Certificates for public use

A Certificate for public use (CPU) is a provision under the Building Act that enables parts of premises affected by building work to be used safely by the public, before the building work is completed and a Code compliance certificate is issued.

When a Certificate for public use is needed

A CPU is used where council has granted a building consent for related building work and the Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) has not been issued.

Section 363A of the Building Act 2004 is the associated legislation. In summary of this section, a person who owns, occupies or controls premises intended for public use may apply for a CPU for the premises or part of the premises if:

building consent has been granted for building work affecting part or all of the premises; and
no CCC has been issued for the building work covered by the building consent.

A CPU does not relieve the owner from the obligation to apply for a CCC after the building work has been completed. Once the CCC has been issued for the building consent, the CPU is no longer valid.

How to apply

Complete a Certificate for public use application form:

Download the application form (452k PDF)

Mail your application to:

Commercial team leader - building inspections
Auckland City Environments
Private Bag 92516
Wellesley Street
Auckland 1141

Include the following information with your application:

A3 plans clearly identifying the relevant areas that the public will be utilising. This includes detailed floor layout and elevation plans.
A fire engineer's report showing what live emergency systems will be operating, the emergency escape routes, the relevant travel distances to the exits, and details as to the door swing configuration.
Accessible features such as toilets, showers, ramps, counter, signage, and accessible route within the building and from the car park.
Location of any hoardings, screens, fences and protection systems such as overhead wiring.
Information relating to dust prevention
Where relevant, information about any traffic control measures.
Occupancy numbers

The following Producer Statements or certificates may also be required:

Emergency lighting test certificate
Fire protection PS3 - Construction and FSIS or acceptable agency inspection report
Air conditioning/mechanical ventilation (HVAC) PS3 - Construction
Auto doors fail safe - PS3 - Construction
Electrical compliance certificate
Gas certificate
Glazing installation - PS3 - Construction
Structural - PS4 - Construction Review
Lifts and escalators - PS3 - Construction
Riser fire mains - PS3 - Construction and commissioning results

Special circumstances may be imposed on sites such as schools, hospitals, entertainment venues and sports complexes.

A compliance schedule application may be required with the CPU application. On an existing building, there may be a requirement to amend the existing compliance schedule to incorporate any new features covered by the building consent.
More on Compliance schedules

We will send you an invoice once we have received the application. The processing fee is approximately $350.

The processing timeframe, including the inspections, will take up to 20 working days.

We will issue the CPU upon receipt of payment.

Inspections

Inspections will be carried out to ensure fire safety, accessibility and compliance with all the relevant clauses of the Building Code. The processing officer will contact you to arrange the inspection time.

At the inspection, an expiry date for the CPU will be agreed. This can coincide with the lapsing of the building consent two years after the date it was granted. In the event of the CPU expiring, an application to extend will be required.

If the CPU expires and no CCC has been issued, a new application and inspection will be required to enable the public to use the building.

For more information about this process, please contact us.

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Published August 2009