You'll need a certificate for public use (CPU) for public to access your building, or part thereof, while consented building work is underway and before the building work has been signed off as complete. This is to help ensure the public stay safe on your premises.

As a building owner, you must not open your building to the public until

  • an approved Council CPU inspection has been completed to check that the necessary safety steps are in place for the public to access the building or part thereof (ie hoardings/fences and safety features of the building etc), and
  • approved CPU documentation has been issued.

Note: it is an offence to use or allow use of a building for public use when there is building work going on but no certificate for public use. Fines can be up to $200,000, and a further $20,000 for every day or part of a day the offence continues.

What defines public use?

Generally these are buildings with free and open access for the public to use (including payment to use facilities) – eg shops, schools, hospitals, recreation centres, public foyers in office and apartment buildings, accommodation premises, etc – and includes reception areas that are open to the public even though the rest of the building is closed to the public.

It doesn’t apply to

  • private homes, apartments, offices, places of work that the public can’t access (eg swipe card or keypad access), or
  • where the work doesn’t need a building consent (eg non-structural fitout of a shop).

Applying for a CPU

Before applying for a CPU get in touch with our building commercial team on 03 347 2800 or contactus@selwyn.govt.nz to discuss your requirements and stage of your build. A pre-application meeting may be required depending on the scope of the work.

If Council agrees that your project will be considered for a CPU, you can then apply for your CPU. The fees for a CPU include

  • an initial fee for receiving your application, and
  • processing and inspection time which will be invoiced on a time and cost basis.

Council has 20 working days to review your application and decide on whether to issue you with a CPU.

Your application will need to show that all or part of the building (whatever you are applying for) can be used safely by members of the public.

What to supply with your CPU application

  • Completed CPU application form (Form 15) [PDF, 229 KB]
  • Evidence of ownership (current record of title for the property)
  • Site and/or floor plan showing the areas for public access
  • Site-specific public safety management plan
  • CPU site contact details (ie name, role, email address, mobile number) for the person responsible to ensure all conditions of the CPU are adhered to during the life of the CPU
  • A statement from the Fire Engineer in regard to suitability for the building to be used
  • Confirmation that accessible facilities/accessible routes are appropriate for the areas to be open to the public
  • Expected timeframe the CPU to be in place
  • Payment for receiving your application.

And also the following if not already provided prior to applying for a CPU

  • Energy works certificates (ie electrical, and gas if applicable)
  • Producer statements or certifications (ie PS4, PS3 and as built drawings) for the install and/or alteration of any specified systems
  • Producer statement construction Review (ie PS4 & construction monitoring records) for any engineered works

Note: You may be asked for further documentation and/or justification while your application is being reviewed to help determine that your building will be safe for public use.

Commonly failed CPU inspection items include:

  • Hoardings/fencing – these must be in place as shown on the site plan supplied at the time of the CPU Council inspection
  • General accessibility – all accessible areas need to either be completed or an appropriate temporary solution in place for us to be able to deem it suitable for public use (ie accessible parking, ramps)
  • Accessible facilities – all work needs to be complete, with all sanitary items and accessible features in place (ie grab rails, kick plates, appropriate door handles/locks)
  • General bathroom areas – all work needs to be complete, with all sanitary items in place (ie soap dispensers, paper towels, bins, toilet roll holders and paper)
  • Hot water – this is required to be on and up to temperature for site inspection

Once you receive your certificate for public use, check your CPU certificate for the following:

  • any special conditions that you need to follow, and
  • validity period – which is the time by which you either need to have an issued:
    • code compliance certificate, or
    • an extension to the certificate for public use.

If during continued building work, you need to open additional areas not covered under the CPU you'll need to contact us to discuss what is required – eg you may need to submit an application to amend your CPU and may need an additional CPU inspection.

As soon as all building work is completed you'll still need to apply for your code compliance certificate.

For more information see Public access during a build on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.