In this section we offer answers to frequently asked questions received by the Building Services department.

Q: Does my project need building consent?

A: If you are planning a project that involves demolishing, constructing or altering a building, it is likely you will need some form of consent before you proceed.

Here are some examples of work that require building consent:

• Structural building - additions, alterations, re-piling, demolition.

• Installing or altering plumbing and drainage work (some work of a minor nature is exempt).

• Relocating a building.

• Installing a solid fuel burner.

• Installing or altering a specified system (lifesaving feature).

• Erecting a retaining wall higher than 1.5 metres.

• Fences or walls higher than 2.5 metres and all swimming pool fences.

• Installing or altering a swimming or spa pool.

• Erecting decks, platforms or bridges more than 1.5 metre above ground level.

• Erecting a shed greater than 10 square metres in floor area.

• Erecting a marquee/tent over 100 square metres.

There are certain types of low risk building work that are exempt from requiring a building consent. These are listed under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004.

All building work whether or not it requires a building consent must still comply with the Building Code and other relevant legislation. If the building work is exempt you can still choose to apply for a building consent.

Depending on the nature of your project, you may need to apply for resource consent as well as building consent.

Visit the DCC website for more information. 

Q: Tell me more about the owner-builder exemption for restricted building work? 

A: You can build, renovate or repair your own home using the owner-builder exemption. However, you still need to meet Building Code requirements, apply for consent and advise us.

You need to complete a statutory declaration form to show you meet the owner-builder criteria before you can use the exemption. The form has to be witnessed and signed by a Justice of the Peace or someone else authorised to do so.

All the relevant sections of the statutory declaration form must be completed before it is witnessed and signed. If you need to make any changes it will need to be witnessed and signed again. Please contact us if you need guidance with filling in the form. 

You will need to give the form to us when you submit your building consent application.  A record is placed on the property and disclosed on a LIM.

You cannot carry out all aspects of construction work, even with an owner-builder exemption. There is some specialised building work which must be carried out by a suitably qualified person.

This work includes:

Plumbing

• Gas-fitting

• Drain-laying

• Electrical work

Visit the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website for further information and the statutory declaration form and notice.