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Building consent information

Putting together a building consent application can be complex. Depending on the type of work, we recommend you work with an experienced professional, such as a designer or an architect, to help with putting together plans, specifications and required documentation before applying.

What is a building consent?

A building consent is the formal approval issued by a building consent authority (Taupō District Council) that ensures certain works meet the requirements of the Building Act 2004 (the Act), Building Regulations and the Building Code. You cannot undertake any building work that requires a building consent without this approval.

Building work that is considered minor or low risk may not need a building consent under Schedule 1 of the Act.

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Guide to applying for a building consent

Do I need a consent?

A building consent is required for most work including:

  • structural building - additions, alterations to existing buildings and demolition
  • new buildings
  • decks, platforms or bridges more than 1.5 metres above ground level
  • retaining walls higher than 1.5 metres
  • plumbing and drainage work
  • relocating a building
  • changing the use of a building
  • installing a fireplace or airconditioning system
  • fences or walls higher than 2.5 metres
  • swimming or spa pools and their associated fences/safety barriers
  • sheds with a floor area greater than 10 square metres.

Schedule 1 of the Building Act lists the building work exempt from requiring a building consent.

More information
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Schedule 1 guidance
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Work exempt from consent

As a building owner, you are responsible for ensuring any exempt building work complies with the Building Code and that it doesn't breach any other Act.

Although the work may be classed as exempt under the Building Act, other approvals such as resource consent may be required. If you're not sure about other approvals, please phone us on 07 3760899 and talk to one of our development advisors.

You can formally record your exempt building work on your property file by making an application online for exempt building work.

Application for exempt building work

Building on land subject to natural hazards

It's important to consider any natural hazards that could be present on the land when undertaking any building work. Natural hazards include:

  • erosion (including coastal erosion, bank erosion and sheet erosion)
  • falling debris (including soil, rock, snow and ice)
  • subsidence
  • inundation (including flooding, overland flow, storm surge, tidal effects and ponding)
  • slippage.

The Building Act allows, depending on the circumstances, the consent to either be refused or granted subject to a condition that a natural hazard notification is placed on the title. This notification warns future property owners of the potential hazard and reduces the liability for the council. We'll discuss with you the refusal or notification process if this relates to your project.

A project information memorandum (PIM) or land information memorandum (LIM) will identify any hazards we have on file.

More information on what is required when applying for consents involving natural hazards
Taupō District Council Practice Note - Building on land subject to natural hazards
Section 71-74 of the Building Act 2004

Change of use, alterations and extension of life

If you want to change the use of a building, make alterations, or extend its life, you will need to let us know.

Change of use application form (PDF, 383KB)

More information
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Change of use, alterations and extension of life

The relevant sections of the Building Act are:
Section 112 Alterations to an existing building
Section 115 Change of use of a building
Section 116 Extension to specified intended life of a building
Section 116A Subdivision of existing building

Producer statements

Producer statements are documents issued by a suitably qualified professional that give evidence that a design or building work complies, or will comply, with the Building Code.

Specific information is required to be supplied if your applications involves specialist design or building work.

More information
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Producer statements

Example of Producer Statement (PDF, 109KB)
Producer Statement Template for Solid Fuel Heater (PDF, 52KB)
Producer Statement Template for General Construction (PDF, 52KB)
Producer Statement Template - Plumbing (PDF, 56KB)
Producer Statement Template - Drainage (PDF 53KB)

Lapsed consent

A building consent lapses if the building work hasn't commenced within 12 months after the date of issue. For the work to take place, a new building consent is required to be applied for.

We can allow this timeframe to be extended before the consent lapses. Complete an application for extension of time.

Extension of time application form

Certificate for public use

A certificate for public use allows premises affected by building work to be used by the public before the work is signed off as complete.

You can only apply for a certificate for public use if a building consent has been granted but the code compliance certificate has not been issued. We will assess any safety precautions and plans that have been put in place to allow members of the public to use the premises safely.

Certificates for public use do not relieve you, as owner of a building, from the obligation to apply for a code compliance certificate after all the building work has been completed.

Certificate for public use application form

Applications can take up to 20 working days to process and fees are payable. An inspection will be carried out to ensure compliance with public safety.

More Information

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Public access while building or altering a public building

Complaints and appeal process

If you're unhappy with any aspect of our service you can lodge a complaint. You can also appeal any decision we have made to have it reviewed.

You can make a complaint in person, however you must also provide it in writing. Complaints not made in writing or made anonymously will not be actioned.

Complaints should be addressed to:
Building Consents Manager
Taupō District Council
Private Bag 2005
Taupō Mail Centre
Taupō 3351

You'll need to provide us the following information:

  • the date the incident occurred
  • the nature of your complaint (guidance information, vetting, lodgement, inspection, notice to fix, code compliance certificate or compliance schedule)
  • copies of any supporting information (if applicable) and
  • the nature of your relationship with us (customer, regulator, or stakeholder).

We'll respond within three working days of receiving your complaint at which time you may be asked whether you wish to be heard in relation to the compliant or to provide further information.

All complaints will be actioned within 10 working days of receipt of complaint, unless a request for further information is made.

Can I appeal a decision?

Yes, if you do not agree with the outcome you may request a review of the decision. All appeals must be made in writing setting out the reasons why you disagree with the decision.

All appeals should be addressed to:
Building Consents Manager
Taupō District Council
Private Bag 2005
Taupō Mail Centre
Taupō 3351

We'll respond to your appeal within 10 workings days.

Determinations

If you are still unhappy or choose to use an alternative route to settle a matter of doubt or dispute, you may apply to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for a Determination.

More information
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Determinations
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Application for determination (PDF, 435KB)

Additional building consent forms

Memorandum from Licensed Building Practitioner - Certificate of design work (PDF, 346KB)
Advice of Licensed Building Practitioners (online)
Re-activation of a building consent (previously refused) (PDF, 56KB)
Memorandum from Licensed Building Practitioner - Record of building work (PDF, 396KB)
Owner-Builder statutory declaration Form 2B (PDF, 2.41MB)
Notice of Owner-Builder Form 2C (PDF, 453KB)
Notification of existing building work (online)
Notification of existing fire appliance (online)
Correct siting of building form (PDF, 173KB)
Services as laid plan (PDF, 439KB)
Section 73 authorisation - building on land subject to a natural hazard (PDF, 22KB)
Section 74 authorisation - removal of notification for building on land subject to a natural hazard (PDF, 24KB)
Section 75 and 77 authorisation - construction of building on two or more allotments (PDF, 22KB)
Stormwater disposal to soakhole (PDF, 389KB)

Information guides

Access and Egress Requirements for Disabled Persons in Public Buildings (PDF, 675KB)
Alterations to Dwelling for Small Home Based Businesses (PDF, 684KB)
Certificate of Acceptance (PDF, 855KB)
Change of Use (PDF, 689KB)
Fences: Neighbours (PDF, 665KB)
Finished Ground (PDF, 787KB)
Garden Sheds and Detached Buildings (PDF, 659KB)
Relocation/Demolition/Removal of Buildings (PDF, 664KB)
Retaining Walls (PDF, 324KB)
Site Development (PDF, 667KB)
Marquees (PDF, 661KB)

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