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Apply for a building consent

Objective Build is now live

Objective Build, our new online platform for building consent applications is now live. Find out more about Objective Build.

What you need to know

Submitting a good quality building consent application with all the necessary information can reduce delays in processing.

If you are unfamiliar with building plans and compliance with the Building Code, you may need to engage a professional to supply the required drawings and information. They can also apply for a building consent on your behalf.

Build types and checklists

Use the relevant checklist to help determine what information you need to supply with your application:

Restricted building work

Restricted building work is work that is critical to make a home structurally sound and weathertight. A licensed building practitioner must carry out or supervise restricted building work.

Learn more about restricted building work.

How to apply

Our preferred method of applying for a building consent application is online using Objective Build. You will need to create an account, or login to your existing account, before you can start an application.

See our Objective Build training guides and resources

If you wish to apply by email or hard copy, you can request a PDF application form by calling us on 07 376 0899 or email buildingconsents@taupo.govt.nz. Please note an additional fee will be charged for applications not lodged through Objective Build.

Apply

The best way to apply for a building consent is using Objective Build.

Apply for Building Consent (go to Objective Build)

After submitting your application

All applications are put through a vetting process to check that we have the basic information required to start processing your application.

Your application will either be:

  • returned as incomplete with a checklist identifying the missing information, or
  • accepted for processing.

After your application has been accepted, it will be allocated to one of our building management officers to process.

The officer will check your application complies with the requirements of the Building Act, the associated regulations and the Building Code.

We have 20 working days to process your application. If we need to ask you for further information then the 20 working day clock will be paused until that information has been received in full.

If the application is for a National Multiple-Use Approval (Multiproof) or BuiltReady, the timeframe for processing is 10 working days.

Check your application status

You can check on the status of your building consent application at any time by using our search function. You can search by consent number, street number and street name or legal description.

Check consent status

Fire and Emergency New Zealand

There is a requirement (by law) for some applications to be sent to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) for review. This review provides feedback on the compliance of the proposed design and the ability for people to escape fire safely. There will be additional fees to pay if your application needs to be reviewed by FENZ.

Learn more about the applications that need to be reviewed by FENZ.

Development Engineer

Your application will be checked by our development engineer for hazards on the site, consent notices, resource consent conditions, soil conditions, geotechnical and stormwater reports, stormwater control design, public services and other site related issues.

Resource Consents Planner

A planner will check whether your application complies with the District Plan and Resource Management Act, whether you need to apply for a resource consent or that you are complying with the conditions of an existing resource consent. If you're advised that you need to apply for a resource consent or you have a related resource consent that is not granted yet, a section 37 certificate will be attached to your building consent preventing you from starting work until a resource consent is obtained.

Development Contributions

An assessment of your proposed works will be undertaken to determine if a Development Contribution is applicable.

Learn more about Development Contributions

Once your application has been assessed and we are satisfied on reasonable grounds, under section 49 of the Building Act 2004, that your proposal complies with the Building Code, the consent will be granted.

This means the Building Consent Authority is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the provisions of the building code would be met if the building work were properly completed in accordance with the plans and specifications that accompanied the application.

We will advise the decision by email along with an invoice for the relevant consent fees.

If your application is declined, we will tell you the reasons why. If you do not agree with the outcome you may request a review of the decision.

Building consent fees and payment

Fees will be calculated based on the time taken to process your application and can include costs such as:

  • levies payable to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (payable on all applications with an estimated value of $65,000 or more)
  • levies payable to BRANZ (payable on all applications with an estimated value of $65,000 or more)
  • administration time spent processing the application
  • building officer time spent processing the application
  • project or council information memorandum
  • inspections (number vary depending on application)
  • building consent authority administration fee
  • water connection (if applicable)
  • notifications made under section 73 of the Act
  • registration of a condition made under section 75 of the Act.

Depending on the type of application, other fees not listed above may also be applicable.

See our building consent fees and charges

How to pay for your consent

Payments for a building consent can be made online by credit card or by using internet banking.

*Make sure to quote your building consent number (e.g. BCXXXXXX) when paying by internet banking to ensure your payment is allocated to the correct account. Payments made without a suitable reference may result in a delay issuing your approved consent.

Issuing your consent and conditions

Once you have paid the outstanding fees, we will issue your building consent as per the delivery method identified when your application was submitted. Conditions and advice notes may be placed on your building consent at issue stage.

Conditions are requirements imposed on your Building Consent, these are deemed necessary to ensure the compliance of the proposed building. The conditions are listed on the building consent and you must comply with these conditions. The following are allowable conditions under the Building Act 2004 and regulations:

  • Section 67(2) RE: Waivers and modification
  • Section 73 RE: Natural Hazards
  • Section 75(2) RE: Building on 2 or more allotments
  • Section 90 RE: Inspections by building consent authorities
    NOTE: This can also include any third party certification that the building work complies with the plans and specifications, for example, producer statements or memoranda.
  • Section 113 (2) RE: buildings with specified intended lives

Advice or advisory notes may also be attached to the Building Consent. This information is provided to assist you. An example could be that a resource consent is required to be obtained before building work can commence (section 37).

It is important that you read and understand all these requirements prior to commencing work. If you do not understand any requirement imposed, please contact your Building Officer.

Required items, including a list of required inspections and documents, are attached to your approved plans. These are important advice notes and conditions that you need to read and understand.

Starting your build

Once you receive your building consent, the building work needs to start within 12 months of the date of issue. If a resource consent is required, you may need to wait until that is also issued before starting your building work.

Inspections should be booked at the relevant stages throughout your building project.

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