Building Control
To view information regarding a particular topic* please click on a title in the list below:
- What is a Building Consent
- Stages of a Building Consent
- Do I need a Building Consent?
- Property Information Memorandum (PIM)?
- How do I apply for a Building Consent?
- Vetting
- Suspending the Application
- Amending the Building Consent
- Issuing of the Building Consent
- Granting of the Building Consent
- Once the Building Consent is Granted, What Next?
- Inspections
- Extension or Cancellation of the Building Consent
- Code Compliance Certificate
- Where to go to seek advice
- External Support
*NOTE: the following information is not all inclusive, for full information regarding Building Consents please contact the Council on 0800 422 522 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
What is a Building Consent
A Building Consent is a formal approval granted by the Building Consent Authority (BCA) which confirms the proposed building work shown in the documentation you provide complies with the New Zealand Building Code, The Building Act 2004 and Building Regulations.
The aim of the Acts and Regulations is to ensure:
- People who use buildings can do so safely and without endangering their health
- Buildings have attributes that contribute appropriately to the health, physical independence and well-being of the people who use them
- People who use a building can escape from the building if it is on fire
- Buildings are designed, constructed and be able to be used in ways that promote sustainable development
The Department of Building and Housing administers the legislation that governs the building industry in New Zealand.
Please click on the following link to view the full Act: Building Act 2004
Stages of a Building Consent
- Applying for a Building Consent
- Granting of a Building Consent and;
- Granting of a Code Compliance Certificate
Once a Building Consent is granted:
- You are given 12 months to commence building work. If no work is started within this timeframe the Building Consent may be cancelled.
- Completion of all building work is required within 24 months from the granting of the Building Consent. If work is not completed within this timeframe a Code Compliance Certificate may not be issued.
Once all work is completed and a final inspection is due, the owner will need to submit a Code Compliance application form to the Building Consent Authority. Once the application is received the final inspection will take place and if all work and inspections meet the requirements of the Building Consent a Code Compliance Certificate will be granted.
No further action is required once a Code Compliance Certificate has been granted for the Building Consent.
Do I need a Building Consent?
There are exceptions where a Building Consent is not required. These exceptions are set out in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004.
Under Exemption K of Schedule 1 the Rangitikei District Council (Territorial Authority) has the ability to exempt some proposed building work which requires a Building Consent, as long as:
- It is unlikely to be carried out otherwise than in accordance with the building code or;
- If carried out otherwise than in accordance with the building code, is unlikely to endanger people or any building, whether on the same land or another property
The Rangitikei District Council has agreed that the following work will be seen as exempt:
- Specialised Garages/Sheds: Single storey garage/shed with no plumbing. Non habitable. To be constructed by the Agent of the specialised Garage/Shed.
- Pole Sheds in Rural Zones Only: Pole sheds less than or equal to 75 square metres. Zoned rurally and with a maximum height of 3.8 metres.
If the proposed building work meets the above criteria, an application for exemption will be required.
Property Information Memorandum (PIM)?
A Property Information Memorandum (PIM) helps you decide whether your planning and building work is possible and practical. When applying for a PIM it is best to do this prior to the granting of a Building Consent and/or a Resource Consent.
A PIM will tell you whether a Resource Consent is required and what the Council knows in regards to the proposed site.
From February 1 2010 PIMs became voluntary.
You have the ability to apply PIM separately or when applying for a Building Consent. The Building Consent Authority has 20 working days to issue the PIM from the date it was lodged.
If the Building Consent Authority requires further information the PIM will be suspended until all the correct information is received. Once the information is received the Building Consent Authority has 10 working days to issue the PIM.
How do I apply for a Building Consent?
A Building Consent application form* is to be completed, either by the Property Owner or their Authorised Agent.
*NOTE: Please ensure the deposit, two sets of plans and specifications are attached and all sections of the application form are completed correctly.
You are able to submit the application form by:
- Mailing the application to the Rangitikei District Council Office, Private Bag 1102 Marton, 4710; or
- Drop it off at the front counter at either the Marton Office (46 High Street, Marton) or the Taihape Office (90-92 Hautapu Street, Taihape); or
- Email the application and documentation to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Vetting
All applications received by the Building Consent Authority will go through a vetting assessment.
The vetting assessment is to ensure all relevant information required for processing by the Building Officer is attached. If the application does not pass the vetting stage it is sent back to the Property Owner/Agent with a letter advising what information is required.
