumbing and drainage work
heating including fireplaces, ventilation and air conditioning systems
lifts
demolition
relocation of old buildings
change of use of buildings

Please read the below information before submitting a building consent application.

Completing the application form in full and providing all the information listed will ensure you submit everything needed for us to accept your application. Processing delays will result if the information you submit is incomplete or does not provide the level of detail required.

Some building consent applications can be complex therefore we recommend you appoint an architect, draughtsperson, builder, engineer and/or other qualified consultant to assist you.

What is a building consent?
Why do I need building consent?
How do I apply for building consent?
How long does it take?
Do I need resource consent as well?
What about building inspections?
How long is my building consent valid for?
How much will my building consent cost?
Erosion and Sediment Control
Change of billing details
What if I have more questions?
Building consent application and information forms
Additional information

What is a building consent?

A building consent is approval from Council for you to carry out building works at a specific site, and will ensure that building, plumbing, drainage and fire safety requirements are in compliance with the NZ Building Code.

Why do I need building consent?

You are required under the Building Act 2004 to carry out building work with a building consent. However, there are some minor building works that do not require a building consent listed in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004. Building work carried out without a building consent is regarded as illegal work, and often costly to set right and may put people‘s safety or property at risk. Illegal building works may also impact on your insurance cover and/or house sale negotiations.

How do I apply for building consent?

Completing the application form in full and providing all the information listed in this pack will ensure you submit everything needed for us to accept your application. Processing delays will result if the information submitted is incomplete or does not provide the level of detail required.

A large number of building consent applications are delayed or rejected because of insufficient information relating to the engineering aspects of a proposal. This information may include (but is not limited to) a geotechnical report, a flood risk assessment and/or drainage, pipe and stormwater reports - we recommend you seek professional advice to assist you in collating this information.

All applications should be lodged in person at Environmental Services. It is advisable to have your architect, builder or other consultant attend the lodgement meeting or have them contactable at this time. Call Actionline on 486 8600 for a lodgement meeting.

How long does it take?

The length of time building consents take to process depends on the complexity of your building consent and whether or not you have provided us with sufficient information. Consent applications for building consents will be processed within 20 working days.

Do I need resource consent as well?

A large percentage of people who apply for a building consent in North Shore City also require resource consent. This depends on the location (zoning) of the building site, the nature of the proposed project, and whether or not it complies with the North Shore City District Plan. If the proposed building works are not permitted by our District Plan resource consent is required.

Depending on the zone of the property, some common examples of building projects requiring resource consent include:

building in close proximity to property boundaries
excavating to a depth of 1.5m or more
building on a coastal property
changing the use of a residential or commercial building (you may require more carparks)
building over an area that covers more land than existing buildings

If resource consent is required you cannot start any building work until a resource consent has been granted. Please contact the Environmental Services helpdesk for further information about resource consents.

What about building inspections?

Inspections are required at various stages of your building project to ensure compliance with the approved building plans and the NZ Building Code. The inspections required will be listed on your consent. It is your responsibility to contact the Council to book inspections. It should be noted that the Council does not act as a clerk of works and therefore does not guarantee workmanship.

How long is my building consent valid for?

A building consent lapses and is of no effect if the building work does not commence within 12 months after the date of issue of the building consent. The building work is required to be completed within a two-year period from the date the building consent was issued, unless an extension of this period has been granted by the Council.

How much will my building consent cost?

The cost of a building consent varies depending on the complexity and dollar value of your building project. Bonds may also be charged. Our advisors can provide a fee estimate for your project in advance, but an invoice will not be provided until you submit your application. Please do not write out cheques in advance based on the fee estimate - this is a guide only. Fee invoices must be paid when you submit your application by cheque, cash or EFTPOS.

If you cancel your consent application some fees may still apply.

Erosion and Sediment Control

From July 1 2006, erosion and sediment control plans will have to be submitted as part of any building or resource consent process which will result in more than 50 square metres of site area being disturbed.

Landowners, contractors and developers are required to follow the measures outlined in the pamphlet, Erosion and Sediment control on Small Development Sites (E&S 01), to help minimise erosion and prevent sediment discharge into our waters. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in failed building inspections, which means time delays with the inspection process and additional costs as a result of follow-up visits from compliance officers and building inspectors. Ongoing non-compliance could result in enforcement action being taken.

Copies of the pamphlet are included with all building application packs, or can be obtained by calling Actionline on 486 8600 or by downloading an electronic copy of the pamphlet from the Building consent application and information list below.

Change of billing details

Whenever you need to change the billing details of the person(s) responsible for payments regarding your consent, please complete the Change of Billing Details Form and hand it to one of the Cashiers at Environmental Services, 521 Lake Road, Takapuna, or mail the completed form to Environmental Services, Private Bag 93500, Takapuna, North Shore City. Please ensure that form is fully completed and signed by the person(s) who accept responsibility for payments. An electronic copy of this form can be downloaded from the Building consent application and information list below.

What if I have more questions?

For more information or advice on preparing building consent applications contact our Environmental Services helpdesk by calling Actionline on 486 8600.

Building consent application and information forms

Proposed Plan Changes 22 - 25 Information Sheet (131 KB)
Application for Compliance Schedule/Amendment to Compliance Schedule PDF (140 KB)
Application for certificate for public use - Form 15 PDF (141 KB)
Building Consent Application Form PDF (135KB)
Certification of Establishment of Erosion & Sediment Control Measures (E&S 03)(30 KB)
Certificate of acceptance application form (form 8) PDF (111 KB)
Checklist for completeness of applications for building consents PDF (223KB)
Code compliance certificate PDF (52KB)
Erosion and Sediment Control on Small Development Sites (E&S 01)] PDF (60 KB)
Erosion and Sediment Control Guide and Checklist for Small Sites (E&S 02) (60 KB)
Request to Change Billing Details PDF (25 KB)
Smoke alarms PDF (76KB)
Weathertightness and the use of cladding systems PDF (413 KB)