Thinking about maintenance, alterations, demolition or construction to a new or existing building? We know and understand the laws that tell you what you can build. It's our job to give you the advice you need, to get you on your way. There are many rules you need to know about before you start, see us first - we're here to help.
For a fee of $20.00 (which includes 1 print - $5.00 for each additional print) you can obtain a property search of your site.
The search provides a list of permits/consents that have been issued for the property and the date of original construction and a file may contain the following:
- site plan
- building plans
- plumbing and drainage plans
- foundation/structural details
- floor plans and elevations.
The accuracy of these plans cannot be guaranteed as they have been supplied by a third party.
If you wish to only search the drainage plan records, there is no charge for this service. Similarly, if there are no records on the property, there is no charge.
This service is available at the Consents Counter in the Main Administration Building, 30 Laings Road, Lower Hutt during normal office hours: 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
For $300.00 you can obtain a LIM on your site which provides you with all the information that Council holds on your property.
Land Information Memorandum Applications can be made online, you can download an application form or you can ask for one at the Consents Counter.
A LIM includes
- Copies of any plans of the house, alterations/additions and code compliance certificates that are held on microfilm
- Copies of building consents and resource consents that have been issued
- District Plan information such as activity areas/zones, protected trees, historic sites, designations and significant archaeological or cultural resource areas.
- Other land information such as flooding, slipping, erosion, past contamination
- Hazards such as earthquake flooding, slipping wind zone, sea spray zone
- Rates information
- Any other information that Council thinks is relevant
LIMs can be either collected at the counter or posted to the applicant – they are completed within 10 working days (not including the day of application).
The Environmental Consents Division of Council manages matters relating to buildings as required by the Building Act 2004 and the Building Regulations 1992, and administers the New Zealand Building Code. They also provide a customer service where property owners can visit and discuss matters relating to buildings and building work.
Technical Officers are available to advise you how to fill in application forms, and what information should be included in building consent applications. There is no charge for this information.
Once an application for Building Consent is received, and if all the information required is provided, it will be completed within 20 working days (not including the day of application).
Earthquake Prone Buildings
The Earthquake Prone Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy is now in effect. Heritage building owners may be eligible to apply to the Heritage Fund for works required by this policy.
Click here for Earthquake Prone Buildings brochure.
Click here for Background to Earthquake Prone Building Classification
Woodburners
Heat Pumps
Click here for Guidelines for the installation of Heat Pumps brochure
At the same counter, customers are also able to find out from a resource consents officer, the activity area/zone in which the property is situated, and the activities, and associated rules, allowed in that area. This information is also available on our District Plan website
There is no charge for this information.
Applications for Resource Consent are required when a land use (structure or activity) does not meet the provisions of the The City of Lower Hutt District Plan . The Environmental Consents Division of Council offers advice on the requirements for applications which are dealt with as part of the consent process.
Once an application for Resource Consent is received, and if all the information required is provided, it will be completed within 20 working days (not including the day of application).
Council provides packs of forms and explanatory material for different types of Building Consent and Resource Consent applications.
In terms of the Building Act 2004 and the Resource Management Act 1991, the days during the period beginning 20 December in any year and ending 10 January the following year are excluded from the definition of "working day" and therefore will not count towards the 20 working days that we are required to issue the consent within.
Once your building consent has been issued click here to know what to do next.
We also recommend you visit the Consumer Build website where there is an explanation of the building consent process . The Consumer Build website is a partnership between the Department of Building and Housing and Consumer Online.
Email us if you have any questions in relation to a specific building proposal within Hutt City.
Council reserves the right to vary fees and charges for goods and services or amenities provided by Council under Section 12 of the Local Government Act 2002 (other fees may be prescribed by Bylaws). All fees and charges include Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Fee Structure (PDF 36kb) for Project Information Memorandum, Building Consent & Certificate of Acceptance Fee
| Removing load bearing wall (1 inspection) |
$190.00 |
| Demolition of Chimney |
$190.00 |
| Install French Doors (inside existing opening) |
$190.00 |
| Deck (with or without pergola) <20m2 |
$190.00 |
| Kick out to soffit (under 10m2) |
$190.00 |
| Kick out to soffit (over 10m2) |
$190.00 |
| Re-site dwelling (on site) |
$190.00 |
| Re-locatable dwelling (move to another site) |
$190.00 |
| Stairs from basement to upper floor (1 inspection) |
$190.00 |
| Small Drainage work up to $4,999.00 value of work |
$190.00 |
| Hot Water Cylinder exchanges and similar |
$190.00 |
| Domestic solar hot water heating panels |
no charge |
| Exemption from building work under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 1991 (includes 1 hour processing) | $100.00 |
| Application for waiver or modification of Building Consent fee plus actual cost of any professional advice sought by Council (includes half hour processing time) | $100.00 |
| All additional processing (per hour) | $115.00 |
| Issue of PIM to Building Control Authority | $100.00 |
| Plumbing Inspections | $100.00 |
| General Inspections | $100.00 |
| Marquee Licence (includes 1 hour processing) | $100.00 |
| All additional processing (per hour) | $115.00 |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Inspections - per inspection | $100.00 |
| Building over Council Drains | $200.00 |
| Section 72 - Building on land subject to natural hazards | Actual Cost |
| Section 75 - Building on 2 or more allotments | Actual Cost |
| Change of Use | $100.00 |
| Street Crossing Inspection | Actual Cost |
| Structural Checking Fee | Actual Cost |
| Water Connection/Alterations application | Actual Cost |
| Sewer/ Stormwater Connection/Disconnection | Actual Cost |
| Kerb and Channel Connections | Actual Cost |
| Backflow Prevention Device | Actual Cost |
| Sanitary Sewer TV Survey | Actual Cost |
| Stormwater TV Survey |
| Building Warrant of Fitness |
$100.00 |
| Building W.O.F. - Annual Certificate | $100.00 |
| Building W.O.F/C.S Inspection |
$115.00/hr |
| Amendment to Compliance Schedule |
$50.00 |
| Commercial Cable Car |
$100.00 |
| Residential Cable Car | $50.00 |
| Change in Tenure |
$115/hr |
Development and financial contributions are payable in relation to the subdivision and development of land. The amounts payable are described in Council’s Policy on Development and Financial Contributions contained in the Annual Plan.
| Property Search (includes 1 print) | $20.00 |
| Print per microfiche image | $5.00 |
| Certificate of Title | $15.00 |
| Interests / document e.g. transfer, easement, covenant, lease | $15.00 |