Apply for a building consent online

Why should I apply online for a Building Consent?

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, means we can action your application more efficiently, and allow multiple staff to work on different aspects of a consent at the same time.

How long will my application take to process online?

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.

If my builder/another party has applied for the consent on my behalf, can I still access the consent application to view the progress?

Yes, you can. When the submission is created, our Regulatory 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.

Is there an option to save a form that I regularly use, so that I don’t have to enter my details each time?

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’

How much will the application cost?

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.

How do I pay for the consent?

Once your application is accepted for processing, you’ll receive 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 one of our service centres.

Can I still make a paper application at the NPDC Civic Centre or a Service Centre?

Yes, but please note that there is an additional charge for paper applications (please refer to the fees and charges).  If you have access to a computer and to improve efficiency of your application being processed, we suggest completing your your application online.

If I lodge a paper application, and I later need to do an amendment, will I be able to do the amendment online?

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.

What types of files can I upload, and are there are file size requirements for my consent application? 

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.

How do I get approved documents from the Council?

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.

Can I upload additional documents?

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. 

How do I cancel or withdraw an application?

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 Regulatory 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.

How do I set up an account as an organisation?

• 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 (eg: 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?)

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.

If you wish to edit or switch off the notifications for yourself or the client:

• 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

Can you remove yourself as an initiator if you applied on behalf of a client, and a consent has been approved?

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?’

How can you be sure of the integrity of the system?
The system has been tested for security robustness by regular penetration tests according to industry-recognised standards.

What do I need to do to make my password stronger?
You should aim to have at least six characters with at least one capital letter, one number, and one special character (eg: @#$!)

Where can I get assistance with an online application?

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 Regulatory Support Services Team, Mon – Fri, 8am-5pm on 06 759 6060 or email enquiries@npdc.govt.nz

Why didn’t I receive an email confirmation that my account has been set up?

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.

Which browser should I use to access my Building Consent Application account?

We recommend you use Google Chrome.