Can I get a refund if I withdraw my consent application?

Most councils will refund a portion of the fee if you withdraw before significant processing has occurred. However, if plan checking has started, you may only receive a partial refund or none at all. Check your council's refund policy before withdrawing. It may be better to put the consent on hold if you plan to resume later.

How long does a building consent take to process?

Councils have a statutory timeframe of 20 working days to process a building consent application once all required information has been provided. However, if the council requests further information (RFI), the clock stops until you respond. In practice, many consents take 4 to 8 weeks including RFI time. Some councils offer fast-track processing for an additional fee.

NZ Regulations

NZ Building Consent Fees — What They Cost & What Is Included

A guide to building consent fees in New Zealand. Understand application fees, inspection costs, levy calculations, and how to budget for your building project.

Building consent fees are a significant cost in any building project. Fees vary between councils and depend on the type and value of the work. Understanding what you are paying for helps you budget accurately and avoid unexpected costs.

What Building Consent Fees Cover

Building consent fees typically include: the application fee (processing and plan checking), code compliance certificate fee (final sign-off), inspection fees (each site inspection during construction), and administrative charges. Some councils bundle these into a single fee, while others charge each component separately. Inspection fees are often per-visit, so more complex projects with more inspections cost more.

Typical Fee Ranges

Fee levels vary by council and project type. As a rough guide: minor works (bathroom renovation, deck, retaining wall) cost $1,000 to $3,000 in consent fees. Residential alterations and additions cost $2,000 to $6,000. New residential dwellings cost $3,000 to $10,000. Large or complex projects can exceed $15,000. These are council fees only and do not include design, engineering, or project management costs.

BRANZ and MBIE Levies

For building work valued over $20,444 (threshold as of 2024, adjusted annually), two national levies are charged in addition to council fees: the BRANZ levy (currently $1.00 per $1,000 of project value) funds building research, and the MBIE levy (currently $1.75 per $1,000 of project value) funds the building regulatory system. These levies are collected by councils and passed on to BRANZ and MBIE.

Development Contributions

Some councils charge development contributions (DCs) or financial contributions for new dwellings or subdivisions. These fund infrastructure (roads, water, wastewater, reserves) and can be substantial — ranging from $5,000 to over $50,000 depending on the council area and project type. DCs are separate from building consent fees and are charged under the Local Government Act 2002.

Tips for Managing Consent Costs

To minimise consent costs: submit complete and accurate applications to avoid additional processing charges, respond promptly to requests for further information, schedule inspections efficiently to reduce the number of site visits, use a project manager or builder experienced with your council's processes, and check whether your council offers a pre-application meeting (often free) to discuss requirements before applying.

Key Takeaways

Consent fees range from $1,000 for minor works to $10,000+ for new builds
Fees include application, plan checking, inspections, and CCC processing
BRANZ and MBIE levies apply to projects over the annual threshold value
Development contributions for new dwellings can add $5,000 to $50,000+
Complete, accurate applications save money by avoiding re-processing charges

Frequently Asked Questions

Each council sets its own fee schedule based on their costs of operating the building consent authority. Rural councils with lower volumes and urban councils with higher complexity both face different cost pressures. Some councils cross-subsidise consent fees from rates, while others aim for full cost recovery. Always check your specific council's fee schedule.