Do I need a Building Consent?
When is a building consent required?
All building work done in New Zealand must comply with the Building Code, and a building consent is often needed. However, Schedule 1 of the Building Act exempts low-risk work from requiring a building consent. If the work you intend on undertaking does not meet the requirements of one of the exemptions, then it will require a building consent.
Building performance (MBIE) has a tool that lets you know whether your next project requires a building consent, or could be classed as exempt building work. Here is a link to the Can I Build it Tool.
You can also view the full list of building work that does not require a building consent in this MBIE guidance document: Building Consent Not Required
It is the responsibility of the Building Owner to determine whether or not the intended building work is exempt from requiring a building consent and to make sure that exempt building work undertaken complies with the NZ Building Code. Even if the proposed building work is exempt, you can still choose to apply for a Building Consent.
If your project requires a building consent, it MUST be obtained before any of the building work commences onsite, so please make sure that you start the application process well before construction is due to start.
If you are unsure whether you will need a building consent or not, please contact the Building Department at Council by calling 03 769 8600 or email building@greydc.govt.nz.
For information and guidance on Tiny Homes, please click here.
Discretionary Exemption
Some building work may seem minor but doesn’t ‘fit’ one of the Schedule 1 Exemptions. In this case you can apply for a Discretionary Exemption (Schedule 1(2)). This can be done through our building consents portal Objective Build or by completing the Application for Exemption from Building Consent Form and submitting to building@greydc.govt.nz accompanied by the design documentation.
Notification of Exempt Building Work
You may wish to formalise exempt building work and have it recorded on the relevant property file. This may assist in any future sale and purchase of the building/property. If you choose this course of action, Council has an application titled 'Notification of Exempt Building Work' that can be completed and submitted in the same manner as the Exemption Application above.
