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.

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 flat (small stand-alone dwellings) building consent exemption

This exemption can only be used for building work started after the issue of the required project information memorandum (PIM) from the 15 January 2026.

The exemption allows small stand-alone dwellings up to 70 square metres in size to be built without a building consent if:

• it has a simple design and meets the Building Code
• homeowners notify their local council before they commence building and once it is completed
• the work is carried out or supervised by licensed building professionals
• all other exemption conditions are met.

Homeowners are legally responsible for ensuring that building work fully complies with the conditions of the granny flats exemption and meets the requirements of the Building Code. If any of the exemption conditions are not met, the building work is not considered exempt, and a building consent will be required. Homeowners must apply for a project information memorandum (PIM) before they start the work.

Homeowners also need to ensure that the granny flats building consent exemption meets certain permitted activity standards and criteria under the Resource Management Act 1991, the National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units (NES-DMRU).

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

For further information visit: Granny flats exemption: Guidance and resources | Building Performance

To apply:

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

• Complete the Application for project information memorandum for non-consented small standalone dwelling
• Submit the completed application to building@dcc.govt.nz

Fees and charges will apply, visit - Building fees and charges

Note, a development contribution may be charged.

Due to the short rollout of this legislation, we will not have a fully workable solution incorporating the required changes to forms and background processes until approximately March. Until such time, we will process the PIMs manually.

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

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

We are prepared to accept notifications from owners relating to exempt building work and place a copy of the information on the property file. DCC will not take any responsibility that the exempt building work has been designed or carried out in accordance with the building code.

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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