Do you need consent

If you are planning a project that involves demolishing, constructing, or altering a building, it is likely you will need some form of consent before you proceed.

1. What is a building consent?
2. Do you need building consent?
3. Building work that doesn't need a building consent
4. Granny flats (non-consented standalone dwellings) building consent exemption
5. Discretionary exemption from building consent

What is a building consent?

A building consent is a formal approval to undertake building work in accordance with approved plans and specifications. A building consent establishes that your proposed building work complies with the building code. If you need a building consent, you must get it before building work starts.

It is an offence to build without a consent if one is needed. It could result in fines and possibly the removal of the building work. It may also make it difficult for you to sell the building or get insurance.

Building consent is not required in certain cases as specified under section 41 of the Building Act 2004.

Do you need building consent?

Can I Build It (link to external website, new window) is a tool for homeowners who want to renovate or repair their home. The tool helps you find out if your building work needs a building consent, and what you need to do before starting physical work.

You will need building consent for most building work. Work that requires building consent includes:

• structural building - including additions, alterations, re-piling and some demolition
• plumbing and drainage work where an additional sanitary fixture is created (some repair and maintenance may be exempt)
• relocating a building
• installing, replacing or relocating a solid fuel heating appliance (new or second-hand)
• installing an air-conditioning system
• installing or altering a specified system (lifesaving feature)
• retaining walls higher than 1.5 metres (3.0 metres in rural area if designed by a chartered professional engineer)
• fences or walls higher than 2.5 metres, and all swimming pool and their associated fences
• sheds greater than 30 square metres in floor area. Sheds between 10 and 30 square metres will still need the help of an licensed building practitioner or engineer or must use lightweight material in accordance with Acceptable Solution (B1/AS1). Refer to our advice on backyard sheds page (new window).

Building work that doesn't need a building consent

You usually don't need building consent for low-risk projects. For a full list of building work that doesn't need building consent visit Building Performance - Exempt building work guidance (link to external website, new window). A copy of the exemptions is also available in the related information area.

Like all building work, exempt building work must comply with the building code and other relevant legislation, so it’s important to understand what you are doing before you do the work. Resource consent may also be required. If the building work is exempt you can still choose to apply for a building consent.

Check with a building professional and seek their advice before deciding whether building consent is required or contact Building Services by:

Email: building@dcc.govt.nz.

Online: Building Information Request

Phone: 03 477 4000

Granny flats (non-consented standalone dwellings) building consent exemption

This exemption lets you build a small standalone dwelling (commonly called a granny flat) without a building consent if you meet certain conditions. The exemption came into effect on 15 January 2026.

Exemption conditions

• It is new, standalone and a single storey
• Its floor area is 70 square metres or less, including internal garages
• It is built using lightweight steel or timber framing and lightweight roof cladding
• It does not include a level-entry shower that needs a waterproof membrane
• Licensed building professionals carry out or supervise the work
• It is 2 metres or more away from other buildings or boundaries
• It has connections to the public stormwater and wastewater network, or should have a compliant on-site water and drainage system
• The land is not affected by natural hazards
• The building design does not include waivers or modifications of the Building Code
• You meet all other exemption conditions.

For complete information about the exemption and requirements visit - Granny flats exemption guidance | Building Performance

What you must do

• Apply for and receive a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) before starting construction
• Get approval for connections to network utilities (water and electricity supply, stormwater and wastewater disposal)
• Get any other required approvals, such as for vehicle crossings
• Meet the rules and requirements of the Resource Management Act.  For more information, visit Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units) Regulations 2025

Apply for a PIM for a Granny Flat

Before submitting a PIM application check you have met all the exemption criteria - Building design conditions checklist

The homeowner or agent must complete the Form 2AA - Application for project information memorandum for non-consented small standalone dwelling

Submit the completed application to building@dcc.govt.nz

Please do not use our current project information memorandum (PIM) online form to apply for the granny flat exemption.

PIM Fee

Fees and charges apply - Building fees and charges

The PIM process may attract a development contribution to pay.

Completion

Use this checklist to make sure all the actions required by the granny flats exemption have been carried out - Granny flats exemption: Completion checklist

Once work is complete all required documentation must be submitted to Council within 20 working days. This includes:

• Final design plans
• Records of Work (RoWs)
• Certificates of Work (CoWs)
• Electrical and gas safety certificates.

Final documentation must be named appropriately and sent as PDFs (please do not zip the files).

Email the final documentation to: building@dcc.govt.nz

Discretionary exemption from building consent

You can apply for a discretionary exemption from building consent. We recommend talking to us first before applying.

We consider applications on a case by case basis and you need to note:

• there is no statutory time frame for us to make a decision – so allow plenty of time for processing your application in your planning
• there are no inspections carried out, and no code compliance certificate issued
• the responsibility for compliance with the Building Act and building code sits with you as the building owner.

When considering applications we:

• look at whether the work is being completed by qualified and experienced people
• check that the application shows a good understanding of the Building Act
• decide if your finished building work will meet the building code, or if it not then that it is unlikely to endanger people or any building on the same land or other property.

If your application is refused you’ll be given a reason. Depending on the findings, we may suggest you apply for a building consent.

No matter the outcome of our decision, payment is required to cover the time spent on reviewing your application. Charges are on a time and cost basis – see our fees for details (new window).

Discretionary exemption applications can be lodged using the DCC online portal (see application link below). You need to be a registered user (new window) to sign in and lodge an application online. The online form replaces the need to fill in a PDF application form.

• Guide to applying for an exemption from building consent
• MBIE - Everything you need to know

Adding a record of exempt building work to a property file

To avoid possible issues when on-selling your property, you should notify us and provide any relevant documentation (such as drawings, specifications and photographs) if you have completed exempt building work.

Please note that documentation on exempt building work lodged with us does not mean we have checked the building work and/or plans. We will not take any responsibility that the exempt building work has been designed or carried out in accordance with the building code.

If signoff of the building work is desired (such as a code compliance certificate), then you will need to apply for a building consent prior to the building work being started or apply for a certificate of acceptance.

Use the online form (see link below) to notify us. There is an administrative fee for placing the notification on file (refer to Building Services General Charges below).

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