Earthquake-prone Buildings

Wellington City Gallery has been strengthened

The Council is working to increase the ability of existing buildings in Wellington to withstand a moderate earthquake.

Earthquake-prone Buildings Policy

The Council's Earthquake-prone Buildings Policy outlines how earthquake-prone buildings are identified and the time frames property owners are given to either strengthen or demolish the building. It applies to all building types except residential, unless the residential building is two or more storeys high and contains three or more household units.

Changes to the policy in 2009 allow the Council to negotiate and reach agreement with building owners for targeting particular areas of concern or to strengthen the building over time.

It also allows building owners with more than two earthquake-prone buildings to negotiate time frames for strengthening buildings.

Background to the Earthquake-prone Buildings Policy (665Kb PDF)

Identifying Earthquake-prone Buildings

Council engineers will assess buildings around Wellington in an area-by-area basis. Once a building has been assessed, the owners will be advised whether the building is earthquake-prone.

This information will also be included in a Land Information Memorandum (LIM) or Project Information Memorandum (PIM) for the property. Buildings constructed after 1976 are unlikely to be earthquake-prone and the Council is not assessing these buildings.

Related Links

• Earthquake-prone Buildings - Department of Building and Housing website
• Earthquake-prone Buildings Policy
• LIM & Property Reports

Department Details:
Building Consents & Licensing Services