Guiding you through the paperwork

Compliance – it’s a fact of life, but it doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming.

In fact, we’re determined to make it as easy as we can to comply with rules regulating the setting up and running of businesses. That way, you can concentrate your time and energy where it counts – on making your business a success.

Our small business coordinator

Call 04 570 6862, email smallbusiness@huttcity.govt.nz or come into the main Council building on Laings Road and ask to talk to our small business coordinator, who will:

• explain what rules and regulations are relevant to your type of business
• explain the order in which you should go about obtaining approvals (this will keep delays to a minimum)
• act as your one point of contact as your applications are processed by different parts of Council
• offer help and guidance along the way.

Paperwork: a checklist for new businesses

You'll need to think about the following:

Where you will set up your business

The District Plan sets out what types of businesses are allowed in different areas of the city.

Converting an existing business

Your new business will need parking, sewer, power, water, stormwater and other services suitable to the business you want to run.

Health and safety requirements

Understand these before you modify an existing business or build from scratch.

Building consents

You'll need approval to carry out certain modifications to the building you own or lease – and if you are building from scratch, you may also need a resource consent.

Almost everything you build needs to meet a number of standards and regulations, such as the Building Act 2004, the Building Regulations and the New Zealand Building Code. Find out if the building work you are planning needs a building consent.

Resource consents

If you want to do something on your property which doesn’t meet the rules and standards in our District Plan, then you'll need to apply for resource consent.

Signs

The rules on signage vary according to where you set up your business.

Food licence

You need to apply for one, even if you are taking over an existing food business – you can't simply take over the existing operator’s licence.

Alcohol

There are many rules governing the serving of alcohol, and again, you can't simply take over the existing business operator’s licence.

Using pavements for business

You'll need a licence if you want to put tables and chairs on the street outside your business: this is called a street encroachment licence.

Hairdressing businesses

Premises used for this purpose must be registered.

How Council can help you

We’re here to help you to do things the right way and get all the information you need, whether you’re buying a property, building, using public land, providing a service to the public or making any changes that affect the environment or the world around you.

We can visit your site, give you advice on what you’ll need and put you touch with our team of engineers and inspectors who can work with to meet what’s needed.

Find out more in our consents, permits and licences section or get in touch with us to talk about what you need.

Success starts with a conversation

Get in touch with us and we'll be happy to talk with you about your specific business needs and discuss what you can expect during the consents process, and any permits you’ll require. We’re here to help make it happen.

You can ask us to complete a free preliminary check to ensure that you have all the necessary information to submit your application. This will minimise any delays when we process your application.

Contact our small business co-ordinator:

T: 04 570 6862
E: smallbusiness@huttcity.govt.nz