Why you need a resource consent

Find out what a resource consent is and why you might need one.

A resource consent is a written decision from Hutt City Council about something that may affect the environment or your community.

You'll need one if you're planning to subdivide land or undertake any activity on a site that doesn't comply with the rules and standards of our District Plan.

A resource consent comes with a very important responsibility: it requires you to consider the effects of your resource use on the environment and your community, and to reduce any effects that are significant.

You need a resource consent if you're doing something that affects the environment and community. It focuses on the use of resources and doesn't look at how buildings and structures are constructed, but rather the affect they have. That said, if you're changing the overall form or character of an existing building you'll need a resource consent. An example of this could be an addition to an existing house.

A resource consent can relate to things like the type of activity (e.g. a house or new business), building heights,  appearance, building location and even noise. If you're changing the overall form or character of an existing building you'll need a resource consent. An example of this could be an addition to an existing house.

Activities that require resource consent may include:

  • cutting down trees or vegetation
  • subdividing or developing land
  • earthworks
  • water use
  • disposal of contaminants into water, soil or air
  • using coastal areas
  • some retail, commercial or industrial activities.

You need a building consent if you’re constructing, altering, demolishing or removing a building. Building work that requires building consent may include:

  • removal of load-bearing walls
  • the construction of a new house
  • retaining walls over 1.5 meters high
  • swimming pools or fences
  • decking over 1 meter
  • solar panel installation
  • demolition or relocation work
  • plumbing and drainage work
  • additions or alterations
  • fences over 2.5 meters high

Note: For some activities you may also need both.