A Project Information Memorandum can help reveal council-held information about land, services, hazards and constraints before you commit to detailed documentation.
Bottom line
Use a PIM where property information, services, hazards or council records may materially affect the next building consent step. Use feasibility advice when the main issue is zoning, overlays or resource consent risk.
Best fit
Use this pathway when the situation matches the points on the right. If the work is unconsented and already built, start with Certificate of Acceptance instead.
Owners who need council-held property information before preparing a consent package.
Projects where services, hazards, drainage or site records may affect design decisions.
Homeowners unsure what council already knows about the property.
Early-stage projects that need council information but are not ready for full consent documentation.
What may be included
Project description and supporting information for a PIM application.
Questions about site constraints, services, hazards and council-held information.
Review of PIM results in relation to a future consent pathway.
Next-step advice after council identifies issues or additional approvals.
Connection to feasibility, planning or building consent support where needed.
A clearer document path before committing to larger design costs.
Council focus
| Issue | What to clarify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Property information | Council-held information about the site and existing services. | This can affect design, consent and construction planning. |
| Hazards | Flooding, instability, drainage, coastal, wind or other site matters. | Hazards can change what evidence or design responses are needed. |
| Future consent | How the PIM information affects the next application. | A PIM should inform decisions, not sit separately from the project path. |
| Planning overlap | Whether zoning, overlays or resource consent matters are also present. | Some issues need feasibility or planning advice alongside the PIM. |
Process
We review the council email, RFI, inspection record, CCC letter, PIM issue or formal notice.
We clarify whether the issue belongs under Council Support, Building Consent, CoA, Feasibility or another route.
We outline what drawings, records, certificates, reports or consultant input are likely needed.
We help organise the information so council can see what has been addressed and where each answer sits.
Related resources
The guide explains the consent-to-CCC pathway, while the project tools help you check whether the issue belongs under council support, building consent, CoA or feasibility.
Related pathways
FAQs
No. A PIM is connected to proposed building work and council-held information that may affect a project. A LIM is a broader Land Information Memorandum commonly used for property due diligence.
Not always. A PIM is most useful when council-held information could materially affect the next design or consent step.
The level of involvement depends on the project and the council process. We can help prepare the technical response, supporting documents and questions, and advise on the most sensible communication pathway.
Send the council email, RFI, inspection record, CCC letter, PIM question or formal notice, plus any approved drawings, photos and project background you already have.
No. Council Support is technical and documentation-focused. Legal advice may be needed where enforcement, liability, prosecution, sale, tenancy or insurance issues are involved.
Official references
These references help explain the process boundaries behind council support issues.
Send the property address and project idea so we can help identify whether a PIM is the right step.
