Applying for a building consent

How to apply for a building consent?

You can apply for a building consent through the online AlphaOne Building Consent system. You can also use this portal to apply for amendments to your approved building consent or a code compliance certificate when you have finished building. 

The application is to be completed by the property owner or their authorised agent, e.g. architect, engineer, draughtsman or builder. Written authorisation from the owner is required if the agent has completed the consent application and is going to act on their behalf.

You must attach all documents relevant to your building project as a PDF. Note: a Record of Title not older than 1 month is required with the application available from Landonline, or use the tick option if you require Napier City Council to obtain a Record of Title on your behalf.

What sort of information do I need?

Building consent applications can be complex. We recommend that you engage a professional person to help with design work and drawings.

Each application must include (where applicable):

• Plans (which should include)
  - a location plan
  - a site plan
  - a floor plan of each floor (if there is more than one)
  - an elevation of each exterior wall
  - a foundation layout – refer to the section below for information on design for liquefaction-prone ground and foundation layout - refer to the section below for information on design for liquefaction-prone ground and how to meet the changes to B1/AS1 how to meet the changes to B1/AS1
  - a drainage plan a drainage plan
  - and sufficient cross-sections to show the full nature and extent of the work including details of junctions and flashings
  - Note: We have different requirements for Residential/Minor Work and Commercial/Industrial.
• Specifications
• Geotechnical report for new buildings
• Engineering calculations
• Wall bracing calculations
• An E2 risk matrix (demonstrating weathertightness features)
• Producer statement/s (project specific producer statements may be accepted from Chartered Professional Engineers as a means of satisfying on reasonable grounds that certain provisions of the Building Code have been met)
• Fire safety design (required for all commercial work and/or public buildings)
• LBP names and license numbers
• Design certificate (2A) Restricted Building Work
• National Environmental Standard (NES) form, if covering any new ground.

Design for liquefaction-prone ground and how to get ready for the B1/AS1 changes

In November 2019, a change was made to the definition of ‘good ground’ within the B1 Acceptable Solution B1/AS1 to prevent it from being used on liquefaction-prone ground. This change comes into effect from 29 November 2021. The change to B1/AS1 directs those building on liquefaction-prone ground to select appropriate foundations for new structures. 

To help councils, engineers and developers implement the changes The Building Performance Team at MBIE has developed the following resources to help compliance:

• Flowcharts showing compliance pathways for building consents submitted after 28 November 2021.
• Simplified method for specifying foundations for NZS 3604-type residential buildings.
• A summary for the assessment of liquefaction vulnerability at regional scale in accordance with the MBIE/MfE guidance (2017).

 New resources to comply with B1/AS1

This information will help councils, BCAs, engineers, architects and designers across New Zealand understand the 'good ground' change, assist mapping liquefaction-prone-ground in their region and support consistent design of resilient foundations when the changes come into effect.

Remember, some parts of New Zealand are prone to greater levels of seismic risk than others, therefore the level of mapping required may vary across regions. The level of mapping may also vary with the type of activity or the development scenario.

The Building Performance team will start to raise awareness with designers, engineers and architects so they are prepared and organised when submitting building consent applications from 29 November 2021.

For more information, please visit building.govt.nz or email the Building Performance team at buildingfeedback@mbie.govt.nz.

View Napier City Council's Addressing NZBC B1 Liquefaction Requirements Policy here.

Protecting your stormwater during building

Building and construction activities can affect Napier’s waterways and the Ahuriri Estuary which receives surface water as a result of rainfall. To find out how to minimise your impact on Napier’s surface water quality, go to Stormwater - How you can help. 

Accepting and considering producer statements

Although not expressly referred to in the Building Act, producer statements (PS) could be accepted and considered as part of the plans or specifications, however producer statements have no legal status under the Act. PS will assist the building consent authority in deciding whether it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the provisions of the building code will be met if the building work is completed in accordance with the plans and specifications

When submitting professional opinions, such as producer statements with calculations, you should provide sufficient support to a building consent application, to the degree that the BCA will be “satisfied on reasonable grounds” that the building work will comply with the NZ Building Act 2004 and the NZ Building Code. It is the responsibility of the professional to provide quality assurance for documentation they submit during all phases of the life of the building consent, including inspection records and construction statements.

