Understand the Consent Process

Getting consent is an essential part of most construction projects in New Zealand. This article explains the differences between building and resource consents, common mistakes that cause delays, and how understanding the process can help keep your project on track. Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, or commercial client, knowing what to expect makes planning smoother and more efficient.

Spring is a popular time to submit consents to be ready to build during the good weather summer months. As part of the design and build process, understanding what consents are required and how they are processed, can help you avoid delays and keep your project moving efficiently.

What Is a Building Consent?

A building consent is council approval that confirms your proposed work complies with the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC). Unlike resource consents, which focus on land use and planning rules, building consents ensure your construction is safe, durable, and legally compliant.

You’ll typically need a building consent for:

• New builds or extensions

• Structural changes

• Plumbing, drainage, or fire systems

• Other alterations affecting safety or compliance

Some small or exempt work may not require consent, but it’s always best to check with your local council.

What is a Resource Consent?

A resource consent is different from a building consent. Instead of checking that your design complies with the Building Code, it looks at whether your project meets the rules in the District Plan. These rules manage how land is used and developed, protecting the impact of the environment, neighbourhood character, and how other people may be affected.

You may need a resource consent if your project involves:

• Building too close to a boundary or exceeding height-to-boundary rules

• Increasing the site’s site coverage or floor area ratio beyond limits

• Changing the use of a building (for example, residential to commercial)

• Working on a site with overlays or environmental protections

• Developing or subdividing land

• Creating more traffic or infrastructure demand than normally allowed

Depending on the scope, resource consents can be processed quickly (non-notified), involve limited notification to neighbours, or in some cases, require a fully notified public process.

Resource consent may need to be granted before a building consent can move forward, though often the two processes can run in parallel with careful planning and the right documentation.

Common Mistakes That Cause Delays

Even though consents are part of the normal process, delays are common. Some of the most frequent issues include:

1. Submitting incomplete or unclear documentation
   Councils will reject applications or request information for missing or unclear drawings or specialist reports.

2. Assuming you don't need consent
   Minor works can still require resource consent and/or building consent if it affects planning rules, waterproofing, structure, or services.

3. Not allowing enough time
   Council processing can take approximately 20–60 working days or longer if there are large complexities and resource consent that are publicly notified can drag on particularly if a hearing is required.

4. Lack of coordination between professionals
   If your architect, engineer, and builder aren’t aligned, changes can trigger delays.

5. Changing the design mid-process
   Even small changes can require a minor variation or amendment to the consent, which can cause delays.

How We Help You Stay on Track

At Agents of Architecture, we integrate consent planning into the overall project process.

Here’s how we work with you to reduce consent risk:

• Site feasibility, analysis, and zoning checks before design starts

• Coordinating consultants early, including a planner if required

• Designing with compliance in mind from the start

• Managing the consent submission process and liaising with council on your behalf

• Planning for realistic timelines for approvals

This proactive approach helps projects progress smoothly without unnecessary hold-ups.

Planning Ahead with Confidence

If you’re preparing for a project and unsure how building or resource consents may affect your design, we can help you plan the right pathway forward. From feasibility to coordinating documentation, we work alongside you to reduce delays and keep things moving.

Start a conversation with us, we’re here to answer your questions and guide you though the next steps with confidence.