Navigating the building consent process in Wellington

Do I need building consent?

Planning to build, renovate or demolish your Wellington home? Find out whether you need building consent, resource consent or both.

What is building consent?

Building consent is official permission by your local council to construct, alter, demolish or remove a building. It shows your project complies with the Building Act 2004 and the New Zealand Building Code, and most new buildings, especially those involving plumbing and electrical work, need this consent. Work that needs building consent includes:

• building a new house

• many types of additions or alterations

• removing load-bearing walls

• retaining walls over 1.5 metres

• decking over 1.5 metres above ground level

• fences over 2.5 metres high

• most swimming pools and all swimming pool fences

• installing solar panels

• most plumbing and drainage work

What about resource consent?

You might need resource consent if your project will affect the environment and the community. It relates to things like the type of activity, building heights, appearance, location and noise. If you're changing the overall form or character of an existing building, you might need resource consent. This includes:

• subdividing or developing land

• earthworks

• cutting down trees or vegetation

• some retail, commercial or industrial activities

Restricted building work

Restricted building work (RBW) is the design or construction of work that ensures your home is structurally sound and weathertight. This includes foundations, framing, floors, walls, roofing and cladding. RBW must be done by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). LBPs like Peaky Builders, have been assessed and are registered as qualified to carry out RBW.

Some improvements don't need building consent

There are home improvements that don’t need council approval because they involve minimal risk. Generally, cosmetic changes and like-for-like upgrades are exempt, as they are considered maintenance. You can:

• Update the cabinets and benchtop in your kitchen, if the sink stays in its current location

• Replace a window with French doors for more light and better indoor-outdoor flow

• Reconfigure your bathroom layout for a more functional design

• Improve your outdoor area with a new deck and fencing

• Replace like-for-like exterior cladding, as long as your building hasn’t been identified as leaky

• Remove internal walls to create a modern open plan layout, as long as the walls aren’t load bearing or essential to the structural integrity
  

Note that all improvements, whether you need consent or not, must comply with the Building Code and you may need to consult with a qualified professional for certain tasks.

This information is intended to be a general guide only and each council has its own regulations. Please get professional advice for your particular project or check online at canibuildit.govt.nz. You can find more information on the building and consent process from your local council’s website or get expert advice from the Peaky Builders team.

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