Issuing a Building Consent

We have recently updated the information provided to you in this section of our website.  If you have any queries please contact us on (06) 366 0999 or email enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz. 

This page contains information about issuing a Building Consent, lapsed consents, requesting an extension of time and withdrawing your application.

Once your application has been assessed and we are satisfied it meets all provisions of the Building Code and all necessary fees are paid, it will be granted and a Building Consent and/or Project Information Memorandum (PIM) will be issued.

It is very important that you (and your contractors) read the Building Consent documentation to ensure you are clear about the requirements.  Your Building Consent confirmation of issue letter contains useful information about matters which you need to comply with while undertaking your building project.  The Building Consent Inspection Schedule will also contain a list of inspections required to be made by Council officers during the building process and a list of producer statements required from specialists.  The identified specialists must provide documentation of the inspections they undertake in support of their producer statement.

Work must start on your project within twelve (12) months after the date the consent was issued.  You may apply for an extension of time to start work.

Lapsed Consents

Section 52 of the Building Act 2004 requires that a Building Consent shall “lapse and be of no further effect” if work has not commenced within 12 months after the date of issue, or any further period allowed by the Building Consent Authority.

For this reason, we send out a monitoring letter at eleven (11) months advising the nominated contact person that this point is nearing and that we have no record of the work commencing.  The letter asks the contact person to either advise that work has commenced or alternatively apply for an extension to the 12 month period.  If no response is received, the consent will be given a status of “Lapsed” meaning that a new consent will be required for any future work.

Please note:  All monitoring letters (and any other correspondence) will be sent to the “First point of contact” as nominated on the building consent application.  If the contact person is changed, the applicant should inform us to ensure they receive all necessary information.

When and how to request an extension of time for a Building Consent

You can request an extension of time for a Building Consent if:

1. You are unable to commence work twelve (12) months from issue date of the Building Consent; or
2. You are unable to request a Code Compliance Certificate two (2) years after the Building Consent is granted.

An extension of time request to commence or complete work should be made in writing to the Senior Building Advisory Officer, Horowhenua District Council Building Control, Private Bag 4002, Levin 5540, and should include the following information:

• Building Consent application number
• Project location
• Progress to date
• Anticipated completion date.

Extension of time requests may incur an additional administration charge.

How to withdraw your application for a Building Consent

You may withdraw or cancel your application for Building Consent.  You may be eligible for a partial refund of fees paid.  This must be made in writing to the Senior Building Advisory Officer, Horowhenua District Council Building Control, Private Bag 4002, Levin 5540.