Frequently asked questions

Typical works exempt from requiring a building consent are like-for-like replacement of building elements (e.g., replacing roofing with the same type of roofing if it is older than 15 years, etc.,) Check out the full list of exempt works to see if you need a building consent.

The cost of the consent is dependent on the cost of the work to be done.  A typical calculation of the fee you are to pay can be done using this formula:

Building consent = base fee for category + building levy + BRANZ levy + accreditation levy + extra inspection/s fee (if any)

See the Forms and fees page for details.

In some cases the actual costs of a project may exceed the estimated base fee due to complexity and additional inspections may be requested. At the end of the project if the actual costs have significantly exceeded the base fee, an invoice for the additional costs will be sent and are required to be paid in full before a Code Compliance Certificate can be issued.

If the value of the work is over $20,444, building and BRANZ levies must be added. The accreditation levy applies to all building consents.

We have 20 working days to issue a decision on your building consent application, except for MultiProof consents where 10 working days apply. If any information is required to confirm compliance with the Building Code, the clock will stop until the information is received. You can contact us to find out the status of your application - make sure you have the consent number or property address handy. For details see our Residential building consents page.

Please note that building work cannot start until the building consent has been issued.

You have 12 months to start building from the date your consent is issued otherwise your consent will lapse and you will need to reapply. Please contact us if you think you may need to extend this time, a fee may apply.

You have two years from the date the building consent is granted. Contact us if you need to have this extended, a fee may apply.

Online applications

You can find information on how to make changes to an online building consent application at Apply for a building consent online

Paper-based applications

You need to complete the application for PIM and/or building consent form and include two copies of the plans. Any additional fees for altering your building consent will apply.

Application for PIM and/or building consent form

Give us a call on 06 759 6060 to book your inspection. Make sure you have your building consent number handy. We need at least 24 hour’s notice but will try and fit your inspection in within three days.

To enable us to issue the required code compliance certificate (CCC) you need to let us know when the work is completed. An application for a CCC is included in your building consent pack or it can be completed online through the building consent portal (if you applied for your building consent online). If you are completing a paper-based application you can drop off the CCC application form to us when all building work is completed and we’ll set up a final inspection. Make sure you let us know:

• building consent number
• contact name
• phone number
• location address
• preferred day of inspection
• morning or afternoon.

Upon completion and approval of the final inspection your building consent and CCC application will undergo a final audit and fees check. This audit may show information missing from the building consent (e.g. producer statement, gas or electrical certificates or adjustments made without amendments). We will not issue a CCC until every aspect of your building consent is signed off.

Also, one of the requirements for issuing a CCC is the payment of all fees and charges. This requirement is under Local Government Act 2002, section 208 and Building Act 2004, section 95.

CCCs must be processed within 20 working days of receiving your complete application. If we need more information or documentation from you, we will stop the clock until the information is received.

You can apply for a waiver or modification to certain requirements of the Building Code so that a building consent may be issued even though it does not comply, e.g. a firewall along a boundary wall that is alongside a right of way. You need to declare on your building consent application what part of the building code you are applying for a waiver or modification.

Application for waiver or modification form

If the work was done after July 1992 you will need to apply for a certificate of acceptance. The building work will be assessed against current Building Code requirements.

If the work was done before July 1992, you need to apply for registration of unpermitted/unrecorded work. We may inspect the work, especially where there is a possibility of safety or sanitary issues.

We can check and ascertain whether the work being done by your neighbour does require a consent or not. If it does, then we can request the owner to stop work until the matter is resolved. Please contact us with the address and building work details.

If building work has not been carried out recently on the property or if it is not Council-owned then unfortunately this is a private issue between neighbours.

If the property or pipes responsible for the stormwater overflow are Council-owned then let us know and we’ll get one of our team to check it out.

If the property has recently had building work carried out we will see if there is a building consent and see if the building work has been finished (e.g., the downpipes may not have been connected).

The only way to find the true boundary is to contact a Registered Surveyor, however, we can let you know the approximate distances from one boundary to another. Just give us a call on 06 759 6060 or pop in to the Civic Centre or one of the service centres.

You can read all the requirements on our Swimming pools page.

Until the works stated in the letter are rectified, the pool needs to be made safe (by emptying it to a level of 400mm or less). Once the works are completed, contact us to book an inspection. 

Our online application system has been designed to make it easier for you as a customer to apply and pay online, track the progress of your application, check any correspondence from us in one place, and download your approved consent.  For NPDC, the online system streamlines our process, enabling us to action your application more efficiently, and allow multiple staff to work on different aspects of a consent at the same time.

We usually process consents within 20 working days from the date of application.  However if we need to contact you requesting further information for your application, or you’ve submitted an incomplete application, the length of time will depend on how long it takes for us to receive the information we require. For further information on consent processing, please refer to our booklet Information about the building consent process.

Yes, you can. When the submission is created, our Building Support Services Team will ensure the owner is set up as a ‘collaborator’. This means that you’ll receive an email from NPDC advising that you’re able to log in to access the application. If you don’t already have an account, the email will provide a link to the login page so that you can create an account. Once your account is set up, you’re able to log in and view the progress of the application, edit any details and manage the application. You’ll receive email notifications as the application progresses, and will receive notification once it is granted, providing you with the option to pay online.

