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Building Consents
Most
building work you plan in the Masterton District requires that a
Building Consent be issued from the Council before it is carried out.
You may also require Resource
Consents You can download Building Consent application forms here. You
will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view & print these documents. 2. Why Go Through the Building Consent Process? 3. When is a Building Consent Required? 4. Applying for a Building Consent or PIM 7. Building Consents Fees & Charges 8. Inspections 1. About the Building ActThe Building Act 2004 and its Regulations set out the law on building work in New Zealand. The Act is administered nationally by the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) and locally by councils using the Building Consent process prescribed by the Act. The New Zealand Building CodeBuilding codes are important for achieving healthy and safe buildings. They provide a degree of security to people who use buildings that they can do so safely, with at least a minimum level of facilities or amenities. The current New Zealand Building Code is the First Schedule to the Building Regulations 1992. It has 35 clauses containing technical requirements and two clauses of general provisions. It sets out performance standards that buildings must meet – like how strong an earthquake they must be able to withstand, or how much natural light there should be in a bedroom. Performance standards under the Building Code govern a building’s durability, fire safety, sanitation (services and facilities), moisture control, energy efficiency and access. Unlike prescriptive codes, performance-based codes like New Zealand’s enable more than one way to achieve a performance standard. For example, the current Building Code requires for ventilation that: spaces within buildings have a means of ventilation with outdoor air that will provide an adequate number of air changes to maintain air purity. However, the Code does not specify how to achieve this. Designers and other professionals can therefore design their own solution, perhaps using innovative materials and methods that may provide better performance and/or cost less. They may also use the Acceptable Solutions provided in the Compliance Documents produced by the Department of Building and Housing. New Zealand Standards are often cited in the Building Code and Compliance Documents. Homeowners Building GuideThe New Zealand Homeowners Building Guide: Your guide to NZ building codes, building suppliers, building advice and so much more! Your responsibilites as a Property Owner under the Bulding ActAs a property owner, the Building Act 2004 requires you to: The Council's Role under the Building ActThe Masterton District Council is a Building Consent Authority (BCA) under the Act responsible for: ● administering the
Building Act 2004 in the Masterton District 2. Why go through the Building Consent Process?Building without a Building Consent where one is required is an offence in New Zealand which could result in fines and possibly the removal of the building work. It may also make it difficult to sell the building, or even get insurance. A Building Consent is issued by the Building Consents Authority through local government. It is consent granted in writing to conduct building work that it considers will comply with the Building Code if it is carried out according to the plans and specifications submitted with the Building Consent application. A Building Consent cannot be issued retrospectively for work already completed. In this case you must apply for a Certificate of Acceptance (COA) - more information below. 3. When is a Building Consent Required?A Building Consent must be obtained before any building work is started.
● Building work means
work for the construction, alteration, demolition or removal of a
building. Most building work, including plumbing and drainage and some earthworks, requires a Building Consent. Some basic building work does not. This is often referred to as 'exempt work'. All building work must comply with the Building Code, whether or not it requires a Building Consent. Examples of Work the Requires a Building Consent:
● structural building -
additions, alterations, re-piling, demolition Examples of Work that does not Require a Building Consent (Exempt Work):
● a patio or deck at ground
level The Department of Building and Housing provide a guidance document on what building work does not require building consent. This document is available at www.dbh.govt.nz/bc-no-consent Earthquake Prone Buildings
As required by the Building Act, the Council is reviewing potential
earthquake-prone, dangerous and unsanitary buildings in the District. 4. Applying for a Building Consent or PIMA Project Information Memorandum, or PIM, is a report provided by the Council about a specific building proposal on a specific site. A PIM is not a mandatory application but recommended prior final design work is completed. View Building Consent and PIM fees here. A PIM identifies known information on the land which could affect your proposed building project, such as:
● erosion It provides either:
● confirmation that
building work may be done, subject to the requirements of the Building
consent and provided that all other necessary authorisations have been
obtained; or Advantages in obtaining a PIM earlyYou should get a PIM at the planning stage of a project so you can decide whether your project is feasible and likely to be approved. It will also inform you of other Council approvals you must obtain before starting building work. Applying for a Building Consent
The Council has 20 working days to decide whether to grant or refuse
your application. Application Forms and Checklists
Usually a copy of the Certificate of Title (no older than three months)
must accompany your Building Consent application. Further InformationMore detailed information download:
● The Masterton District
Council's A Guide to Obtaining
a Building Consent 5. Plans and Specifications
Plans and specifications must be detailed, specific to the
project, and clearly demonstrate how compliance with the various clauses
of the Building Code will be met in your building project.
● fire protection
Generally two copies of all documents are required. Faxed plans are not
acceptable. 6. Producer Statements
A Producer Statement, while not specifically mentioned in the
Building Act 2004, can be valuable additional information to assist the
Council in determining compliance with the Building Code.
● design
Producer Statements should be submitted on forms supplied by the
professional organisations involved, such as chartered professional
engineers. Copies of calculations that form the basis of any Producer
Statements must be included. 7. Building Consent Fees and Charges
The Councils Building Consents Fees & Charges are calculated on the
actual time taken to approve the application, plus the cost of carrying
out the estimated number of inspections during construction. Additional Charges
The Council will make additional charges for its actual costs where
these are more than the estimated fees charged. Additional charges are
based on actual time spent on the application and other costs, including
additional inspections and administration. These must be paid before
Consents or Code Compliance Certificates will be issued. RefundsA new road crossing or damage deposit may be held in addition to the Building Consent fees. The amount depends on the existence of a vehicle road crossing at the building site, and is refunded on: the satisfactory completion of a new vehicle road crossing; or verification that no damage has occurred to the existing crossing, footpath, kerb or berm, etc, during construction. 8. Inspections
Inspections made during construction provide the Council with the
information to issue a Code Compliance Certificate at the completion of
the building project.
- type of inspection (foundation, pre-slab, pre-line, etc)
All approved documentation must be available on site for the inspection.
More information is available in:
Now you have your Building
Consent A Guide to the Inspection Process Application Forms and Checklists1. Building Consent Application Fees - 322kb .pdf file Application for Certificate of Acceptance - 295kb .pdf file Application for Building Consent for Commercial, Industrial or Multi Residential Building work - 250kb .pdf file Application for Building Consent for minor Plumbing or Drainage work, Swimming Pools 210kb .pdf file Application for Building Consent for Wood Burning Heater - 118kb .pdf file Application for PIM (Project Information Memorandum) - 207kb .pdf file Application for Building Consent for Residential Building work - Dwellings, Additions, Alterations, Garages, Sheds, Farm Sheds, Decks, Retaining Walls etc - 232kb .pdf file Application for Building Consent for Signs - 208kb .pdf file Application for Building Consent for Temporary Buildings, Marquees, Stages over 1m high, Grandstand seating etc - 132kb .pdf file Application for Amendment to a Building Consent - 254kb .pdf file Application for Certificate of Public Use - 43kb .pdf file Application for a Waiver or Modification to the Building Code - 230 kb .pdf file Earthquake Prone Buildings Policy - 97kb .pdf file Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings 82kb .pdf file
Links to helpful websites Department of Building and Housing Building Code Compliance Documents 
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