Cost of Building Consent NZ: Fees, Levies, Calculators, FAQs

A building consent is the formal approval from your local council that your proposed work meets the New Zealand Building Code. In simple terms, it’s permission to build. It’s not a product guarantee, but it confirms your plans, materials and methods comply before you start. The price you pay for that approval varies by council and by project size and complexity. It usually includes council application and processing fees, inspection charges, national levies (MBIE and BRANZ), and sometimes extra costs such as specialist peer reviews or re-inspections.

This guide explains what those fees are, how they’re calculated, and what you can realistically expect to pay in New Zealand. You’ll find typical ranges by project type and value, links to council fee pages and calculators (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and more), and worked examples to help you budget. We also cover when consent is required (including Schedule 1 exemptions), timeframes and how delays add cost, CoA and resource consent considerations, garage door scenarios, and practical ways to minimise fees. Let’s unpack the numbers so you can plan with confidence.

What makes up the cost of a building consent in New Zealand

The cost of building consent NZ is a bundle of council fees plus national levies, tied to your project’s size, complexity and declared value. Councils recover assessment time at specified hourly rates and charge for site inspections and the Code Compliance Certificate. Most also pass through MBIE and BRANZ levies calculated against project value (often per $1,000, where applicable). Admin tasks and any third‑party reviews can add to the final invoice.

• Application and vetting: Admin, document management and digital archiving.
• Processing time: Officer/engineer assessment charged at council hourly rates.
• Inspections: Council site visits during construction.
• Code Compliance Certificate (CCC): Final certification fee.
• National levies: MBIE building levy and BRANZ levy (value‑based; explained next).
• Optional PIM: Project Information Memorandum, if requested.
• Property information: Record of Title and file retrieval charges.
• Variations and extras: RFIs, re‑inspections, and external specialist peer reviews if required.

National levies: MBIE building levy and BRANZ levy explained

Two national levies often appear on your consent invoice: the MBIE building levy and the BRANZ levy. They’re value‑based charges added to council fees, so they’re part of the overall cost of building consent NZ. Councils collect them and pass them to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) and to BRANZ. They’re calculated per $1,000 (or part) of the declared project value and generally only apply above a minimum value threshold. Many council fee calculators include these automatically.

Levy = published rate × (declared project value ÷ 1,000)

• MBIE building levy: Helps fund the national building regulatory system and guidance. Collected with your consent and shown as a separate line item.
• BRANZ levy: Funds building research and industry education. Calculated the same way and may not apply to very small‑value projects.

Council fees: application, processing, inspections and Code Compliance Certificate

Council charges are the core of the cost of building consent NZ, and they’re largely time- and service-based. You’ll usually pay an application or lodgement fee up-front, then a balance on issue based on the hours spent assessing your plans and the number of site inspections booked. Processing is charged at the council’s specified hourly rates (including engineers and specialists where needed), and the Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) is a separate closing fee. Some councils take a deposit and reconcile at grant.

• Application/lodgement: Admin, vetting and document set‑up to start processing.
• Processing/assessment: Charged at specified hourly rates for officers and specialists.
• Inspections: Per-visit fees for booked site checks during the build.
• Code Compliance Certificate (CCC): Final review, records update and certification charge.

Keeping drawings complete and coordinated reduces assessment hours and, in turn, your total council fees.

Other potential charges: PIMs, RFIs, re-inspections and external specialist reviews

Beyond standard council fees and levies, a few extras can nudge up the final cost of building consent NZ. Most are avoidable or at least manageable with good planning. Think of them as “contingency” items that arise from information gaps, site issues, or specialist design matters.

• PIM (Project Information Memorandum): Optional and charged; can surface site constraints early to prevent redesign later.
• RFIs (Requests for Information): Each RFI adds officer time at hourly rates and can extend timeframes.
• Re-inspections: If work isn’t ready or fails, you’ll pay a new inspection fee and rebook.
• External specialist reviews: Councils may require third‑party peer reviews (e.g., structural, geotechnical, fire); costs are passed through to you, along with any council admin time.