Yes.  If you create a template, then each time you fill out a new submission, you can save certain information such as your name and/or company details in the blank template. To do this:

• select the ‘Templates’ option located on the left hand panel of the screen
• type in the name that you wish to identify the form as
• complete the details in any of the sections that you wish to repeat in each application
• click ‘Save and Close’
• the next time you wish to create an application using this form, click into ‘Templates’, select the form you wish to complete, then click the button ‘Create from Template’.

If you’re logged into the building consent portal, there is a help function icon in the top right-hand corner of your screen which contains helpful information. You can also contact the Building Support Services Team, Mon – Fri, 8am-5pm on 06 759 6060 or email enquiries@npdc.govt.nz.

Please allow up to 2 working days to receive your confirmation. If you haven’t received an email after this time, please check your spam folder or contact us on 06 759 6060, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm, or email enquiries@npdc.govt.nz.

We recommend you use Google Chrome.

The system has been tested for security robustness by regular penetration tests according to industry-recognised standards.

You should aim to have at least six characters with at least one capital letter, one number, and one special character (e.g., @#$!).

If the application is in a draft state and not yet submitted, you’ll have the option to delete it yourself. You’ll find a button in the submission that says, “delete draft”.

If you’ve submitted the application: Please contact the Building Support Services Team to cancel your application. Note: This must be in writing or by email to enquiries@npdc.govt.nz , and cannot be withdrawn via a phone call. You may have some fees to pay if the application has progressed through any stages of the consent process.

At the login page of the portal, you’ll have the option to sign up if you don’t already have an account.

When you’re completing the sign up details, you’ll have an ‘Organisation’ option to fill out. Select ‘Company’ and then complete the company details.

If you’re part of a national chain and have separate offices in different regions, we recommend that you register the account in the name of your local branch which identifies the area you cover (e.g., BuildMe – Taranaki).

The person who registered the company account becomes the Account Administrator, and is able to update company details and add other company users (see below: How do I add other company users to an account?).

You need to be the Account Administrator, to be able to add other company users to the account.

• Select Account Settings (drop down option, top right of screen).
• Select the ‘Users’ tab, and click the ‘Add User’ button.
• Complete the details and determine if the new user is going to be an Account Administrator (most company users won’t be).
• All company users can create, amend and collaborate on any type of application made by the company.
• To view your company users, they’ll be listed in the Users tab, under Account Settings.

As a company acting as an agent for a client, how do we invite people outside of the company to view and/or edit applications?

The collaboration option allows multiple people to work on a submission together.

• Under the ‘My Submissions’ tab, select the submission you wish to add a client to.
• Go to the ‘Summary Details’ tab and locate the ‘Collaborators’ section.
• Click the ‘Invite Collaborator’ button, and complete the details, deciding on what permissions to set for them, as well as whether you would like them to receive notifications or not.
• Click invite to send the collaboration invite.
• The collaborator will then receive an email with a link to access the submission.
• The collaborator must have a portal account before being able to access the submission link. Once they’ve logged in they need to click ‘Accept Invite’.
• Summary details of the collaborators can be found in the ‘Summary Details’ tab, and can be edited or removed from here.

As a company, how can we manage the automated updates and notifications for a client or ourselves?

Clients and agents/companies are automatically added as collaborators on a submission, to ensure everyone involved in the project is kept informed. This occurs when a submission is saved or submitted with client and agent details. The person making the submission will also be automatically added as a collaborator if they’re not the client or agent.

Switching notifications off

• Under the ‘My Submissions’ tab, select the submission that you wish to edit the notifications for
• Click on the cog icon to change the permission settings and switch the notifications on or off
• Click the ‘Save’ button.

No. However you can turn off notifications so that you stop receiving them. To do this, follow the instructions above under ‘As a company, how can we manage the automated updates and notifications that a client receives?’

The standard fees and charges are applied regardless of whether you apply online or in person. The cost of the consent depends on the type of application, the cost of the work involved, and the level of detail required.

View our fees and charges

When you receive email confirmation that your consent has been granted, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to pay. The invoice will be available online if you log into your customer portal. Payment options include online, internet or phone banking, or in person at the NPDC Civic Centre or service centres.

Yes. However, to improve the efficiency of your application being processed you should complete your application online if you have access to a computer.

No. if the original application was received in paper, it will not be entered into the portal. Therefore the amendment will also have to be submitted in paper format or emailed to be able to process it.

All files and supporting documentation are required in pdf format. The files must be clear and legible. We can accept files of up to 300MB in size. We will accept the following:

Plans: A3 size

Supporting Documentation: A4 size

Photos: jpeg format for photos of completed building work, not photographed documents please

If an unaccepted format is uploaded, you’ll be notified by email and will be requested to re-submit a suitable format. We encourage bookmarking and hyperlinks to make documents easy to find and navigate.

Documents that have been approved by NPDC will be available in the portal for you to download. You will still be required to have approved documents on site during inspection.

Yes, you can, during the submission and consent stage only. The documents tab will have a button at the top enabling you to request the upload of additional information. When making a request, you will be asked to provide a reason for the request and a notification will be sent to council which they can either accept or decline.

Once your consent is granted you’ll need to submit any new information by submitting an amendment application.