Beginners' guide to building consents

From City Scene, published on 20 April, 2008

Under construction: Council staff can provide advice on how to obtain a building consent and can also answer questions you may have about the building process.

If you are constructing a new building or making alterations to your home or other buildings on your property, you generally need to get a building consent from the council.

Auckland City Council staff are committed to making the process of obtaining consents as easy as possible while ensuring that projects meet planning and building code requirements.

Visit the website for application forms, check-sheets and guidelines listing the plans and documents you need for obtaining a building consent.

Application packs can be picked up from the council's offices at 35 Graham Street in central Auckland, at the council's service centres on Waiheke and Great Barrier islands, or requested by phoning the council on 379 2020.

Our staff are ready to provide advice on starting your project and answer any of your questions. Simply call in to our offices or phone 379 2020 and ask for the duty planner.

Applying for a project information memorandum - which details any information the council has that may affect your proposed project - can be a good idea before lodging your building consent application.

The council will then check that your application meets the requirements relating to building, plumbing and drainage, structural matters and resource management.

Once your building consent is issued and you have any other approvals that may be required, such as a resource consent, you can start work on your building project.