Information & Considerations For Specific Approvals

A project information memorandum (PIM) can be applied for

• on its own, or
• with the building consent.

Where the application is for a PIM only then you’ll need to supply a site plan, floor plan and elevations of your proposal.

If the application is a PIM/BC then you’ll need to supply the same information as you do for a building consent application. The same timeframe applies for processing a PIM as for a building consent – ie 20 working days, although this may be sooner if workload allow.

At times we may need further information from you to allow your PIM processing to be completed. Where this happens we will contact you with a formal request for further information within 10 days of receiving your PIM application.

Marquees may require a building consent, or may be exempt.

Exempt marquees

Your marquee, tent or similar lightweight structure (eg a stall, booth, or compartment used at fairs, exhibitions, markets) is automatically exempt from needing a building consent if it

• has a floor area under 100m², and
• is not in place for more than a month.

This exemption recognises that these structures are simple construction and temporary, allowing you to construct, alter or remove a tent or marquee that is being used either for public use (eg fairs, exhibitions and market events) or private use (eg for a wedding reception). The restriction on maximum floor area in place to avoid potential safety problems.

For more details on exemptions see Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004.

Marquees needing a building consent

If your marquee that does not fall into the above category, you can either apply for

• a building consent, or
• a discretionary exemption from the need for building consent.

In either case you will need to complete all relevant sections of a building consent application form and supply required documentation to show compliance with the building code.

Exemptions have a minimum charge of $300.00 which is invoiced once your exemption has been either granted or refused. If processing time exceeds this amount (ie further information or an inspection by Council is required) then these costs will be charged at actual time and cost in addition to the $300.00.

The types of clean air approved solid fuel heaters that can be installed are controlled by the National Emission Standard. What you can install on your property depends on the location and size of your property.

Information on which solid fuel heaters are accepted in which regions can be found on the Environment Canterbury website. Alternatively any distributor of log burners should also be able to provide you with the relevant information.

Once you know which fire you can install and you are ready to lodge your building consent you’ll need to provide us with the following

• completed building consent application
• record of title, or sale and purchase agreement, or rates demand
• fixed fee payment – see our building fees for details
• specified intended life of 50 years – to reflect the intended life of the whole building not just the building element.

You can check that you have supplied all the information using our solid fuel heater consent application checklist [PDF, 74 KB].

Installing your own solid fuel heater

A solid fuel heater doesn’t have to be installed by a registered installer – you can install one yourself. If you’re thinking of doing this you will want to consider the following

• obtain professional advice from a registered builder with the relevant knowledge to help you comply with the building code
• the location of your solid fuel heater, as this may affect structural elements of your roof and walls
• installation to the manufacturers installation instructions, with the required clearances from the firebox to walls and anything combustible, and flue clearances in the roof space.

Solid fuel heaters that are installed in a cavity or recess (inbuilt fire) will need to have an inspection of the cavity before the installation of the fire. All clearances will be checked by a council inspector after installation to confirm the installation has been completed to the manufacturer’s specifications.

When applying for a consent for a pool, check our information on swimming pool barriers. This outlines what you need to have in place to help restrict access to the pool or immediate pool area to unsupervised children.

Depending on the type of pool being installed, a geotechnical report may not be required. This is because it’s not possible to prevent most pool structures from deforming during an earthquake. The structural engineer who designed your pool will be able to provide you with more advice.

If you already have a geotechnical report or shallow soil investigation for your site for a new home or similar please provide this information with your application, as this can still be helpful.

Before you start on a pool, you may want to check with your insurance company that your policy covers the replacement or repair of the pool in the event of a natural disaster.

There are two types of solar systems available. This may determine if you need a building consent.

Solar photovoltaic systems – also known as solar PV

• produces electricity that can be used to operate any electrical items linked to the system
• the panels are lighter, therefore put minimal additional loads onto your roof.

Generally speaking the energy work involved in installing solar PV does not require a building consent. All work must still comply with the building code.

Solar hot water

• a hot water system that heats up water
• has heavier panels that may put additional weight onto your roof

There are safety issues associated with water heating devices. Therefore to help ensure the system is installed correctly you’ll need to apply for a building consent. Your application will need to include

• a completed building consent application form
• a copy of the record of title
• product specifications, including attachment details
• a floor plan
• elevations of the dwelling
• a plumbing schematic
• hot water cylinder specifications, including details of the safe tray.

All solar hot water installations need a certifying plumber licensed to install the system.

Carrying out alterations/renovations

As a home owner you can complete some renovations yourself, so long as it is not restricted building work.

