Information and how to apply for a Flood Assessment Certificate for Residential unit/s on a single site in an Urban zone

From 1st of December 2025, FACs charges will be applied on a per lot basis, in alignment with the Long-Term Plan. This fee structure will allow Selwyn District Council to keep the flood model up to date by undertaking regular updates to the model. The current fee for the 2025/26 financial year is: Flood Assessment Certificate fee of $205 plus Flood Assessment of $256 per lot (being a minimum of $461 per FAC).

Information that is required to be submitted with an application for a Flood Assessment Certificate in an Urban zone

  • Application form
  • Current Record of Title for the property, issued within the last 6 months.
  • Copies of any consent notices registered on the Record of Title
  • Site plan that includes existing site ground levels in relation to a datum reference for the top of the kerb the road immediately adjacent to the site or top of kerb on the right-of-way. The plan must be certified by a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor to a datum mark which is permanent for use during the build. The datum reference shall be in New Zealand Vertical Datum NZVD2016 format.

Note: Any record of title or copies of consent notices can be obtained from Land Information New Zealand. Please note that we do not accept GRIP titles or Historical search titles.
Land Record Search (linz.govt.nz)

For all new urban multi-unit and urban minor residential unit development that doesn't have an existing Flood Assessment Certificate

Please advise with your application if you are applying in conjunction with Engineering Acceptance and it will be processed concurrently by the Engineers.

Please submit all required information and any further supporting documents to floodassessmentcertificates@selwyn.govt.nz

What if I have a consent notice that refers to obtaining a Flood Hazard Assessment from Environment Canterbury even though I am in an Urban zone?

If you have a consent notice that refers to obtaining a Flood Hazard Assessment from Environment Canterbury, you will then need to follow the same process/requirements as the Rural zone application.

Why was the change to datum levels made?

In reviewing many building consent applications for purpose of issuing a FAC we have observed that in some cases the datums referenced on the plans are not consistent with the datum references of flood information we hold. We have also observed that in some cases the site levels on the plans are not very accurate in relation to the actual site or road levels. Having a reliable NZVD 2016 datum will overcome these issues. It will also provide a benchmark for all other aspects of the proposed building that can be utilised by the designer and the builder. It is better the survey is carried out earlier rather than later in the project.

Setting finished floor levels in relation to a confirmed datum reference is simpler to comply with, reduces the potential for errors and gives certainty to the Council and homeowners that residential units and principal buildings are being constructed to the appropriate finished floor level.  Using a known datum reference also better accommodates development on lots that are not completely flat.

Note: Where more than one FAC has been issued for a specific site, the latest FAC must be followed and all other previously issued FAC's will be deemed as superseded.

What if I already have a FAC but would prefer the finished floor level to set in relation to a known datum reference?

If you would like us to set the floor level in relation to a known datum reference, you will need to resubmit a new FAC application in full.  We will process this at no charge if you have had a FAC issued prior to 01 May 2024, and it has not expired. Please note that this applies to any previous FAC’s that were issued and did not have any Datum reference on the certificate.

Note: if the site already has a Flood Assessment Certificate issued that references the minimum floor height in relation to the LVD37, then all site levels and onsite datum/benchmark shall be provided in LVD37 format for your building consent. Please contact building.technical@selwyn.govt.nz for further information.