Self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying

Self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying

From 7 September 2026, eligible plumbing and drainlaying can be certified by an endorsed plumber or drainlayer instead of being inspected by the Council. This is called self-certification, and using it is your choice.

What self-certification means
If you choose self-certification, an endorsed plumber or drainlayer certifies that the eligible plumbing or drainlaying complies with your building consent and gives the Council a certificate of compliance. The Council does not inspect that work — the endorsed practitioner takes full responsibility for it. We still process your building consent, check the plans against the Building Code, and issue your code compliance certificate (CCC) as usual.

What can be self-certified
Self-certification is only for certain plumbing and drainlaying. In general, the work can be self-certified if:

• the building is three storeys or fewer and has no apartments;
• the work is sanitary plumbing or drainlaying that needs a building consent;
• it is designed to an Acceptable Solution or Verification Method (or is a qualifying on-site system, such as an on-site wastewater system, where none applies); and
• it is not excluded work — for example, plumbing that passes through a fire separation, plumbing in a common wall, or alternative solutions (other than on qualifying on-site systems).

If you are not sure whether your work qualifies, talk to us before you apply.

How to use self-certification

1. Tell us in your building consent application (Form 2) which plumbing and/or drainlaying you want to self-certify and show it clearly on your plans and specifications.
2. Use a plumber or drainlayer who holds a current self-certification endorsement. You can check this on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) public register: https://www2.pgdb.co.nz/public-register
3. Tell us who your endorsed plumber or drainlayer is before that work starts and let us know if it changes.
4. When the work is finished, your endorsed practitioner gives you, the Council and the PGDB a certificate of compliance. Include this certificate with your CCC application — we can't issue the CCC without it.

Your responsibilities
Self-certification does not change your responsibilities as the building owner. You must still obtain a building consent (and any amendments or minor variations), ensure the work complies with the Building Code, and apply for a code compliance certificate.

More information
See MBIE's guidance for homeowners at https://www.building.govt.nz/projects-and-consents/self-certification-schemes/plumbers-and-drainlayers-scheme/homeowners-and-consumers. For questions, contact the Building team on 03 769 8600 or building@greydc.govt.nz