Do you need consent?

Please note:  We recommend you contact one of our planners to talk about your building project to check compliance with the District Plan. Even if it does not need a building consent, it may require a resource consent. You can contact the duty planner on 04 5272169 or email resourceconsents@uhcc.govt.nz.

Buildings cannot be constructed, altered, demolished, or removed without building consent. However under section 41 of the Building Act, building consent is not required in certain cases such as:

  • Any building work described in Schedule 1 of the Building Act for which a building consent is not required.
  • Urgent work for the purpose of saving or protecting life or health or preventing serious damage to property, where obtaining a building consent prior is impracticable. If you believe your situation meets the test for urgent works please contact us so we can advise you on practicalities and other requirements.
  • Energy work (gas fitting or prescribed electrical work) does not require a building consent unless the energy work relates to any specified system that is contained in, or proposed to be contained in, any building.

Check if you need a building consent and see if your planned work is exempt: building work consent not required. If your proposed work is not exempt then you will need to apply for a building consent.

Use the BUILDIT tool to see if you require building consent

If you’re not sure phone us on (04) 5272169 or email buildingadmin@uhcc.govt.nz to book a pre-lodgement appointment and bring your application documents and plans with you. 

For commercial building work, we recommend booking in for a pre-lodgement meeting.

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New building consent exemptions

New building consent exemptions took effect from 31 August 2020 as The Government added additional building consent exemptions to the Building Act. Find out more at building.govt.nz.

MBIE have developed a new interactive tool for home owners to support their understanding of building consent exemptions for some of the more common projects. 

Give the Build It tool a try

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