The approach for identifying and managing potentially earthquake-prone buildings is governed by the provisions of the Building Act 2004.
Earthquake-prone building system changes announced - 29 September 2025
The government has announced a series of reforms to improve the earthquake-prone building (EPB) system. The changes are not yet law but a Bill is expected to be introduced in the coming months. The DCC will be assessing the information, including any implications for its regulatory role in Dunedin.
From 1 July 2017 the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 (the Act) introduced changes to the way earthquake-prone buildings are identified and managed. The system is consistent across the country and focuses on the most vulnerable buildings in terms of people's safety.
The Act categorises New Zealand into three seismic risk areas (low, medium and high) and sets time frames for identifying and taking action to strengthen or remove earthquake-prone buildings. It also provides more information for people using buildings, including ratings for earthquake-prone buildings and a public earthquake-prone buildings register.
Most of Dunedin is within the low-risk seismic zone, although a small area west and north of Sutton is within the medium zone. Building owners in medium zones have up to 25 years to complete seismic building work following receipt of an earthquake-prone building (EPB) notice, compared to 35 years for owners in low-risk seismic areas.
The Building (Earthquake-prone Building Deadlines and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2024 came into effect 26 November 2024. The amendment provides an extension to the remediation deadlines for earthquake-prone buildings by four years (except buildings with notices that expired on or before 1 April 2024). The extension applies to earthquake-prone buildings whose deadlines had not lapsed before 2 April 2024.
DCC is currently in the process of re-issuing earthquake-prone building notices to these buildings and updating the register of earthquake-prone buildings (the EPB Register).
DCC is also writing to building owners of potentially earthquake-prone buildings asking for an engineering assessment report to be provided. Given the number of buildings, this process will ongoing through to 2030. Additionally, the DCC will be:
- Identifying key vehicle and pedestrian routes together with priority buildings in the ‘medium seismic risk’ zoned area
- Reviewing the assessment reports received to determine if the building is earthquake-prone. Note, an assessment fee will apply - refer to the Building Services General Charges page
- Where a building is deemed earthquake-prone issue an EPB notice and the building details recorded in the national register
- Carry out biennial reporting to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
From 1 January 2021 all building consents that include voluntary seismic upgrades will be reviewed according to the methodology to identify earthquake prone buildings
If you are considering undertaking seismic strengthening building work for the first time, we recommend you come and talk to us early in the design process. Note, building consent fees are waived for applications that are solely for earthquake strengthening work (levies still apply).
To submit a seismic assessment or if you require more information please contact our Earthquake-Prone Building Officer on 03 477 4000 or email earthquakepronebuildings@dcc.govt.nz.
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Where to display earthquake-prone building notices
If your building has been identified as earthquake-prone, the Building Act 2004 requires the DCC to issue an earthquake-prone building notice. Building owners must display the notice prominently on or next to the building so it can be seen by anyone entering or passing.
If you’re displaying the notice on the building, examples of where to place it are:
- at each entrance and facing the street
- fixed to the inside of the windows facing out
- at eye level, or at the lower corner of a window (at least 500mm off the ground).
If you’re also displaying a notice inside, it should be at eye level on a wall visible to anyone entering the building.
If the building is unable to be used, display the notice:
- next to the building, in a place which is easily seen, such as on a hoarding or fence
- on a hoarding or fence at entry points to the building.
If your notice is lost or damaged, tell us and we will replace it.
If the notice is not displayed in a prominent place, individual building owners could be fined up to $50,000 and body corporates up to $150,000.
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Earthquake-prone building related council costs
Earthquake-prone building related council costs - information
Does the DCC have to do this work?
Yes, the Building Act requires councils to identify potentially earthquake-prone buildings and it specifies the process for this. Councils throughout New Zealand have to do this work.
How are these fees set?
Fees are set by the Council and are reviewed and approved annually. The fees cover the cost of the work. For more information about our fees please visit https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/building-services/building-services-charges .
I’ve already paid an engineer for work – isn’t that enough?
While engineers provide advice on earthquake-prone buildings, the Building Act also requires councils to follow a specific process to identify earthquake-prone buildings.
What do these fees cover?
Fees cover the work that the Building Act requires councils to do, including:
- identifying potentially earthquake-prone buildings
- requesting and reviewing assessments
- determining if buildings are earthquake-prone
- reviewing that earthquake-prone building notices are attached to buildings & issuing infringements if notices are not displayed
- reviewing voluntary earthquake information
- keeping and updating records.*
Why do I have to pay council for this work?
The fees cover the cost of the work. Building Services costs are recovered by fees, as allowed by the Building Act. Fees are set by the Council and are reviewed and approved annually. For more information about our fees please visit https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/building-services/building-services-charges .
How do I find out about the fees that will be charged?
We include the fees in all of our written correspondence and include the web link to the fees on our website.
Seismic strengthening building work
Building consent fees are waived for applications that are solely for earthquake strengthening work (levies still apply).
We are always happy to go through any questions you might have so please don’t hesitate to contact us on 03 4774000 or email earthquakepronebuildings@dcc.govt.nz .
*Here is the link to the Building Act 2004 and here are the relevant sections:
- Councils (territorial authorities):
- charging fees – section 219
- identifying potentially earthquake-prone buildings – section 133AG
- requesting assessments – section 133AH
- reviewing assessments – section 133AK
- determining if a building is earthquake-prone – section 133AK
- issuing earthquake-prone building notices – section 133AL
- reviewing that earthquake-prone building notices are attached to buildings – section 133AP
- reviewing voluntarily earthquake information – section 133AQ
- issuing infringements for not displaying earthquake-prone building notices – section 133AU
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Useful guidance
- Seismic Strengthening Guidelines - Dunedin City Council
- Managing Earthquake-prone buildings - MBIE
- Seismic Work Programme - Risk Guidance - MBIE
- Earthquake-prone buildings guidance - Auckland City Council
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Dunedin Heritage Fund
The Dunedin heritage fund is available to help heritage building owners with incentive funding for works on heritage buildings including earthquake strengthening. More information can be found here www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/dunedin-heritage/how-can-we-help/heritage-fund.
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Register of earth-quake prone buildings
The EPB Register provides information about buildings that territorial authorities (local councils) have determined to be earthquake prone. These decisions will be made progressively within the time frames defined in the Building Act 2004.
Register of earthquake-prone buildings | Building Performance