Certificate of Compliance (Liquor)

What is a Certificate of Compliance?

A Certificate of Compliance (Alcohol Licensing) is a certificate issued by Far North District Council (FNDC) confirming that the proposed use of premises for alcohol licensing purposes meets the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and the Building Code.

A Certificate of Compliance is required as part of an application for a new alcohol licence or a variation to an existing alcohol licence, in accordance with section 100(f) of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The Certificate of Compliance must be provided to the District Licensing Committee as part of the alcohol licence application before the licence can be issued.

Do I need a Certificate of Compliance?

You will generally need a Certificate of Compliance if you are:

• applying for a new alcohol licence for premises;
• applying for a new alcohol licence because you have taken over an existing licensed business;
• proposing to use premises that have not previously been licensed for alcohol;
• changing the type of alcohol licence for which the premises are licensed;
• changing the licensed area of the premises;
• changing the licensed trading hours or another condition of an existing licence; or
• making changes to the premises or activity that require the existing alcohol licence to be varied.

How do I apply?

Step 1 – Complete the application form

Download and complete the application form.

Certificate of Compliance – Alcohol Licensing application form

Step 2 – Prepare your supporting information

Make sure you provide the plans and other information needed to clearly show the proposed use of the premises.

At a minimum, you should provide a site plan, floor plan and a plan identifying the proposed licensed area.

Step 3 – Submit your application

Email your completed application and supporting information to: planning.support@fndc.govt.nz

Step 4 – Pay the required fee

A deposit is required when you apply. The application will be charged in accordance with FNDC's current Fees and Charges Schedule, including actual processing time where applicable.

What happens after I apply?

Once your application is received, Council will assess the proposed use against the relevant Resource Management Act and Building Code requirements.

A Resource Planner and Building Officer may review the application and supporting information. If further information is required, Council will contact you.

If the proposed use meets the relevant requirements, Council can issue the Certificate of Compliance for use with your alcohol licence application.

If the proposed use does not comply with the relevant requirements, you may need to make changes to the proposal or obtain another approval, such as a resource consent or building approval, before the Certificate of Compliance can be issued.

Important

A Certificate of Compliance is not the same as an alcohol licence.

The Certificate of Compliance is one part of the alcohol licensing process. You must separately apply for the appropriate alcohol licence through the relevant licensing process.

You should apply for your Certificate of Compliance as early as possible, as an alcohol licence cannot be issued without the required territorial authority certificate.

Not sure if you need one?

If you are unsure whether your proposed changes require a Certificate of Compliance, we recommend contacting us before you apply.

• For questions about the Certificate of Compliance application process: planning.support@fndc.govt.nz
• For questions about whether your proposed activity complies with the Resource Management Act or whether resource consent may be required: duty.planner@fndc.govt.nz
• For questions about Building Act or Building Code requirements: buildingcompliance@fndc.govt.nz

We can help you identify the relevant process and information you may need to provide. However, you should allow sufficient time for any required resource consent, building approval or other process that may be separate from your Certificate of Compliance.