Frequent examples where an application has been returned:
Building
- Building Code Compliance section within the application form is not completed or partially completed
- Letter from the Property Owner giving authority to the Agent is not attached
- A Roof Truss Design Certificate, layout and fixing details from a registered truss designer have not been included
- Engineers calculations/details for a specific design component are missing
- Waste Water Design from a suitably qualified Environmental Engineer are not attached
- Bracing calculations of the layout has been omitted
- Flue and Flashing details, location of smoke alarms and fire specifications missing
- Copy of the Compliance Schedule is not attached and/or the Compliance Schedule section in the application form is not filled in
If accepted after vetting, applications will be lodged. From the lodgement the Building Consent Authority has 20 working days to either: Grant or Refuse to Grant the Building Consent.
Suspending the Application
During the 20 working days, the Building Consent Authority has the ability to suspend an application if further information is needed to accurately process the application.
Whilst on suspension the 20 working day clock stops and will only recommence when all correct information is received.
Examples of where an application will be suspended:
Building
- Information does not comply with the code clauses identified on the application
Assets
- Confirmation if the site is to be serviced by Council services (i.e: waste, water drainage)
- Vehicle access not shown on the site plan
- Backflow prevention device not identified
Planning
- Distances of boundaries from proposed building work not shown on plans
- Height restrictions and daylight set back not identified
Amending the Building Consent
You can at any stage of processing amend the plans and specifications provided to the Building Consent Authority.
Once the Building Consent is granted and you wish to make an amendment (or amendments) to the Building Consent, you will need to complete the Amendment to Building Consent application form. The application is process the same as a normal Building Consent.
Issuing of the Building Consent
Once the Building Consent is issued and further costs are identified an invoice will be sent directly to the Property Owner or Authorised Agent for payment. The Building Consent will not be granted until the outstanding amount is paid in full.
Granting of the Building Consent
Once granted the Building Consent will be posted directly to the Property Owner or Authorised Agent.
The Building Consent will contain the following information:
Form 5 - Building Consent Certificate, the certificate will identify the:
- Location of the building work
- Contact details of the owner
- Description of the building work
- Any Condition(s) and/or Note(s) the building consent is subject too
- Attachments i.e: Section (37, 72 and 75) Certificates
- Where applicable a copy of the Specified System(s) noted on the Compliance Schedule
Owners Site Inspection Record:
- Applicants contact details
- Building Consent number and issue date
- Project description and location
- Required inspections
Form 6 - Application for Code Compliance Certificate, the certificate will identify the:
- Owner and Agent contact details
- Contract who carried out the building work
Plans and Specifications
- Approved plans and specifications for the proposed building work
Please ensure you read all the information attached to the Building Consent to ensure there are no surprises and that you are able to meet the conditions outlined.
If you require clarification in regards to the information attached to the Building Consent please contact the Council on 0800 422 522.
Once the Building Consent is Granted, What Next?
Once the Building Consent is granted and there is no further approvals required (i.e: Resource Consent obtained) work can commence.
Inspections
The Building Consent will identify what stages inspections are needed and what information is to be supplied when applying for a Code Compliance Certificate.
Inspections are undertaken Monday to Friday from 8:15am to 4pm. To book an inspection please contact the Council Customer Services Team on 0800 422 522.
Once the inspection is completed, the Building Officer will fill out the Owners Site Inspection Record. The information recorded will identify if the inspection was passed or whether a re-inspection is required and why.
NOTE: Please be aware that no inspections will take place if the Building Consent is not on site.
If a re-inspection is required due to a failed inspection or the Building Consent is not on site a further cost of $170 will be charged to the Property Owner.
Extension or Cancellation of the Building Consent
Work must commence within 12 months of the consent being granted and completed within 24 months. Reminder letters will be sent to the owner prior to the date of expiry.
If you are unable to start or complete the building work within the period required, you can apply in writing for:
- Cancellation of the Building Consent; or
- Request for extension of time*
*NOTE: The maximum extension which will be granted is 12 months.
Code Compliance Certificate
Once the Code Compliance Certificate application with attached document is received by the Building Consent Authority and the final inspection is complete and approved a Code Compliance Certificate will be sent to the Owner confirming all building work meets the requirements of the Building Code and the Building Act 2004.
Where to go to seek advice?
If at any stage you disagree with the decisions the Building Consent Authority has made you have the right to apply for a determination from the Department of Building and Housing.
Contact details are: Department of Building and Housing, PO Box 10729, The Terrace, WELLINGON 6143
Phone: 0800 242 243 Fax: 04 494 0290 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.dbh.govt.nz
External Support
The following websites may assist you in providing helpful information when applying for a Building Consent:
