This page contains information on resource consents that may be required before starting work on your heritage building.
The Second Generation Dunedin City Council District Plan (2GP), Appendix A1.1 Schedule of Protected Heritage Items and Sites, lists:
- 784 Scheduled Heritage Buildings
- 925 Character-Contributing Buildings
- 50 Heritage Structures
- 18 Heritage Sites
- 41 Archaeological Sites
Scheduled Heritage Buildings are specifically protected in the plan, though exactly what is protected will differ and requires checking. It is predominantly the facade of a building that is protected, however, increasingly it is the entire building envelope and in some exceptional cases, interiors as well. Appendix A1.1 of the 2GP identifies what is protected. If you are unsure you can clarify this with council in the first instance by contacting the City Planning Enquiries Desk on 03 477 4000.
There are also residential and commercial heritage precinct areas identified across the city, with controls to ensure that development within these areas retains and reflects the precinct’s existing heritage character and qualities. Appendix A2 of the 2GP provides important information on the heritage precinct values that must be considered when undertaking development. Appendix A1.1 also lists the Character-Contributing Buildings within the precincts that are also subject to specific development controls.
If you are planning any work (apart from minor repairs and maintenance works) that will affect either a part of your building that is listed on Appendix A1.1, or a part of your building that is visible from a public place if it is located within a heritage precinct, it is very likely that you will need a resource consent.
For more information please contact either the Planning Enquiries desk or the Heritage Advisor on 03 477 4000 or email heritage@dcc.govt.nz.
You will require a resource consent for the following common activities:
- Additions, including the placing or fixing of certain signs, new extensions, decks and other publicly visible additions
- Alterations, including the painting of unpainted buildings, the replacement of original doors and windows with modern systems, re-roofing in modern materials (e.g. replacing tiles and slates with steel), the removal of chimneys and other visible features.
- Demolition of protected buildings (both scheduled and character-contributing)
However, you are unlikely to need a resource consent for any of these activities:
- The painting/repainting of buildings that are already painted (although note that, in commercial heritage precincts, the colour(s) of the paint must be from the District Plan approved colour palettes).
- Restoration or repair work where the work is to be undertaken using original materials (e.g. on a like-for-like basis) and is in keeping with the original design of the building (however, Category 1 buildings require a resource consent).
- For scheduled buildings listed on Appendix A1.1, alterations and additions that will not affect the part of the building that is listed as requiring protection in the schedule, unless they are within a heritage precinct and will be visible from a public space.
- For buildings located in heritage precincts, any alterations or additions that will not be visible from a public place, unless they affect the protected part of a heritage building.
Resource Consent – Fee Waivers for Heritage Work
Non-notified resource consent applications for the following types of alteration are currently without charge:
- Replacing a roof on buildings located in a heritage precinct, or on a scheduled building
- Painting of buildings located in heritage precincts, or a scheduled building (previously painted)
- Modifying windows above verandah height of buildings located in a commercial heritage precinct
It is expected that for all three development activities, replacement will be undertaken in line with heritage best-practice principles (e.g. on a matching or like-for-like materials/design basis) as allowed for in the District Plan. Where activities do not meet this expectation, consent fee waivers will not apply.
Note: Building consent is required for most building work, subject to certain exemptions. See Building Services for further information.
Affected Party Approval - Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT) may also have an interest in your proposal, as it has a statutory role in the management of historic places in New Zealand.
Heritage New Zealand is usually considered to be an affected party for a resource consent application involving a scheduled building or a building in a heritage precinct if it is also included on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. To check if your building is on the List see here.
You should be aware that the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 applies to New Zealand's "historic and cultural heritage" which includes many sites and buildings of pre-1900 date not registered with the DCC or with Heritage New Zealand. Therefore, even if no resource consent is required for your proposal, you may still need their approval before you undertake any work involving demolition or ground disturbance.
To check your obligations, contact the Otago/Southland Regional office on 03 477 9871 or email: infodeepsouth@heritage.org.nz