Code compliance certificate

Documentation required with the application

To help us process your application faster please make sure all the required documentation is provided with the application (or prior to making the application). If anything is missing, you will receive a request for further information.

Check the conditions of your consent for other supporting documentation that may be required (requirements can be found on the Record of required site inspections issued with the building consent).

If applicable provide the following:

• Records of building work (RoW)
• Energy work certificates
• Specified system forms and evidence that specified systems are capable of performing to the performance standards set out in the building consent
• Any additional documentation requested during inspections (e.g as-built plans).

Make sure you complete the RoW correctly. Incorrect or incomplete forms will not be accepted, and you will need to re-submit.

Tip - Use our online service to submit supporting documentation during the inspection phase.

More information is available in the Building Consent Information sheet.

Issuing or refusing a code compliance certificate

The application is checked for completeness and once accepted we have 20 working days to process it.

During this time, if we ask for more information the 'clock' is stopped and restarted once all the information requested is received and sufficient for us to make a decision.

Once processing is completed and we are satisfied on reasonable grounds that the building work complies with the building consent we send the invoice for any outstanding fees and charges, including any Development Contributions (new window). Once full payment is received the CCC is issued.

Information about paying DCC accounts can be found here (new window). Inspection refund information can be found here.

We may refuse to issue a CCC if:

• the work is not completed or does not comply with your building consent
• you fail to supply the required documentation
• a final inspection has not been completed.

If this is our decision, we will provide you written notice of the refusal and the reasons for the refusal.

If an application for a CCC has not been made within two years of the date that the building consent was granted (or any further period agreed), we have to decide whether to issue or refuse a CCC.

We monitor consents without a CCC and send reminder letters to the owner. If there is no response and no extension request, the DCC will refuse the CCC. Owners may reapply later, but durability will be considered, and additional administration or inspection fees may apply. Additional administration and inspections charges may be incurred.

• Managing older building consents without a code compliance certificate

  Background -

  A code compliance certificate (CCC) is a formal statement issued by Council certifying that:

  • for building consents under the Building Act 2004 (post 31 March 2005) - building work carried out complies with the approved building consent.
  • for building consents under the Building Act 1991 (pre 31 March 2005) - building work carried out complies with the applicable Building Code that applied at the time the building consent was granted.

  In any case, before Council can issue the CCC we must be "satisfied on reasonable grounds" that the building work complies with the Building Code and/or the building consent. If Council cannot be satisfied, we will refuse the CCC and set out the reason(s) as required under Building Act Section 95 (external link, new window). In some instances, if the non-compliance is major, Council is also required to issue a notice to fix (new page).

  Regardless of the reason why the owner could not obtain the CCC earlier, the critical consideration in the current circumstance is that the work must comply with the requirements of the applicable Building Code (Building Act 1991) or the approved consent (Building Act 2004) at the time when the CCC is issued; not at the time when Council last inspected the building.

  Definition of an old building consent

  A building consent issued under the Building Act 1991 or Building Act 2004 that has no CCC issued for the work and is more than 5 years old from the date it was issued.

  Specific issue of old building consent

  Older building consents pose a potential risk to Council once a CCC has been issued. When assessing older building consents for CCC, Building Code requirement clause B2 (durability) is particularly relevant and critical as the durability provisions may need to be modified by way of an amendment to the building consent.

  Clause B2: durability

  Clause B2.3.1 of the Building Code requires that the building element (as installed) complies not only on the day of issuing the CCC but also will continue to comply for at least 5, 15 or 50 years, depending on that components function in the structure.  In most cases, the expected durability of the building element starts from the day they are installed.  If the work is already more than 5 years old, Council is no longer able to be satisfied the building element will comply with clause B2.3.1.  The building element may have already exceeded or partially exceeded its expected durability and the manufacturer's warranty for the product.

  This means an owner who wishes to apply for a CCC for an old building consent are required to apply for an amendment to the building consent to modify clause B2.3.1 of the Building Code and specify the practical completion date.

  Assessment Process

  Council will undertake an initial assessment of the building consent records and determine how to proceed before issuing a CCC for an older building consent. The assessment process could be initiated by the owner requesting a final inspection or applying for a CCC.

  Fees

  A review fee is charged. Site inspections, administrative tasks associated with the assessment and the CCC will incur additional fees. Fees are based on the Councils current rates and payment is required on receipt of the invoice.

  If a deposit was paid at the time the building consent was applied for, a refund may be applicable. However, factors such as; how much deposit was paid, and how much work has been expended in monitoring, inspecting and assessing the consent records, will be taken into consideration.

  The initial assessment includes (not limited to):

  • The age of the building/building work
  • The complexity of the design
  • The type of cladding material used and method of installation (cavity or no cavity)
  • The status of inspections already carried out and if any inspection types were not called for
  • Any outstanding issues such as outstanding documentation and fees.

  The initial assessment is necessary for Council to:

  • Review all information of the building consent records
  • Identify any potential issue that could affect the issuing of the CCC
  • Establish the risk profile regarding the building/building project
  • Review of outstanding fees
  • Confirm whether an inspection can proceed; and the time and date of the inspection with the owner/owner's agent.

  Inspection

  The owner will be notified of the need for an inspection (note inspection fees may be incurred as above). Inspections will be scheduled where a time slot is available.

  A copy of the approved plans must be onsite before the inspection can take place. If you don’t have the approved plans a copy can be requested from Council.  More information about property search requests can be found on the general information page.

  Next steps

  Following the inspection, we will assess whether the work complies.  Depending on; the scope, nature and complexity of the project, weathertightness, and requirements for an amendment to the durability, an additional investigation/report by a suitably qualified person (i.e. Registered Building Surveyor, Registered Architect, and Chartered Professional Engineer) may also be required.

  Note that previous inspections that have been passed may be revisited during the inspection, with a possibility that destructive testing may be required (such as removing wall linings or excavating foundations).

  In some cases, remedial works will be required to meet the code.  Remedial works could be identified as part of the inspection.  Depending on the circumstances, the following could be required:

  • Remedial work is instructed to be completed and inspected by the Inspector with updated/as-built plan to record the remedial works
  • An amendment to the existing building consent is to be applied for the remedial works and Council approval is required before work commences
  • A separate building consent is required for the remedial works and Council approval is required before work commences
  • A notice to fix could be issued to make sure any remediable work is undertaken.
  A CCC can be applied for once any outstanding requirements have been addressed.

  In any case, all remedial works must be inspected and certified by Council before approval of the CCC.

  Decision

  Before a decision is made to issue (or refuse to issue) the CCC all outstanding fees must be paid.

  Issue CCC - The CCC will be issued once Council is satisfied; that the work complies with the requirements of the applicable Building Code (Building Act 1991), or the approved consent (Building Act 2004).

  Unable to issue (Refuse) CCC - The decisive factor is that Council must be satisfied on reasonable grounds the Building Code or the building consent is complied with at the time of issuing the CCC. If Council, after carrying out the assessment inspection is not satisfied on reasonable grounds, then a CCC will not be issued. The reason for refusing the CCC will be given in writing to the owner. The status of the building consent will have a status CCC Refused.

  Consents with a status Archived also mean we could not be satisfied on reasonable grounds a CCC could be issued. The status Archived was carried over from a previous Council operating system.

  A CCC can still be applied for once any outstanding requirements have been addressed.