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Roofing Permits New Zealand: A Comprehensive Guide For Residential and Commercial Roofing
In Whanganui, securing a building consent for reroofing is typically your responsibility as the property owner. However, you can engage a licensed building practitioner (LBP) or a professional service to handle the application process on your behalf.
What is a Building Consent?
building consent is an official approval granted by your local council that confirms your proposed building work complies with the New Zealand Building Code. It’s a safeguard—ensuring that all construction, including roofing, meets legal safety, durability, and weathertightness standards.
It’s important to distinguish between a building consent and a permit. While the terms are often used interchangeably, in New Zealand, building consent is the formal legal term under the Building Act 2004. A “permit” is more of a legacy term no longer in official use.
Building consent is a legal requirement for certain types of construction work, especially if the project involves:
Structural changes to a building,
Significant alterations to roofing systems, or
Any work that could impact the building’s safety or performance.
Failing to obtain consent when it’s required can lead to fines, stop-work notices, or complications when selling or insuring your property.
Steps to Apply for a Reroofing Consent
Determine Consent Requirements: Contact the Whanganui District Council to confirm if your reroofing project requires a building consent. While some minor works may be exempt under the Building Act 2004, it’s essential to verify this with the council.
Prepare Necessary Documentation: Gather all required documents, which may include:
Detailed plans of the existing and proposed roofing.
Specifications of materials to be used.
Evidence of compliance with the New Zealand Building Code.
Submit Application: You can submit your application online through the council’s portal. If you need assistance, the council provides support at their Customer Services at 101 Guyton Street.
Await Approval: The council will process your application and inform you of their decision. Ensure you receive the necessary approvals before commencing any work.
Assistance Options
Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs): Engaging an LBP can streamline the process, as they are familiar with council requirements and can ensure compliance.
Professional Services: Companies like LDE offer comprehensive services, including preparing and submitting building consent applications. They can manage the process on your behalf, ensuring all requirements are met.
For more detailed information or assistance, consider contacting the Whanganui District Council directly or consulting with a local LBP.
When Do You Need Building Consent for Roofing?
Not all roofing work requires consent—but some certainly does. Understanding the difference can save time, money, and legal hassle.
You will likely need building consent if your project involves:
Replacing existing roofing with a different material
For example, changing from concrete tiles to long-run metal roofing may alter the building’s structure or weight distribution.Altering structural components
If the work involves touching or modifying framing, rafters, or trusses, consent is usually required.Installing a new roof
Whether it’s a home extension or a brand-new build, putting on a new roof will almost always require consent.Roofing work on commercial or multi-unit buildings
Commercial structures have more stringent requirements due to occupancy, size, and fire safety considerations.
Exemptions (When You Don’t Need Consent)
There are a few scenarios where consent is not required, typically when the work is minor or doesn’t affect the building’s structure:
Like-for-like material replacement
Swapping out old corrugated iron for new corrugated iron is generally exempt, assuming there’s no structural change involved.Basic maintenance work
Fixing a leak, replacing a few roof tiles, or repainting does not require consent.Minor alterations under Schedule 1 of the Building Act
Schedule 1 outlines specific exemptions, including certain low-risk work. However, it’s strongly advised to check with your local council first, as they make the final call.
How to Apply for a Building Consent
Applying for a building consent may seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process when broken down into steps. Here’s how to go about it:
a. Pre-application Advice
Start by contacting your local council—either in person, by phone, or via their website. Most councils offer pre-application guidance to help you determine whether your roofing project requires consent.
Getting advice early can prevent delays and help you prepare accurate documentation from the start.
b. Preparing Documentation
To lodge a successful application, you’ll need to gather several key documents:
- Site plans and roof drawings – showing both the current and proposed roof layout.
- Specifications – detailing the materials you’ll use and how the work will be done.
- Evidence of compliance – showing how your project meets the New Zealand Building Code, particularly for durability, fire resistance, and weathertightness.
c. Lodging the Application
Applications can typically be submitted:
- Online through your local council’s consenting portal (many councils use Simpli for streamlined applications), or
- Through a building consultant or Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) who handles everything on your behalf.
d. Application Fees
Building consent costs vary by region, but typical fees can range from $300 to $1,000+, depending on:
- Project size and complexity,
- Whether engineering input is required,
- Time needed for council review.
What Happens After You Apply?
Once your application is submitted, the council has up to 20 working days to process it. Here’s what happens:
The application is reviewed for compliance with the Building Code.
If any information is missing or unclear, the council may issue a Request for Further Information (RFI).
Once approved, you’ll receive your building consent, which outlines any specific conditions you must follow during the build.
Inspections and Final Sign-Off
Your project doesn’t end with the permit—it must be properly inspected.
Mandatory inspections occur at key stages, such as:
Framing and structural work
Underlay and waterproofing
Final completion
After the work passes all inspections, you can apply for a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC)—a document confirming the work was done according to the approved plans and meets NZ Building Code standards.
Without a CCC, you may face issues with insurance, resale, or council enforcement.
Ask A Questions
Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask us anything about installing a new roof or re-roofing. We will get back to your shortly.
