Under the Building Act, all building work must comply with the Building Code and all building work requires a building consent unless that work is exempt. For details of exempt work, see: https://www.building.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/projects-and-consents/building-work-consent-not-required-guidance.pdf
The Building Code covers aspects such as structural stability, fire safety, access, moisture control, durability, services and facilities, and energy efficiency. It describes the minimum performance standards buildings must meet.
A building consent is the formal approval from a Building Consent Authority (BCA) for building work to be carried out. Building work includes work related to the construction, alteration, demolition or removal of a building. Building consent should be obtained before building work starts.
BCAs receive and process building consent applications and carry out building inspections. BCAs check that building work meets the requirements of the Building Act and the Building Code and their role includes:
considering and approving building consent applications
inspecting building work at key stages during the construction
certifying that the work is in accordance with the approved plans and specifications by issuing a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC)
Once a building consent has been granted and issued, you cannot change what you have decided to build without gaining approval from the BCA.
Contact us if you would like to discuss how we can work with you to apply for a building consent for your building work.