See below for helpful tips and reminders.

How to compete a building consent application form

Guidance has been developed to assist you or your agent with filling in a building consent application form. This guidance is available with all our application packs.

The Building Act requires that all sections of the application form be completed in full.  Information collected in this form is utilised by government departments such as, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Statistics New Zealand and Fire and Emergency New Zealand.  Applications will be declined if the form is not completed in full.

Please take the time to make sure that all the information is relevant, correct and complete.

Current lawfully established use - it is important this section of the application form is completed.  Even a retaining wall has a current lawfully established use.

Our website is a great resource with helpful information on this topic.  If the building is new nominate the proposed use. The number of occupants is also required to be specified on the application form.

Request to withdraw a building consent

A building consent application or issued building consent can be withdrawn by the owner if the work has not started.  A formal request is required to be made to the Dunedin City Council (DCC) Team Leader Consents by the applicant/agent or owner. The request should include payee and bank account details for a refund (if applicable).  This is in line with DCC’s preference to pay all monies direct to bank accounts where possible.  Refunds are dependent on monies not expended, the age of the consent and the DCC fee regime that was current at the time of lodgement.

Exempt building work

Exempt building work being done as part of the project, in conjunction with building work that requires building consent - The DCC may be held responsible for all building work shown on consent documents, even when marked as exempt and not part of the consent.  It is acceptable to show a general outline of exempt building work on a site plan, elevation or cross section so long as it is labelled as exempt.  If construction details such as joist sizes, fixings or flashing details are shown on consent documents they will be processed as part of the consent irrespective of being labelled as exempt.  Additional delays and processing charges may apply.

Restricted building work

Only include a certificate of design work from a licensed building practitioner if the application includes restricted building work.  Certificates of design that are received when not required will be removed from the application.  Refer to the restricted building work flow chart below.

Certificate of title

If a certificate of title is required when applying for a building consent, please make sure the copy is less than 6 months old.  A full copy of the current title is required, including easments, consent notices and encumbrances of listed.

Paying for your building consent - notifying DCC (Internet banking)

It is not necessary to advise us you have paid your invoice by internet banking. We have systems in place that alerts us that payment has been received and this in turn enables us to dispatch the building consent.   

Email notifications from Building Services

If you receive an email notification from us that has  DO NOT REPLY in the subject line, then please do not reply directly to the email. A link or email address you can reply to will be available in the body of the email to enable you to send a response if required.