Tree consents

A tree resource consent is written approval from council allowing you to carry out work on trees that are protected under our District Plan. The District Plan is a legal document that we are required to prepare under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991. It has information about how we manage our natural and built or physical resources, and how we enable or restrict the way land is used or developed in our city.

North Shore City District Plan
Why do I need resource consent?
How do I apply for resource consent?
How long does it take?
How much will it cost for resource consent?
Forms

North Shore City District Plan

The District Plan is also available to view at Environmental Services, area offices and libraries. Alternatively, contact our Environmental Services helpdesk on 486 8600 to find out whether you need resource consent.

Why do I need resource consent?

The RMA promotes the sustainable management of natural and physical resources. Generally if you require resource consent it’s because your proposal has the potential to have an adverse effect on the environment (which can include people, vegetation, buildings and structures).

How do I apply for resource consent?

Applying for a tree resource consent is often a relatively simple process. However in some cases there may be many different factors to consider. For more information, advice and an application form, please contact our Environmental Services helpdesk on 486 8600. Alternatively, drop into your local area office or Environmental Services at 521 Lake Road, Takapuna. We can help you ensure you provide correct and complete information for us to process your application. Unfortunately, if you don’t provide the right information or the level of detail required your application will not be accepted.

How long does it take?

We consult the RMA to see whether to notify the public about proposals that require resource consent. The length of time tree resource consents take to process depends on what level of impact the works will have on the environment and whether you have provided us with sufficient information.

• Non-notified applications

If we don’t need to inform people about your application and you provide complete and correct information, it will take about one month to process. Minor tree consents often take less time to process.

• Notified applications

We need to inform people about your application if the work to the tree(s) is likely to have an adverse effect on the environment that is more than minor and/or there are parties who will be adversely affected. This involves placing a public notice in newspapers and sending letters to people deemed to be affected. Notification enables people to support or oppose resource consent applications if they feel strongly about them. These applications take about three months to process.

How much will it cost for resource consent?

All non-notified resource consent applications relating solely to trees are free to the applicant. We will cover the costs of processing the application because of the value that trees provide for the wider community. However, if the resource consent is processed as a notified application, there will be a set charge of $500.

Forms

Resource Land Use - Trees PDF (387KB)

You will need Acrobat Reader to view the documents which can be downloaded free from www.adobe.com