Request a minor variation to a building consent
When you’re building to your building consent, sometimes you may want or need to make a minor change to what’s been approved. A minor change is considered to be one of the following or similar (but not limited to):
- changing one internal lining for a similar internal lining
- changing the type of timber treatment
- minor wall bracing changes
- a change to a component (for example, fixing bracket)
- a construction change (for example, the framing method around a window when the window is changed to a door)
- changing a room's layout (for example, the position of fixtures in a bathroom or kitchen)
- changing one brand of insulation for another
- building work described in schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004.
This page outlines the process to request a minor variation, what you’ll need to do, and what Council does.
Before you start
You must request the minor variation and have it approved before you proceed with it; a minor variation can’t be approved in retrospect.
1. Owner or builder identifies need for building consent change
The owner or their builder follows these steps:
- Identify proposed change to building consent.
Note: if the variation is not considered minor, you'll need to Apply to amend a building consent - Owner advises Council in writing that they (the owner) agree to this minor variation.
Note: this could be an email to Council, or a signed note on the updated plan. - Request the building officer’s approval for the proposed change when the building officer is next on site, or prior.
Note: the work must not be started before the building officer gives their approval for the minor variation.
2. Building officer reviews proposed minor variation
The building officer follows these steps:
- Review the proposed minor variation with the owner and/or builder.
- Check that owner has provided written approval for the proposed change (for example, noted and signed the updated plan, or provided an email to Council)
- Decide if they approve the minor variation.
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If the building officer… |
then… |
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approves the minor variation |
go to step 4 |
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does not approve the minor variation |
the owner and/or builder can either:
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- Decide if any additional information is needed (for example, updated design certificate or plans).
- Document the variation in the inspection notes, including any additional information to be provided to Council and the date the information must be provided by.
Note: if this information is not received by the due date, no further inspections will be done or code compliance certificate issued until Council receives the information. - Stamp, date and initial any pages of the consent held onsite that are affected by the minor variation.
Note: the owner and/or builder can start work on the minor variation once it’s approved. - Photograph the stamped and signed pages of the consent to add to Council’s building consent file.
- Add these photos to the building consent file at Council.
- Email the inspection site notice, containing details of the minor variation, to the builder/owner.
3. Building team receives additional information
On receiving the requested additional information the building officer follows these steps:
- Check the information provided.
Note: if further analysis of the information is required this will be done through a desktop inspection, which may incur an additional inspection fee. - Update Council records that the information has been received.
- Save the information to the building consent file, to ensure Council's documentation is complete and up to date, reflecting the proposed work.
Result: this procedure ends.