Bottom line
Building consent checks the work. Resource consent checks planning effects.
Building consent is about Building Code compliance. Resource consent is about land use, zoning, overlays, yards, height, site coverage and environmental effects.
Resource consent vs building consent in New Zealand.
Building consent and resource consent answer different questions. Many projects need one, both or neither depending on the work and the site.
Pathway checksSchedule 1 awarePlanning risk reviewFixed-fee next step
Best fit
Who this page is for.
Use this pathway when the project is still early and the right approval path is not yet confirmed.
Owners confused between Building Code approval and planning approval.
Projects affected by zoning, overlays, yards, height or site coverage.
Additions, minor dwellings, commercial changes or site-sensitive projects.
Homeowners who want to know which approval comes first.
What may be included
The checks that shape the next step.
Plain-English comparison of building consent and resource consent.
District plan and zoning risk prompts.
Auckland Unitary Plan considerations where relevant.
Direction to Building Consent Services once the building pathway is confirmed.
Advice on whether planner or specialist input may be needed.
Project-specific feasibility report route.
Assessment focus
What usually changes the answer.
| Issue | What to clarify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Building Code | Structure, fire, moisture, durability, access, services and safety. | These matters point toward building consent. |
| Planning rules | Zoning, overlays, yards, height, site coverage and land use. | These matters point toward resource consent risk. |
| Sequence | Which approval should be resolved first. | Planning constraints can reshape design before building consent. |
| Site context | Hazards, heritage, coastal, flood, infrastructure or special character constraints. | Site-specific rules can change the answer. |
Process
From uncertainty to a clearer path.
1
Send the project
Share the address, project description, photos, sketches, property file notes or council comments.
2
Check the pathway
We identify whether the project may be exempt, consented, planning-triggered or better handled elsewhere.
3
Map the risk
We look for Schedule 1 limits, zoning constraints, overlays, site risks and consultant requirements.
4
Choose the next step
You receive a plain-English summary and can move into fixed-fee work if the project proceeds.
Related tools
Start with the project-specific report.
The free report turns a general question into a project-specific pathway summary before you commit to design or council applications.
FAQs
Questions homeowners ask first.
Can a project need both consents?+
Yes. A project can need building consent, resource consent, both, or neither depending on the work, site and planning rules.
Should I check feasibility before builder quotes?+
Yes, especially if you are unsure whether the project is exempt, needs consent, triggers planning issues or requires consultants. Early clarity can prevent inaccurate pricing and redesign.
What happens after feasibility?+
The next step may be fixed-fee design, building consent documentation, council support, CoA support, planning advice or a specialist report depending on the pathway.
Is feasibility the same as full design?+
No. Feasibility identifies the likely pathway, risks and next step. Full design and consent documentation come after the scope is clearer.
Official references
Useful official sources.
These references help explain why early pathway checks matter.
Not sure which consent applies?
Send the address and project description so the building and planning pathway can be checked early.