Building Control
To view informaton regarding a particluar topic* please click on a title in the list below:
- Building Act 2004
- Building Consent Authority (BCA)
- Project Information Memorandum (PIM)
- Building Consent
- Building Inspections
- Code of Compliance Certificate
- Compliance Schedule
- Other Information
*NOTE: the following information is not all inclusive, for full information regarding Building Consents please click on the following link: Building Consent - Guidance Information
Building Act 2004
The Building Act provides for the regulation of building work, the establishment of a licensing regime for building practitioners, and the setting of performance standards to ensure that:
- People who use buildings can do safely and without endangering their health; and
- Buildings have attributes that contribute appropriately to the health, physical independence and well being of the people who use them; and
- People who use a building can escape from the building if it is on fire; and
- Buildings are designed, constructed and able to be used in ways that promote sustainable development
To achieve this purpose, the Act requires anyone proposing to do building work to obtain a project information memorandum (PIM) and a building consent from a building consent authority before commencing building work.
Please click on the following link to view the full Act: Building Act 2004
Building Consent Authorities
Building consent authorities are regional or territorial authorities or private organisations registered under Section 273 of the Building Act 2004, and are responsible for performing building control functions under Part 2 of the Act.
Project Information Memorandum (PIM)
What is a Project Information Memorandum?
A PIM is a memorandum issued by the territorial authority (Council) under section 34 of the Act and sets out information relevant to your building work. The information is provided on a prescribed form, to view the PIM form please click on the following link: Project Information Memorandum Form
Do I need a Project Information Memorandum?
All applications that require a building consent also require a PIM. This can be applied for seperately or in conjuction with a building consent.
How do I apply for a Project Information Memorandum?
To apply for a PIM please complete the PIM form (signed and dated also) before submitting it to the Council office. All applications must be accompanied by two copies of:
- Site plan
- Floor plan
- Building elevations
- Proposed drainage plans
How long does it take?
Council is required to issue the PIM within twenty (20) working days of the application. Providing all fees are paid the PIM will be posted to the applicant when it is issued. If the PIM is applied for with the Building Consent the timeframe for issue of both is 20 working days.
Sometimes it may be necessary for the Council to obtain further information for the process to be complete. In such cases the Council will contact you within 10 days of receiving the PIM application with a formal request for information. The Council then has 10 working days from when the information is received to issue the PIM.
NOTE: A PIM does not give any form of approval under the District Plan or Building Act.
Building Consent
What is a Building Consent?
A building consent is the formal approval issued by a building consent authority (BCA) that certain works meet the requirements of the New Zealand Building Act, Building Regulations and Building Code.
You cannot undertake any buildingn work that requires a building consent without this approval. Most building work requires a building consent but some minor work is exempt under the Act.
Except work can be found by looking at Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004, this can be found at www.dbh.govt.nz/blc-building-act
When is a Building Consent required?
A building consent is required for most work including:
- Retaining wall over 1.5, (no surcharge)
- Retaining walls of any height incurring a surcharge
- Decks over 1.0m high
- Pergolas attached to buildings
- Free-standing non-habitable buildings larger than 10m2
- Plumbing and drainage work including replacing hot water cylinders
- Demolition
- Relocation
- Additions, alterations to existing buildings
- New buildings
- Change of use
- Heating including fireplaces, ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Small dams (more than 35,000 litres of water)
How long does it take?
Building consent processing time depends on the complexity of your project and whether or not you have provided sufficient information. As with PIM applications approval is required within twenty (20) working days but if the information is deficient the time clock is stopped and a formal request will be made for more information. The time clock is started again when the information is received.
It is possible that the building consent requires checking by several disciplines so then it is possible that the clock may be stopped on more than one occasion.
How do I apply for a Building Consent?
You will need to complete an application: Building Consent Application Form and provide information that is relevant to your building project. A full application pack can be obtained from Council office in Marton or alternatively call the Council and one will be posted to you.
Once we receive your application a vetting officer will check your plans to ensure all relevant information has been provided. Please note that this not a technical assessment, it is merely a check to ensure all necessary information has been provided.
Building consent applications can be complex; we recommend you engage a professional person to help with design work and drawings. Each application must be accompanied by:
- Two sets of plans
- Two sets of specifications
- Two sets of engineering calculations (if applicable)
- Two sets of wall bracing calculations (if applicable)
- An E2 risk matrix (demonstrating weather tightness features)
- Fee (Please view the following page for further information: Fees and Charges)
If all the necessary information is provided and a deposit has been paid or is attached the clock will start the next working day after the application has been accepted.
How long is my Building Consent valid for?
Building consents are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Work must have commenced within the 12 months or the building consent shall lapse requiring a new application.
All building work should be completed within 2 years from the date that the building consent was issued. If the project has been delayed, it may be possible to apply for an extension to this time.
How much will it cost?
That depends on the type of application, cost of work involved and the level of detail provided. Our charges are based on the length of time it takes to process an application. For more information please collect a building consent fees document from the Council (this document is also included in a full building consent application pack). Please view the following page for more information: Fees and Charges
Building Inspections
During the process of the building consent application we will determine what inspections will be necessary to enable us to be satisfied on reasonable grounds that compliance will be achieved. Each inspection will be identified along with the requirements for that particular inspection. A list of inspections will be attached to your building consent.
Code of Compliance Certificate
A Code of Compliance Certificate is the BCA's (Building Consent Authority) verification that all works undertaken comply with the building consent. It is an important document and should be retained for future reference.
It is mandatory to apply for a code compliance certificate after all work has been completed. Council has 20 days to decide whether to issue or to refuse to issue the certificate.
Compliance Schedule
A Compliance Schedule statement is issued at the same time as a code of compliance certificate by the building consent authority and lists the specified systems within the building. It must be replaced in 12 months with a building warrant of fitness.
For more information in regards to Code of Compliance Certificate, Compliance Schedule and Building Warrant of Fitness please read the full Building Consent documentation.
Other Information
The following links are for brochures to give your more information on certain topics:
