In this section

2023 is well underway and the building consents continue to flow...

Some interesting information from the 2022 year:

  • We received 2,972 applications - 138 applications less than 2021
  • Of these, 571 applications were fast track applications through our professional partnership programme
  • Over 79% of applications received were for new dwellings
  • A massive 18,278 inspections were completed
Inspection timeframes
  • In general our inspection workload is still allowing inspection bookings within 48 hours. Please bear in mind that some days this may change due to inspector and contractor availability.
Processing timeframes

As at the end of February:

  • The average working days for building consents being picked is 17 days (note this is an average)
  • 67% of applications were processed within 20 working days, with our team continuing to process more applications than we received, with consents that were already over the 20 working days last year and have an outstanding RFI still having an impact on our current compliance with the 20 day statutory timeframe – we expect this figure to keep improving as a decision is made on these projects and we continue to keep up with the new consents received
  • The good news is:
    • New residential consents are being processed within the 20 day statutory timeframe
    • New commercial consents are being processed generally within 25 working days

    • Note that timeframes depend on the quality of your application.

Don't forget to checkout:

- Last updated March 2023

Did you know.....

H1 requirements

There are changes to the requirements of building code clause H1 that affect applications submitted after 3 November 2022. See our information on what this means for your application.

A new code of ethics for Licensed Building Practitioners [PDF, 153 KB]

In October 2021, the Government announced a new code of ethics for Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs), with a one-year transition period before it becomes enforceable.

The code of ethics, effective from 25 October 2022, sets behavioural standards for LBPs to give both the industry and consumers clarity on what is expected from LBPs, and to hold them to account.

See the LBP website to learn more about the code of ethics and to access education resources

As a building consent authority Selwyn District Council is responsible for processing building consent applications within Selwyn district.

In this section of our website you can find out all the relevant information on what is involved in getting a building consent.

Customer promise

We are committed to delivering high quality, professional regulatory building control and associated services to customers through:

  • the provision of high quality and consistent customer service
  • ensuring new and altered buildings in the Selwyn District are of a high standards through compliance with the Building Act 2004 and building code
  • striving for continuous improvement in systems and procedures.

Our aim is to:

  • make the process of applying for, and obtaining, an approved building consent as simple and as easy as possible
  • not compromise technical accuracy
  • determine all applications within statutory timeframes.

Tips for your build

  • We cannot do design work for you but we can advise on how to go about organising building and resource consent applications
  • Doing your research early can save time and money later, by identifying the need for specific design or other technical reports
  • Don't take the risk of building without first getting a building consent – that is illegal and may result in enforcement action
  • Complete any remedial work advised by an inspector before you proceed to the next stage of work - otherwise you could be liable for enforcement action
  • Skipping inspections can be costly – missed inspections or work covered up prematurely could mean that you will have to undo work to enable building work to be inspected before we can issue a code compliance certificate for the completed construction.

Enquiries

Use information on our website as a starting point.

If you need further help get in touch with us:

  • Online form – for feedback, compliments or complaints
  • Email – contactus@selwyn.govt.nz
  • In person – Selwyn District Council headquarters, 2 Norman Kirk Drive, Rolleston
  • Phone – 0800 SELWYN (735 996)

Council’s customer services team will assist, or put your through to the building team for further help.

If your enquiry relates to a building consent you can ask to be put through to:

  • a Building Advisor if it is to do with vetting or a general enquiry
  • the relevant Building Surveyor if your consent is being processed or you need clarification on an inspection notice.

If you need to escalate your enquiry or concern:

  • ask the Building Advisor or Surveyor to put you through to the Senior Building Advisor or Surveyor first,

  • or if you need to take it further, your next point of contact is our Team Leaders.

To see who our Senior Building Advisor or Surveyors and Team Leaders are meet our team.