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Rotorua District Council.
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Do I need a building consent?
 
If  you want to:
  • Build a new dwelling
  • Build a deck or pergola
  • Build a fence or retaining wall
  • Build a garage or carport
  • Carry out extensions or alterations to an existing dwelling
  • Install a septic tank (this may also require a resource consent from Environment Bay of Plenty)
  • Install a solid fuel heater
  • Install a swimming pool or spa pool 

 Whatever the project you will probably require a Building Consent if the project is not listed as "Exempt Work".

The Building Act 2004


Section 40
Buildings not to be constructed, altered, demolished, or removed without consent

 

(1) A person must not carry out any building work except in accordance with a building consent.

 

(2) A person commits an offence if the person fails to comply with this section.

 

(3) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $10,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence has continued.


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Exempt Work:

All work must meet the Building Code

REPAIRS:    If you are repairing a fixture or structure and using exactly the same materials as originals and these repairs do not alter the fixture or structure in any way, a consent is not required.  For example - Re-roofing a dwelling if the design or size of the roof is not altered including the pitch of the roof  and product, a Building Consent is not required.

GARDEN SHEDS: Provided the shed is less than 10m2 in floor area, is of a single storey in nature and non habitable, it may be placed on your property without Building Consent, provided the shed is at least its own height away from a legal boundary and habitable building.

DECKS: Provided the deck is not roofed over and is under 1.00m in height from ground level to the top of the deck at any point this includes a built in seat, a Building Consent is not required.  However, if you intend to construct a pergola or verandah structure on top of the deck at a later date, it is advisable to make application for building consent for all construction, prior to construction of the deck, to ensure deck and foundations are designed to support all structures.  Inspections will also be necessary during construction, to ensure compliance.

RETAINING WALLS: If a wall does not exceed 1.50m in height at any one point and is not going to support an area for a building or structure including a fence, or will be used for a vehicle to be driven over or parked on, and does not interfere with the natural flow of excess water on the property, a Building Consent is not required.


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General Note:

PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE: Although a Building Consent may not be required in the case of Plumbing and Drainage repairs, these works are still required to be carried out by a registered person of the appropriate trade.

EXEMPT WORK: In all instances, it is advisable to draw up plans and specifications of your intended project and discuss these with Council's Building Officers.  Even if a Building Consent is not required, we are happy to place a copy of your plans of intended projects, on your property file for future reference, so at a later date should you wish to sell your property we will have an up to date record of all building work carried out on your property in the past, that is available for the prospective purchaser to peruse.

FURTHER DETAILS: If you require further details or clarification, please contact the Building Services Division of Council at (07) 348 4199 or email.
 

Related Links:

Building Forms

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Copyright 2005 Rotorua District Council.
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