Building consent trends into summer

November started to see the seasonal drop in building consent applications with the last of the summer building plans getting sorted for when people traditionally come to the Coromandel to do work on their properties over the summer holiday.

October was slightly up on last year for building works up to $100,000 with people leaving things a little later this year. November's projects in this range have included everything from relocations of utilities and sheds for offices, to fireplace, carport and sleepout installations.

We've had a lift in projects in the $100,000 to $500,000 range over October and November. These included commercial work, new 3 and 4 bedroom home builds, and large luxury living and dining room extensions and additions.

A few consents were still being granted in the $650,000 to $950,000 project range, featuring large 4-5 bedroom homes with dens, attached garaging, in-ground pools and other architecturally-designed features.

In addition, we've seen a reduction in lower-end consents since the government introduced more exemptions such as some garden sheds, cabins, sleepouts or repairs when certain specifications are met. The Building Act has very specific specifications under each class of exemption. So, for example, for sleepouts, exemption 3 gives a list of all the compliance clauses and requirements for the sleepout to be exempt from needing a Building Consent. (Such as not exceeding 10 square metres, no more than one storey, not containing sanitary facilities, and more.)

Download the official guidance document here.

However, even if work is exempt from needing a buildingconsent, it may need a resource consent. Especially in certain circumstances relating to the most popular kind of work at this time of year: decks.

With that in mind, we've included a simple Q&A checklist.
Decks

Q: Do I need a resource consent?

A: Maybe.

Decks over 1.5m high from existing ground level must meet the same standards as buildings under the District Plan, for example day-lighting and yard setbacks. Designs that do not meet these standards require a resource consent.

Decks in some zones, for example coastal or heritage, require a resource consent.

Earthworks under the deck do not require a resource consent. Earthworks outside the building platform must meet District Plan standards, for example gradient, face height, volume and area. Earthworks that do not meet these standards require a resource consent.

Q: Do I need a building consent?

Yes, if your deck is over 1.5m high from existing ground level.

Do I need a safety barrier?

Yes, if there’s a fall of more than 1m.

Duty planners on deck over summer

Need planning advice over summer? Call and ask to talk to one of our Duty Planners on 07 868 0200

Just over a week left for rating revaluation objections

Rating Revaluation objections all need to be in before the objection period closes at the end of business next Wednesday (24 December 2014.)

Consent clocks stop on this Saturday

The 20 working day consent clocks stop this Saturday (20 December). The following 15 days to Sunday 11 Januaryonly counts as one day. Practically, the next working day for the consent clocks is Monday 12 January 2015. This is a nation-wide formal process.

ends

© Scoop Media