Changes to the Building Act

PIM Requirement

In an amendment to the Building Act 2004, it is no longer mandatory to apply for a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) when applying for a building consent. The amendment took effect from 1 February 2010. In building consent application forms, you can now indicate whether you wish to apply for a PIM.

Exemptions from Building Consent Requirements

House construction site

Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 sets out the types of building work that do not require a building consent.

Changes, effective from 16 October 2008, have been made to Schedule 1 to extend the types of building projects that do not require building consent. Work must still comply with the Building Code and other legislation.

• Guide to Exemptions from Building Consent Requirements (464Kb PDF)
• Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 - Exempt Building Work (37Kb PDF)

Before starting work on building projects, owners and builders should read Schedule 1 in full to assess whether or not they need consent.

New Exemptions

The following are examples of projects that no longer require building consent:

• Removing or altering a wall that is not structural or bracing
• Awnings, pergolas or a verandah over a deck
• Installing or replacing windows, exterior doors or roof windows (as long as structural elements are not changed)
• Altering homes to improve disability access (excludes wet area accessible showers)
• Internal shop or office fit out where changes do not affect specified systems or means of escape from fire
• Altering existing plumbing (includes minor drainage alterations but excludes new connections)
• Erecting tents and marquees (size and use restrictions apply).

Compliance

While Schedule 1 of the Building Act provides for some exemptions from building consent, all work must still comply with other legislation, including:

• Building Code
• Resource Management Act 1991
• Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 1976
• Electricity Act 1992
• Health Act 1956
• relevant bylaws.

When you apply for a building consent, you must decide whether or not the work that is exempt is to be included as part of the consent application. If it is not included, that work will not be inspected or receive a Code Compliance Certificate.

Related Links

• Building Consent - Forms and Checksheets
• Building Law and Compliance - Department of Building and Housing website
• Consumer Build website
• Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy
• LIM and Property Reports

Department Details:
Building Consents & Licensing Services