Do I need a Building Consent?

You need a building consent for:

• Structural building - additions, alterations, re-piling, demolition
• Plumbing and drainage (except the repair and maintenance of existing components)
• Relocating a building
• Installing a woodburner or air-conditioning system
• Retaining walls higher than 1.5 metres
• Fences or walls higher than 2 metres, and all swimming pool fences
• Swimming pools
• Decks, platforms or bridges more than 1 metre above ground level
• Sheds greater than 10 square metres in floor area
• Some earthworks also require a building consent (check with the council first)
• All buildings over 10 square metres
• Elevators

Examples of work that does not require a building consent:

• A patio or deck at ground level
• Garden trellises less than 2 metres high
• Installation of Kitchen cupboards
• SMALL garden ponds
• Maintenenance of your house, for example replacing spouting or a piece of weatherboard
• Building a SMALL garden shed

You may also require a building consent for retaining walls, fences or decking depending on the height. Please e-mail Building Control Administrator or phone Council on 06-857-8060 for further information.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete a building consent application form. This is also available from the Waipukurau Library and Service Centre in Kitchener Street, Waipukurau or the main Council Office at 32 Ruataniwha Street, Waipawa. You may also phone Council on 06-857-7731 and request that a form be posted to you.

Who do I call?

If you would like more information regarding your building consent please e-mail Building Control Administrator or phone on 06-857-7731.

What we need from you

Once you have completed the application you need to forward it to Council either by dropping it into our Waipukurau or Waipawa offices or by simply posting it to:

Central Hawke's Bay District Council
PO Box 127
Waipawa 4240

with a minimum deposit of $600.  (Depending on the number of inspections required, the fee may be more than the initial $600 deposit.)

The application should contain the following:

• Two copies of plans showing plan view, four elevations, and a cross section giving details of materials from foundation to roof cladding
• One extra copy of the floor plan for valuation purposes
• Two copies of the site plan (1:100)
• A building consent application form
• A deposit of $600. A copy of the Certificate of Title no more than three months old

The process

The application will be analysed by one of our building inspectors.

Any additional information will be requested or noted on the plans and specifications.

Once the application is approved and has been paid for the Building Consent will be posted out to you.

The work will be inspected at specific stages once the building work commences. For the required inspections see the Site Inspection Sheet attached to the consent.

How long will it take?

You will be notified of the result of your application within twenty working days on receipt of the full application and deposit of fees provided all relevant and correct information is enclosed with the application form.

An information guide is available here. 

A map of Council wind zones is available here.

Other Information

For an indepth Schedule of Fees and Charges 2009/2010 please click here

To view a copy of the Development Contributions Policy please click here.

2009/10 Taranak / Hawke's Bay / Manawatu edition of the NZ Homeowner's Building Guide (6mb)

NZ Homeowner's Building Guide website

A map of Council wind zones is available here.

Development levies may be payable as a result of consent being granted. Levies will be charged at the rate that is current at the time consent is applied for, and are reviewed in July of every year. For more information regarding levies please contact the Council directly.