Apply for a building consent

When you apply for a building consent you need to supply detailed information, documentation and pay a fee based on the value of the project.

Stages

When you need building consent

Work requiring a building consent includes:

most building work that includes new buildings, additions, alterations, accessory buildings (sheds), and repiling
plumbing and drainage
heating (solid fuel fireplaces), ventilation and air conditioning systems
site works for a building
retaining walls with any portion higher than 1.5 metres, or retaining walls with a surcharge such as a building or driveway near the top
fences higher than 2.5 metres and any swimming pool fence
swimming pools and large tanks
decks with any part more than 1.5 metres above ground level.

Want to know about getting a building consent?

Our Guide to getting a building consent (Form 558) [PDF 1.79 MB] is essential reading for anyone planning a building project or applying for a consent. An application pack is available on request.

Schedule 1 of the Building Act lists building work that does not require a building consent.

Steps

Once you've prepared for your building project, these are the steps to apply for your building consent:

1. Agent/Designer submits application.

2. Council assesses application for completeness.
Note: this is not a technical check.

3a. Council asks for more information.

3b. Agent/Designer provides requested information.

4. Council accepts application for lodgement.

Note: you can also apply for a PIM with your building consent if you wish.

Online applications

All building consent applications are being moved online, using our online building consent portal, SIMPLI. You’ll need an email address to open one of these online accounts.

This online system will allow you to submit, manage, and track your application whenever you want, from the first piece of information to the issue of the last certificate.

Apply for a building consent online with SIMPLI

You can upload your application online yourself for free at any time.

If you have an agent lodging your application, as the owner you’ll be added to the account and will be able to:

track your application
receive copies of further information requests we send to your agent.

If you need help with the online process, contact us and we’ll help set up your online account. From 1 November 2023 there’ll be a charge if Council staff need to manually load information for your consent application. If you need help due to accessibility reasons, please contact us for assistance.

You can make a building consent application online, by post, or hand deliver a hard copy to one of our service centres or at the Council building in Paraparaumu. For help with applying for a building consent online, see Simpli's Help section and their Navigating the portal video.

Our Building team can help you with a range of building needs and requirements – if you have any questions, give them a call.

Producer statements

There are a number of ways you can support your consent application. One way is to include a producer statement, which is a professional opinion based on sound judgement that accompanies a design. Note that this is not a product warranty or guarantee of compliance.

Exemptions

While Schedule 1 of the Building Act provides for some exemptions from building consent, all work must still comply with other legislation, including:

Building Code
Resource Management Act 1991
Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 1976
Electricity Act 1992
Health Act 1956
relevant bylaws.

When you apply for a building consent, you must decide whether or not the work that is exempt is to be included as part of the consent application. If it is not included, that work will not be inspected or receive a Code Compliance Certificate.

Building consent fees

Building consent fees are set by the Kāpiti Coast District Council under the Building Act. They are reviewed annually.

BRANZ levies apply to all work valued at $20,000 or more and are set at $1.00 per $1,000 or part. MBIE levies apply to all work valued at $20,444 or more and are set at $1.75 per $1,000 or part. Where the consent is staged the payable levy is assessed on the total project value.

A fee is charged for processing Amendments to a Building Consent. If the amendment alters the value of a project as a whole, there may also be an adjustment to the BRANZ and MBIE levies.

View the building consents fee schedule.