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    Apply for a building consent

    Your application

    Use the building consent application form (Form 2) to apply for a building consent or a PIM.  If you are a registered customer, you can apply online from 1 October 2020. Click here for more information.

    You must apply for a building consent on the prescribed application form (Form 2). You need to fill in your application form electronically or your hard copy will be changed to an electronic form and entered into the system at your expense. We will only accept fully completed and correct applications. This means:

    • Every section must be completed in full with details of the compliance path.
    • We will not accept drawings or specifications with crossed out sections, photocopies of old plans relating to other consents or drawings that are not to the correct scale and font.
    • All relevant information must be included with your application.  Relevant information includes project-specific specifications, fire reports, engineering reports and calculations, bracing calculations, energy efficiency calculations, etc.
    • Incomplete or poor-quality applications will be refused and returned to the applicant.

    We recommend that you contact a competent design professional to help you to compile your application. Their experience means your application is likely to be accepted and will be more efficiently processed. In most cases, your design professional or building professional will act as your agent and will be able to make a satisfactory application on your behalf.

    Information you should include

    Your application must have the relevant attached - plans, project-specific specifications, and supporting technical information, including the following:

    • The building consent application form: The building consent application form is designed in accordance with the requirements of the Building Act 2004 and the Building (Infringement Offences, Fees, and Forms) Regulations 2007. The Building Act requires that all sections of this form be completed in full.
    • Lodgement checklist: The lodgement checklist covers topics that you may need to consider for us to successfully process your application. You need to complete this checklist and submit it with your application.

    One complete set of drawings, reports, specifications and plans

    • Site plan drawn to a suitable scale; 1:100 is preferred although 1:200 may suffice for rural areas. It should include a datum point, contours, finished floor level, siting dimensions, location of all existing and proposed buildings and services. Photos may also be provided.
    • A floor plan is required for each level of the building; the use of the room and overall floor areas must be denoted. For applications involving additions, the floor area of existing and new areas shall be shown.
    • Elevations: A minimum of four elevations is required, one for each aspect of the building.
    • E2 Risk matrix: The E2/AS1 risk matrix is used to identify any weathertightness features and risks. An E2 risk matrix must accompany all residential applications.
    • A minimum of one cross-section and one long-section is recommended.
    • Construction details to illustrate and describe visual, structural and weatherproof design. They should be drawn at a scale sufficient to clearly show the details.
    • Roof framing plans (truss manufacturer’s layout) to identify the method of construction (pitched or trussed), and framing / truss members and any associated roof bracing.
    • Foundation plan, with dimensions and components of construction identified.
    • A sub-floor plan to identify the position, treatment level and size of piles, spacing, size and treatment level of bearers and floor joists, insulation, and finished floor-to-ground levels for each corner of the building.
    • Floor framing plan: Where not otherwise clearly shown a floor framing or joist layout plan for each additional floor level.
    • A plumbing and drainage layout (schematic) is required for all applications. It should identify fixtures, waste and vent pipe sizes, fixings, materials, and the standard used (e.g. NZS/AS 3500).
    • Wall or subfloor bracing calculations: Where the works require bracing, calculations for bracing shall be provided.
    • Energy services plan: This includes electrical, gas, mechanical ventilation, etc. Where not otherwise clearly shown an energy services plan shall be provided showing the location of fixtures such as hot water supply, heat pumps, meter boards, smoke detectors.
    • An accessibility plan shall be provided for all commercial applications denoting the location of all accessible features and signage.
    • Emergency services plan: Plans showing escape routes for premises intended for public use (for fire-fighting purposes) are required. The fire designer must declare whether the application must be forwarded to Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) for their review. If your application needs to go to FENZ, Council will action this on your behalf.

    • Producer statements for design: These are statements from suitably qualified and experienced designers or building professionals involved in specific design. Calculations and drawings (where applicable) must accompany producer statements. Architectural drawings must be signed by the engineer verifying specific design details.
    • Project-specific design calculations: Design calculations must accompany the documentation (where applicable). Calculations should include a title, designer’s name, and owner’s name and project address.
    • Design reports must accompany the application to support the design. Design reports could include fire, air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation, geotechnical, etc.
    • Means of compliance: This section of the application form is the most difficult to complete but it is important and must be completed. It provides information to Council about how compliance with the Building Code has been established. Compliance may be established in several ways; by using the acceptable solutions, alternative solutions, producer statements, product certification, energy works certificates or determinations. Waivers and modification of the Building Code may also be requested and should be noted here.
    • Specified systems are features, which are designed to save lives such as emergency warning systems; fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke detectors, etc. Specified systems are not usually installed in residential situations unless the property has a cable car. If your dwelling has  a cable car you will required a compliance schedule. Specified systems are unique to a building and complex in nature. If the application involves specified system(s), the compliance schedule section of the application form must be completed listing all specified systems that are being added, altered or removed. A schedule listing the inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures for each of the systems must be included with the application. Read more about specified systems.
    • A list of all professionals involved in the project must be provided at the time of lodgement. If the applicant does not know who trades-people will be, this information can be provided at a later stage.
    • Fire engineering brief (FEB): MBIE guidance suggests that a FEB is a useful mechanism where fire designs rely on the verification method or are specific design solutions.  The FEB is a documented process that defines the scope of work for a fire engineering analysis and the basis of the analysis. The purpose of this process is to identify and discuss at a high-level, the fire-safety design parameters and to communicate the outline at an early stage with all relevant stakeholders. Verification of the detail or design is NOT expected or required at this stage. Fire engineers should refer to the International Fire Engineering Guidelines or other recognised standards for further information regarding the content of an FEB please refer to MBIE's website.

    Step by step process for applying

    When you apply for a building consent it is essential that you follow the process carefully.

    Check that you have:

    • Complete the application form and the lodgement checklist accurately and in full. Guides to the application forms are provided.
    • Date and digitally insert your signature (or sign and scan the document) as required.

    These groups are:

    • Application
    • Lodgement Checklist
    • Proof of Ownership
    • Statutory Forms  (if work involves Restricted Building Work)
    • Plans
    • Specifications
    • Report

    • A standard approach to naming documents saves us time when vetting and processing your application.
    • Please do not include blank pages.
    • Only include specifications that are specific to your project, with a minimum scan quality of 300dpi. Your file should be named to show what type of information it contains.

    • One email per application emailed to bsg@fndc.govt.nz with the subject heading <<property address>> BC Application.If the total file size is greater than 20MB either share by emailing a fileshare link (e.g. Dropbox created by customer) or email bsg@fndc.govt.nz to request that we set up a fileshare option for you.
    • Talk to us before submitting your application in a free vetting meeting. We will make sure the right people are around the table to help you.
    • Make sure you supply all the correct information and all forms are completed correctly (including signatures!)

    We will send you an email acknowledging receipt of your application. This email will be followed by a second email that either accepts or refuses the application. This second email will be within 48 hours of receiving your initial application.

    If the application is deficient we will refuse the application but will provide you with the reasons for the refusal so you can re-apply successfully at a later date.

    How much does it cost?

    The cost of your building consent application will depend on the building work you want to do. Check out our Fees and Charges to get an idea of how much you may need to pay. The fees are itemised on the invoice and include levies to BRANZ and MBIE, processing costs, inspection fees, etc.

    When your building consent is granted, we will send you notification, together with an invoice. All fees must be paid before the building consent is issued. The building consent must be uplifted within one month of approval, and failure to uplift your consent within this time frame may result in it being refused.

    Last updated: 10 Apr 2024 3:13pm