Application process

Checking for completeness

When we receive your application, we’ll check it for completeness to make sure you have provided enough information to allow processing to start.

This should take no more than two working days depending on the size and complexity of your application. If information is missing, we may ask you to supply it before your application is accepted for processing or to resubmit your application.

When we have a complete application from you, we’ll advise you in writing that your application has been formally received for processing and the statutory timeframe will start on the next working day.

Processing your application

We must decide whether to grant your application within 20 working days (subject to any further information requests) from receiving your complete application.

We engage expert technical consultants to assess your application to make sure the completed dam, when constructed, will comply with the building code. Because the building code is not specific regarding dam design, all dam applications will be assessed using the New Zealand Society of Large Dams (NZSOLD) Dam Safety Guidelines as an alternative solution.

If necessary, we will forward your application to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) on your behalf. Applications of this type were notified in New Zealand Gazette No. 49.

Request for further information (RFI)

We may need additional or amended information during the processing stage, to confirm compliance with the building code.

An RFI is a formal request for information that we consider to be essential for the processing of your application.

Until we receive the requested information all processing work will cease and the statutory time timeframe will be stopped from the day after we issue the RFI.

The statutory time timeframe will remain stopped until we receive a response from you or your agent that is complete and enables us to make decisions concerning your application.

We will restart the statutory timeframe on the day after we receive the information requested in the RFI.

Granting, or refusing to grant, your application

We will grant your application if we are satisfied on reasonable grounds that the provisions of the building code will be met if your building work is completed per the plans and specifications that accompany your building consent application, including any additional information provided during the application process.

We will refuse to grant your application if we are not satisfied on reasonable grounds that you will meet the provisions of the building code.

We will call you to inform you of our decision, which is when the statutory timeframe stops.

If your application is granted, you will be informed of the payable levies, and you can start building work. You have two years to complete your building work.

If we decide to refuse your application, we will inform you in writing.

Issuing consent documents

If we decide to grant your application, we’ll prepare and issue your building consent. When you receive this, read it carefully as there will be conditions that you need to meet.

The following will be included with your building consent:

• consent conditions
• advice notes
• approved plans and specifications
• compliance schedule (if required)
• Project Information Memorandum (if required).

Certificates or notifications may also be attached if required under the Building Act 2004:

• certificate attached to project information memorandum (section 37)
• certificate concerning building over two or more lots (section 75(2))
• notification regarding natural hazards (section 73)
• notification regarding heritage buildings (section 39).

Conditions and advice notes

Conditions are requirements imposed on your building consent to ensure compliance with the Building Act 2004 and the building code.

You must comply with the conditions, which may relate to :

• building inspections, which means that we will stipulate certain building inspections that must be undertaken at various stages of the building process. Typically these building inspections are required to be conducted by a certified professional engineer with appropriate experience.
• building on two or more allotments/titles, which means that we will put a condition on the building consent that stops particular sections of land being sold or leased separately
• limited life of the building work, which means that we will put a condition on the building consent that requires you to alter, remove or demolish the building work before the end of its specified intended life if it is less than 50 years
• natural hazards, which means that we will notify the relevant people about any natural hazards affecting the building site when we issue the building consent
• waivers and modifications, which means modifications or waivers to the building code issued by the territorial authority. 

Advice notes are legally part of the consent and are included to remind you of other requirements related to the consent.