A Project Information Memorandum (PIM) is a document issued by Horowhenua District Council. It provides information held by Council about the property that may affect the building work.
A PIM does not give any form of approval under the District Plan or Building Act, nor does it confirm whether the proposed building work meets the exemption conditions under Schedule 1A of the Building Act 2004. The homeowner is responsible for ensuring all exemption criteria have been met.
You can apply for a PIM for a non-consented small standalone dwelling (also known as granny flat) by registering and submitting your application through the Simpli online consent portal.
Information included in a PIM
A PIM will include information about:
- compliance with District Plan requirements
- information about natural hazards potentially affecting the site
- the presence of any hazardous contaminants known to Council
- details on stormwater and sewerage systems and current drainage positions
- the heritage status of the property
- other relevant approvals needed eg Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), New Zealand Historic Places Trust, service connections and resource consents.
When a PIM is required
A PIM must be issued before building work starts on non-consented small standalone dwellings (also known as Granny Flats) that are constructed as exempt building work under Schedule 1A of the Building Act 2004.
More information about PIMs can be found on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) website.
What you'll need to include
You'll need to include the following information with your applications:
- Site plan - showing all existing buildings on site, site access, sizes of buildings on site, distances between existing buildings and the proposed building work, setbacks from boundaries and dimensions of proposed building work
- Proposed details of stormwater and wastewater disposal
- Floor plans
- Elevations.