If you need help to complete the building consent application form, talk to our staff before submitting your application, or ask your builder or designer to help you.
Ready to apply?
Complete the Building Consent Application Form and make sure you have all required plans and supporting documents before submitting your application.
What's required with your application?
Before submitting your application, review:
The application form, plans and supporting documentation must meet our standards.
Every application must be made on the prescribed form and completed in full, including the list of Building Code means of compliance completed by the designer.
A comprehensive list of supporting documentation is included on the application form. Together with your application form, you're required to provide a copy of the plans that are clear, concise and drawn to scale on white paper in black ink only.
We won't accept plans drawn on graph paper. Contact our staff for help with any part of the form.
The plans should include:
- a location plan
- site plan
- a floor plan of each floor (if there is more than one)
- an elevation of each exterior wall
- drainage plan
- foundation layout
- sufficient cross-sections to show the full nature and extent of the work
- a full set of construction details of specifications.
Location plan
Show the location of the site in relation to known landmarks or reference points. This plan does not need not be drawn to scale.
Site plan (scale 1:200)
The site plan must be drawn to scale and should show:
- all buildings on the site
- the relationship of the buildings to the site boundaries.
- the location of any septic tanks and effluent lines, where applicable.
A scale of 1:200 is not always possible. If your project is on a rural property and this scale is not practical, contact the Duty Building Inspector to discuss what information is needed.
Floor plan (scale 1:50 or 1:100)
Floor plan should clearly show:
- doors and windows
- room layout
- the intended use of each room
- Show fittings such as kitchen benches, bathroom fixtures such as bath and basin and the location of toilets.
Elevations (scale 1:50 or 1:100)
Provide an elevation for each exterior wall showing all doors, windows and other openings.
For new dwellings and substantial additions, you must provide a weathertightness matrix for each elevation. This scoring system determines whether your selected exterior cladding requires a drained and ventilated cavity.
For more information about the Weathertightness risk matrix.
Cross-sections (scale1:50)
Provide cross-sections that clearly show:
- the method of construction
- materials proposed for use
- floor levels
- adjacent ground levels.
When can the work start?
Work must not start any building work until the invoice has been paid and the building consent has been issued and collected.
You must read the approved building consent documents before work begins.
The stamped documents must be kept on site at all times during building construction.