This page contains information on changing your building consent by applying for an amendment or minor variation.
If you want to change your plans before or during construction you need to let us know. What you build must match what's in your building consent otherwise you won't be able to get a code compliance certificate, and your building may not be safe to use.
Check if your change is minor or major.
Note:
A minor change is a minor modification, addition, or variation to the building consent that does not deviate significantly from the plans and specifications to which the building consent relates. If the proposed change deviates significantly, or if it will lead to a non-compliance with the district plan, the application will be rejected and you will need to apply for an amendment to the building consent. Note - Any change to building location or height requires approval from multiple departments and cannot be processed as a minor variation. We will generally process minor variations (including plaster board substitution) following the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) guidance - Background | Building Performance.
To help us process your minor variation application as quickly as possible you need to make sure all the relevant information is provided.
In some situations minor variations can be approved on site by the building inspector. However, if documentation is required to support the change, it will need to be uploaded via our online service before the change can be approved.
Note minor variation fees apply regardless of whether the change is approved or declined.
You will need to apply for a formal amendment to your original building consent if your changes are significant. Examples of amendments - Building Performance. An amendment cannot be granted for work that has already been completed. If work has been completed without our approval a certificate of acceptance may be required. Any changes to the location or height of the building on site may result in a failed site inspection and the requirement for an amendment. Even in the case of a small change, the amendment will require assessment by City Planning and Building Services, and in some circumstances may result in the need for resource consent. For this reason it is critical that site boundaries are accurately located and the building set out is accurate. Amendments applied for two years or more after the date the original building consent was granted are likely to require a new building consent unless they are necessary to allow the project to be completed, such as removing work that is over budget, or changing a foundation design due to unforeseen site conditions. Amendment applications that add new work for these older consents will not be accepted. Amendments do not extend the time to start or complete the building work; they merely document a change to the approved design in the original consent.
Amendments will be given priority if current workloads allow. Applying as soon as possible will limit delays.
Applications must clearly demonstrate what is being changed. Make sure the plans and supporting documents only relate to the amendment. If your application includes detail that doesn't relate to the amendment, please place a cloud around the area of work that is affected by the change. This will help to reduce the amount of time required to process the application.
How much you pay will depend on how long it takes to process your minor variation or amendment. Amendment fees and charges (incur the same charges and levies as a new building consent application). Minor variations are charged at the current hourly rate. Note minor variation fees apply regardless of whether the change is approved or declined.