A producer statement requires the following as a minimum requirement to be accepted:

• A written statement
• Header with producer statement
• Who is issuing the producer statement (suitably qualified and author of producer statement)
• The producer statement must be addressed for the attention of the Napier City Council
• Who has completed or designed the work identified (qualifications to undertake the work required)
• The product name and specifications for application of product used (where applicable)
• What parts/clauses of the Building Code the work relates to
• Full legal description of the site where the work will be undertaken
• Clearly identifying what part of the building consent work is covered by the producer statement
• Provide the sum of Provisional Indemnity Insurance held
• The author's name and signature
• Date the producer statement was produced.

Alterations to an existing building

If you're making alterations to an existing building, section 112 of the Building Act 2004 has to be considered.

Section 112 (1) of the Act requires Council, as the Building Consent Authority, to be satisfied that after the alterations the building will comply, as nearly as is reasonably practicable, with the current provisions of the Building Code that relate to:

1. Means of escape from fire.
2. Access and facilities for persons with disabilities (if this is a requirement in terms of section 118).
3. Continued compliance with the other provisions of the Building Code to at least the same extent as before the alteration.

To be satisfied that consideration of Section 112 has been undertaken, Council will assess the extent to which the proposed upgrade will be effective to bring the building to the relevant Building Code standards. As part of the building consent application, building owners will need to provide an evaluation of:

1. What should be in the building to satisfy 1 and 2 above as if this building was new.
2. What is currently in the building
3. What is proposed to bring this building toward the standard required by items 1 and 2 above.

The evaluation should also detail the benefits and sacrifices required so Council can consider what is ‘reasonably practicable’.

Changing the use of a building

Section 115 of the Building Act 2004 ensures that when changing the use of a building, the current building stock is being upgraded toward the current provisions of the Building Code, specifically relating to:

1. Means of escape from fire, along with protection of other property, sanitary facilities, structural performance, and fire-rating performance.
2. Facilities for persons with disabilities (if this is a requirement in terms of section 118)
3. Continued compliance with the other provisions of the Building Code to at least the same extent as before the change of use.

Council will need to assess the extent to which the proposed upgrade will be effective to bring the building closer to the relevant Building Code standards. As part of the building consent application, building owners will need to provide an evaluation of:

• What should be in the building to satisfy 1 and 2 above as if this building was new.
• What is currently in the building.
• What is proposed to bring this building toward the standard required by items 1 and 2 above.

The evaluation should also detail the benefits and sacrifices required so Council can consider what is ‘reasonably practicable’.

In a case where the change of use involves the incorporation in the building of 1 or more household units where household units did not exist before the building in its new use needs to comply, as nearly as is reasonably practicable, with the Building Code in all respects.

Extending the life of a building

Some buildings have a specified intended lifespan, either due to code compliance inadequacies or because they were constructed to be temporary buildings. When a building consent is issued on a building like this, it is subject to the condition that it be altered, demolished or removed before the end of its specified intended life (imposed under s 113(2) of the Building Act).

However, we can approve an ‘extension of life’ if we are satisfied that the building can continue to perform for a longer period.

If you would like to extend the life of a building you’ll need to provide us with written notice (see s116 of the Building Act).

Subdivision of buildings

You also need to let us know if you intend to subdivide land in a way that affects a building – e.g. if you are dividing a large house into multiple units (see section 116A of the Building Act).

We cannot issue a certificate under section 224(f) of the Resource Management Act 1991 for the purposes of giving effect to a subdivision affecting a building or part of a building unless it is 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 the following:

• Means of escape from fire.
• Access and facilities for people with disabilities (if this is a requirement for the building).
• Protection of other property.

The building must also continue to comply with the other provisions of the Building Code to at least the same extent as before the subdivision application was made.

Specified systems

When you apply for a building consent, you must include a list of all specified systems in the building project. Specified systems are systems or features installed in a building that are crucial to the safety and health of the building and those who use it, or systems which, if they are not maintained, could cause injury or harm. The proposed inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures for the specified systems must be supplied. Refer to the Specified Systems section for further information.