Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaw

Check if you’re working near a managed scheme

• Use our online map or download the Bylaw schedules and maps (PDFs) to confirm if your property falls within a managed flood protection or drainage scheme.
• If your site is not within a scheme we manage, contact your local council (territorial authority) for guidance.

Understand what assets are protected

Flood protection and drainage assets protected by the Bylaw include, but are not limited to:

• drains and small watercourses
• floodways and defences against water (including stopbanks, floodgates and culverts, rock protection, anchored tree protection, flood protection vegetation),
• hydrological devices and equipment, and survey benchmarks.

Damage or unauthorised work on or near flood protection and drainage infrastructure may be subject to penalties under Section 242 of the Local Government Act 2002.

Activities that require written authority

If you want to do any of the following activities near flood protection and drainage assets, they are affected by the Bylaw:

• earthworks in, on or near flood protection and drainage scheme assets
• altering any flood protection or drainage assets
• placing any material or structure in, on or near managed assets
• connecting any pipes, channels or other flow conduits
• planting or removing existing vegetation
• grazing stock on or within assets.

These activities, along with others, require prior written authority. See the Bylaw for full details (PDF file, 760.88KB) on all activities for which authority requirements apply.

Other rules may affect the type of activity you can undertake in a watercourse. Some activities require resource consent.

If your project isn’t taking place on a watercourse managed by us, you may need to check with the appropriate territorial authority (local council).

Submit your application

There is no cost for getting Bylaw authority, and we can provide helpful information ahead of your application, so we encourage you to get in touch.

The best way to set up a time to chat is to email floodbylaw@ecan.govt.nz. We aim to respond within two working days of your enquiry.

Submit your application: Use our online authority application form

If your activity includes planting, please also complete the Planting Guide Template (PDF, 1.39 MB)

Note: If you already have a resource consent, this may act as your authority—check with our team to confirm.