Building Control frequently asked questions

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about building control.

What advice do we provide?

We can help you understand the various documents that relate to your building project:

The Building Act
The Building Code
Approved Documents
Building Regulations

What is a PIM?

A Project Information Memorandum is a report prepared by a territorial authority (in your case, us). You can apply for the PIM when you submit your building consent application, although it is useful to request it in the planning stages so you can anticipate any potential issues.

The requirement to obtain a PIM becomes voluntary from 1 February 2010 and consent applicants will be required to nominate if they require a PIM, or not, on the application form.

Project Information Memorandum Building Amendment Act 2009 (PDF, 14.6kb, new window)

More information about PIMs can be found at the Department of Building and Housing website (new window).

Does a fence need a building consent?

Only fences that are over two metres in height will need building consent.

Do heating appliances need building consent?

If you are installing or replacing any new heating appliances, you will need a building consent. Types of heating appliances include:

Open fires
Woodburners
Multi-fuel, pellet or coal burning heaters
Coal ranges and cooking stoves

You do not need a building consent for installation of a gas or electric heaters or heat pumps. When installing a heat pump, be aware of the guidelines for neighbourly installation.

Newly installed heating appliances must meet the Standards for Emission Rates and Thermal Efficiency. More information can be found at the Otago Regional Council website (opens in a new window), keywords 'Heating' or 'Approved Burners'.

Top of this page

Do you need building consent for plumbing and drainage work?

Check with us to see if you need a building consent for your plumbing and drainage work.

How do you get an earthworks permit?

You may need an earthworks permit if you are changing the ground surface level by more than 600mm or moving more than ten cubic metres of soil. This excludes normal agricultural activity.

Send us your application for a permit. If it is correct and all information supplied, it will be processed in five working days. There is NO charge when applying for an earthworks permit.

Application forms are available from:

Visit: Building Enquiries Desk, 1st Floor, Civic Centre
Online: Earthworks permit (PDF, 50 kb, new window). Use this form if you plan to remove, alter or deposit bulk excavation.

How do you withdraw your application for building consent?

You may withdraw or cancel your application for building consent. You may be eligible for a partial refund of fees paid. This needs to be put in writing to:

Post: Team Leader Building Consents, Building Control, PO Box 5045, Dunedin 9058

Top of this page

Can you request a time extension for building consent?

Building consents last for two years. However, if work does not begin within six months of the granting date or if the two-year period expires, your consent will lapse. You can request a time extension at any time if you decide you need more time to complete the work.

We will notify you one month before your consent lapses.

All requests for a time extension need to be put in writing to:

Post: Team Leader Inspections, Building Control, PO Box 5045, Dunedin 9058
Email: Building Control

How do you check your building consent application status?

We have 20 working days to process your application for building consent. If this time has lapsed contact us to find out where it's up to.

How do you get information about a property?

A property search will give you building, plumbing and drainage plans that we hold regarding a specific address. It is not, however, a comprehensive review of all information we hold on a property. We may not have plans for all properties.

There is a fee charged for a search. There are several searches available:

Residential - combined building, plumbing and drainage consents.
Electronic list showing: building consents and code compliance certificates issued
Plumbing and drainage information
Building construction details, site plans, floor plans, alterations and additions
Copy of consent documents required for inspections

If you need more information than these searches provide, you should apply for a LIM.

Application forms are available from:

Visit: Building Enquiries Desk, 1st Floor, Civic Centre
Online: Property search (PDF, 52 kb, new window). Use this form to request information that we hold on a property. There is a fee for a property search.

Top of this page

Where can you get a copy of the Building Act / Code?

The Building Act 2004 controls the building of houses and other buildings in New Zealand. It applies to the construction of new buildings as well as the alteration and demolition of existing buildings.

The Building Code states how a building and its components must perform, rather than how it should be designed and constructed.

Copies are available: