How to Prepare a Building Consent Application
A simple guide to the generic building consent application process, from confirming the scope and preparing drawings to submitting the application and responding to council questions.
Quick Answer
A good building consent application gives council enough clear, organised information to understand the proposed work and assess Building Code compliance.
Confirm the Project Scope and Consent Pathway
Before preparing the application, confirm exactly what building work is being applied for and whether the project needs any early council or planning checks.
- Define the proposed work clearly: renovation, extension, deck, reclad, new dwelling, garage conversion or other work.
- Check if the work appears to need building consent or if a Schedule 1 exemption may apply.
- Identify whether a PIM, planning check, resource consent, engineering approval or Watercare or utility approval may be relevant.
- Clarify whether the application is a new consent, a revision before issue, or an amendment to an already issued consent.
The wrong pathway can waste time and money before council even starts processing the application.
Gather Property and Owner Information
A building consent application is not just drawings. Council also needs property, ownership and project information so the application can be accepted.
- Property address and legal description, including Lot and DP where available.
- Full Record of Title, including relevant consent notices or encumbrances where applicable.
- Owner details and owner authorisation if the application is submitted by an agent.
- Property file information, existing plans, photos, site records and any previous consent references.
- A clear building description that accurately summarises the work included in the application.
Prepare the Architectural Drawings
The drawings explain what is being built, where it sits on the site, how it is arranged, and the main construction details council needs to assess.
- Prepare a site plan, existing and proposed floor plans, elevations and sections.
- Include foundation, floor framing, roof, bracing, plumbing or drainage layouts where relevant.
- Show construction details, weathertightness junctions, window and door information, wet area details and other project-specific details.
- Make drawings scaled, clear, dated, numbered, titled and specific to the actual building work.
Poor drawings often create avoidable RFIs because council cannot assess what is being proposed.
Prepare Specifications and Product Information
Specifications describe the materials, systems and installation requirements behind the drawings. They help council understand how the work will comply.
- Prepare project-specific specifications, not generic notes only.
- Include product information where products are important to compliance.
- Include installation details for cladding, roofing, windows, wet areas, insulation, fixings or other relevant systems.
- Use appraisals, CodeMark certificates or technical literature where the design relies on a particular product or system.
If council cannot tell what product, system or construction method is proposed, it may ask for more information.
Coordinate Specialist Documents
Some projects require specialist input. The application should be coordinated so architectural drawings, engineering information and other reports do not contradict each other.
- Structural engineering drawings, calculations or PS1 where required.
- Drainage, stormwater, geotechnical, H1 energy, fire or acoustic reports where relevant.
- Certificate of Design Work for restricted building work where required.
- Producer statements and specialist documentation that match the actual project scope.
- Planning or resource consent information where the project relies on a separate approval.
Consultant documents should match the architectural drawings, the description of work and the version being lodged.
Quality Check and Organise the Application Package
Before lodgement, the application should be checked for completeness and organised in a logical order so council can accept and process it.
- Check the application form, owner authorisation, Record of Title, specifications and required consultant documents.
- Check that drawings are dated, numbered and clearly revised.
- Name files logically so council can find the right information quickly.
- Check that plans, reports, specifications and the project description all match each other.
Submit the Application and Pay the Deposit
Once the package is ready, the application is submitted through the council online portal or the relevant council lodgement system.
- Complete the online application and upload the drawings, specifications and supporting documents.
- Pay the required lodgement deposit or council application fee.
- Council checks whether there is enough information to accept the application for processing.
- If a key document is missing, council may reject the lodgement before processing begins.
Missing Certificates of Design Work for restricted building work can stop an application from being accepted.
Council Acceptance, Processing and RFIs
Once council accepts the application and deposit, the statutory processing clock starts. Council then reviews the plans and specifications against the Building Code.
- A building consent officer checks whether the proposed work will comply if built according to the plans and specifications.
- Council generally has 20 working days to grant or refuse the building consent after acceptance.
- If information is missing or unclear, council may issue an RFI and the clock can stop until the response is provided.
- When council is satisfied, the consent is approved and released after final fees are paid.
Construction can only begin after the building consent is granted and the approved documents are released.
Generic Building Consent Application Checklist
Every project is different, but most residential building consent applications can be grouped into four simple document categories.
Application and property documents
- Application form
- Owner authorisation if an agent applies
- Record of Title
- Building work description
- Fee or deposit payment
Plans and drawings
- Site plan
- Floor plans, elevations and sections
- Construction details
- Drainage, bracing, roof or foundation plans where relevant
- Schedules where useful
Specifications and product evidence
- Project-specific specifications
- Product data sheets
- Installation requirements
- Appraisals or certificates where relied on
- Maintenance information where relevant
Specialist documents
- Engineering information
- Certificate of Design Work
- Geotech, H1, drainage, fire or stormwater reports where required
- Producer statements where applicable
- Resource consent or approval documents if relevant
What Usually Causes Consent Delays?
Delays usually happen when council cannot see enough information to accept the application or continue processing it.
Before acceptance
- Application form incomplete
- Fee or deposit not paid
- Owner authorisation missing
- Record of Title missing or outdated
- Certificate of Design Work missing where required
During processing
- Construction details missing
- Plans and specifications conflict
- Engineer or specialist documents missing
- Building Code compliance pathway unclear
- Product information not provided
What Happens After Lodgement?
After lodgement, council first checks whether the application can be accepted. Once accepted, it moves into processing and a building consent officer reviews the package.
If the application is accepted
- The processing clock starts.
- Council reviews the documents.
- Council may approve, refuse or ask for further information.
- Final processing fees may be charged before release.
If council issues an RFI
- The processing clock can stop.
- Revised drawings or documents may be needed.
- Specialists may need to respond.
- The clock restarts after council receives the required information.
Official References
This guide is based on MBIE's building consent process guidance, the standard order of documents checklist, and council lodgement expectations for residential applications.
Common Questions
Can I prepare a building consent application myself?
Some owners can prepare simple applications themselves, but most residential building work needs clear drawings, specifications and sometimes restricted building work documentation or specialist reports. Poor documentation often creates RFIs or rejection at lodgement.
Do I need a Record of Title?
For most applications, council will expect current property ownership information and any relevant consent notices or encumbrances. Some councils also specify how recent the Record of Title must be for lodgement.
What is a Certificate of Design Work?
A Certificate of Design Work is required for restricted building work design. It identifies the design work and the licensed building practitioner or professional responsible for it.
What is the difference between lodgement and processing?
Lodgement is when the application is submitted. Processing begins after council accepts there is enough information and the required deposit or fee has been paid.
What happens if council asks for more information?
Council may issue an RFI. The missing information must be prepared and submitted before the application can continue. The processing clock can pause while council waits for the response.