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.

You need to include (if not already submitted):

• documents provided by your Licensed Building Practitioners or registered professionals e.g. records of work (memorandum), energy work certificates

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).

Supporting documentation could include:

• completed 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 (such as as-built plans).

Tip - Use our online service to submit supporting documentation before applying for a CCC (you don't need to be a registered user to submit supporting information online).

More information is available in the Building Consent Information sheet.

Issuing or refusing a code compliance certificate

Once the application has been received we assess the required documentation for completeness. Once accepted the clock starts and the statutory time frame of 20-working days for processing your application begins. (Note the period between 20 December and 10 January every year is classified as "non-working days" under the Building Act 2004).

During processing the clock stops if we have to ask for more information. The clock starts again on receipt of all the required information. The CCC will be issued (to the person nominated on the application form) once we are satisfied on reasonable grounds that the building work complies with the building consent.

Any outstanding fees must be paid in full, including any Development Contributions (new window), before a CCC is issued. Information about paying DCC accounts can be found here (new window). Inspection refund information can be found here.

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 must make a decision whether to issue or refuse to issue the CCC.

We monitor consents that do not have a CCC and letters are sent to owners reminding them of their obligations under the Building Act. If there is no response to the letters and an extension of time to complete the building work has not been applied for, DCC will refuse to issue the CCC on the basis that we have not been able to establish compliance with the building consent. Note, we allow one 12-month extension to complete work.

Request an extension of time online: Extension of time request form

If your CCC is refused, this does not necessarily restrict you from applying for a CCC at a later date. However, we will take into account factors such as durability of the material used when assessing any future applications. Additional administration and inspections charges may be incurred. If the CCC application is in excess of two years old, an application to amend some of the B2 durability provisions of the building code may be required.

If you are dissatisfied with our decisions at any stage throughout the process you can lodge a complaint or apply for a determination (new windows).

Compliance schedule

If your building has any specified systems added, altered or removed, and we are satisfied that all specified systems are functional and fit for purpose, we will issue a compliance schedule with a compliance schedule statement with your CCC.

Visit Compliance schedule and building warrant of fitness for more information about compliance schedule requirements.

Older building consents without a code compliance certificate

The following information applies to building consents that do not have a code compliance certificate and are 5 years or older from the date the consent was issued.

• 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.