You will need a building consent if your renovation work involves

• altering the structure of your home
• involves installation of services (eg ensuite)
• any other work needed as a result of a failure to meet the durability and weathertightness requirements of your dwelling.

Restricted building work affects the structural integrity and weathertightness of a dwelling, therefore this work must be done or supervised by a licensed building practitioner.

You may be able to carry out restricted building work under the owner builder exemption of the Building Act – see information on owner builder exemptions for more details.

For your building consent to be granted we need to be satisfied that the building will

• be as near as reasonably practicable to the building code requirements for means of escape from fire, and access and facilities for people with disabilities (if required)
• continue to meet the other building code requirements to at least the same extent as before the alteration.

Part alteration requires upgrades to the whole building

Where part of your building is altered, this may trigger required updates for the whole building. Your application can be granted without your building meeting these requirements, but only if we can be satisfied that

• alterations wouldn’t happen if the building were to comply with the building code
• the alterations result in improvements to the means of escape from fire or access and facilities for people with disabilities
• the improvements outweigh any detriment that may happen as a result of the other non-compliance with the building code.

If your dwelling is connected to a septic tank system you will need to check the capacity of your septic tank before you add any additional bedrooms.

Where your home is already at the capacity for the septic tank then as part of your alterations you will need to check your septic tank is able to cope with the additional capacity. If it needs to be replaced you’ll need to include this information with your building consent.

Please contact Environment Canterbury to discuss any potential implications on altering your existing septic tank system.

Before you start you will need to apply for a building consent to connect to the council waste water scheme and decommission the existing septic tank. See information on how to apply .

Your application will need

• a record of title
• a site plan showing proposed drainage layout
• drainlayer’s name, registration number and contact details
• information on complying standards, materials, pipework size and gradient, showing
  • specified materials to satisfy the durability provisions of building code B2
  • means of compliance with the relevant building code clauses
• confirmation that existing septic tank has been emptied/removed and appropriately backfilled
• confirmation that old drains have been decommissioned (capped/removed).

In addition, you will need to complete a new sewer connection approval form before connecting to council’s system.

A registered drainlayer will need to carry out this work. Work will be inspected by our building inspection team before a code compliance certificate can be issued.

Please be aware that a development contribution may be required and need to paid prior to receiving your code compliance certificate.

Where your application relates to subdividing a building under section 116A of the Act, you will need to provide evidence with your application to show how the BCA can be satisfied on reasonable grounds that the building will comply, as nearly as is reasonably practicable, with every provision of the building code that relates to

• means of escape from fire
• access and facilities for persons with disabilities (if this is a requirement under section 118)
• protection of other property

and will

• if it complied with the other provisions of the building code immediately before the application for a subdivision was made, continue to comply with those provisions; or
• if it did not comply with the other provisions of the building code immediately before the application for a subdivision was made, continue to comply at least to the same extent as it did then comply.

This information is required to allow council to make a decision on whether it will issue a certificate under section 224(f) of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Consider applying for a national multiple-use approval (known as a multiproof) if you plan to replicate the same standardised building design many times.

A multiproof is a statement by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) that a set of plans and specifications for a building complies with the building code.

Multiproof consents can benefit you if you

• build or intend to build a number of similar designs
• use standard construction details for a range of similar designs
• need consistency when applying for building consents to different BCAs
• want to save time when applying for a building consent and lower consent cost
• intend and are able to build the approved design at least 10 times within a two year period.

Once a multiproof is approved by MBIE a site specific building consent is required each time you want to build the approved design. This allows the  BCA to confirm that the design, with any permitted variations, is the same as that approved in the multiproof and

• that the proposed site meets the conditions of the multiproof
• any site specific features of the design comply with the building code
• the inspections required.

Multiproof building consent applications must be granted within 10 working days instead of the usual 20 day timeframe.

For more information on multiproofs see the MBIE website which outlines

• suitable buildings and construction types eligible for multiproof applications, and
• whether your design meets the required criteria.

Buildings with specified systems

Where your building will have specified systems installed, you’ll need to provide with your building consent application information on the inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures for those specified systems using our Specified systems information form [DOCX, 105 KB]. Industry best practice is to also include the performance standards for the systems.

Note that you'll need the Specified system guidance document [DOCX, 1756 KB] open to complete the form.

Pallet Racking

If you have a building where the storage area contains pallet racking, the information you need to supply with your consent application will depend on the situation. For details please see our information guide on pallet racking [PDF, 96 KB].