If your problem is an old building consent with no final sign-off, it may not be a standard CoA case. The issue may belong under Code Compliance Certificate support instead.
Bottom line
A CCC relates to work carried out under an issued building consent. A CoA relates to certain work completed without the required consent. Mixing them up can send you down the wrong council pathway.
Best fit
Use this pathway when the situation matches the points on the right. If the work is proposed rather than completed, start with Building Consent Services instead.
Homeowners with an old building consent but no Code Compliance Certificate.
Property-sale issues involving missing final inspections, missing producer statements or old council records.
Owners unsure whether they need CoA support or Council Support.
What may be included
Review of whether a consent already exists for the work.
Identification of missing CCC items such as inspections, producer statements, certificates or remedial records.
Clarification of when Council Support is a better route than CoA.
A practical evidence list for old consent and final sign-off issues.
Council assessment
| Issue | What to clarify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Existing consent | Whether the work had an issued building consent. | A CCC cannot be treated the same as a CoA. |
| Inspection history | Final inspection notes, failed inspections or missing inspection records. | Council may need specific evidence to close an old consent. |
| Producer statements | Engineering, drainage, fire or product statements that may be missing. | Old CCC issues often fail because close-out evidence is incomplete. |
| Remedial work | Whether work needs repair, opening up or new documentation. | Some CCC problems require technical response, not a CoA application. |
Process
We review photos, property file information, LIM notes, owner details, invoices, drawings or council correspondence.
We separate what appears to be covered by the CoA question from work that may belong on another pathway.
We identify likely as-built drawings, specialist reports, photos, opening-up or product evidence that may be needed.
We help organise the documentation pathway before you spend money on the wrong report or application.
Related resources
The guide explains the rules in plain English, while the free tool helps you check whether the issue appears suitable for a CoA pathway before spending on reports.
Related pathways
FAQs
No. Council can only assess what can reasonably be verified after the work is complete. Hidden work may need opening up, specialist reports, remedial work or may be excluded.
No. A building consent is for proposed work before construction. A Certificate of Acceptance is a limited pathway for certain completed work that was carried out without the required consent.
Send photos, your address, a short description of the work, any council letters, LIM notes, property file information, invoices, drawings or reports you already have.
Not usually as the first assumption. If a building consent exists, the issue may be about CCC close-out and council support rather than a Certificate of Acceptance.
Official references
These references help explain why evidence, scope and verification limits matter.
Send the consent number, council notes, inspection history and property file information. We can help identify the likely route.