Typical consent cost ranges by project type and value

There isn’t a single “typical” price for the cost of building consent NZ, but clear patterns track project value and complexity. Councils publish banded examples: Whanganui District Council shows estimated building consent fees for multi‑unit residential starting around $3,300 for $0–$200,000 projects, rising to $6,500+ above $1,000,001. Christchurch City Council also lists category‑based starting fees for residential minor work, accessory buildings and new dwellings. Treat these as indications only—processing hours, inspection counts and value‑based levies will set your final invoice.

• Minor alterations/accessory buildings: Lower fees, fewer inspections; levies may not apply below thresholds.
• Single new dwelling: Mid‑range; full inspection schedule; MBIE and BRANZ levies usually apply.
• Commercial/semi‑industrial: Higher; more inspections and possible specialist reviews.
• Multi‑unit developments: Highest; staged inspections and potential peer reviews add cost.

How to estimate your building consent fees (calculators and worked examples)

The fastest way to estimate the cost of building consent NZ is to start with your council’s tools, then layer in value-based levies. Wellington City Council provides online calculators to estimate fees before processing; other councils publish fee schedules and hourly rates (for example, Auckland recovers costs at specified hourly rates). Most also add MBIE and BRANZ levies per $1,000 of declared value when thresholds are met.

1. Confirm project value: The declared value drives national levies.
2. Use your council’s calculator/schedule: Add application, processing (hourly), inspections and CCC.
3. Add national levies: MBIE and BRANZ are calculated per $1,000 (or part) of value, if applicable.
4. Include admin/extras: Record of Title searches, document handling, and file retrieval if listed.
5. Add contingency: RFIs, re-inspections or specialist reviews if your design is complex.

Worked example (plug-in template)

Estimated total = (Application + Processing + Inspections + CCC + Admin) + MBIE levy + BRANZ levy + Pass‑through reviews (if required)

• Source each line: From your council calculator or fees page.
• Levies: Apply per $1,000 of value when thresholds are met.
• Refine: Update once inspection counts and processing hours are clearer.

Council fee calculators and pages: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and more

To get a reliable local estimate of the cost of building consent NZ, start with your council’s fees pages and calculators. Auckland Council publishes building control fees with cost‑recovery hourly rates for engineers and specialists. Wellington City Council provides fee calculators that estimate what you’ll pay before processing begins. Christchurch City Council lists category‑based fees and a guide to charges. Together, these pages show the building consent fees you’re likely to be invoiced for.

• Palmerston North (PNCC): Explains industry levies calculated per $1,000 of project value.
• Hutt City: Lists building consent charges and payment options.
• Whanganui: Publishes estimated fee bands by project value.
• Hastings: Outlines hourly rate‑based invoicing when consent is granted.

When and how you pay: deposits, progress invoices and refunds

Most councils stage payments so you’re never paying for more than what’s been done. That helps you track the real cost of building consent NZ as it evolves with processing time and inspections.

• Deposit/lodgement: An up‑front fee to start vetting; some councils collect industry levies at this point.
• Progress/before issue: A reconciliation invoice when consent is ready to grant (common), or interim invoices if extra processing/peer review is needed.
• During construction: Re‑inspections and any additional inspections are invoiced as booked.
• CCC/final reconciliation: Final admin plus adjustments—overpayments are refunded; underpayments are billed.
• Payment methods: Typically bank transfer, debit/credit card, or in person at council offices.

Consent timeframes and how delays add cost

Time isn’t just schedule—it’s money. The longer your consent takes to process or your build takes to inspect and close out, the higher the cost of building consent NZ tends to be. Delays usually come from incomplete documentation, design changes mid‑process, site readiness issues at inspections, or the need for external specialist reviews. Each of these adds officer hours, more inspections, and extra admin that show up on your invoice.

• RFIs extend processing: Every Request for Information adds assessment time charged at council hourly rates.
• Re-inspections stack up: If work isn’t ready or fails, you pay another inspection fee and rebook.
• Design changes trigger amendments: Rework can mean additional processing time and pass‑through peer review costs.
• Stalled builds delay CCC: The longer it takes to reach Code Compliance Certificate, the more likely extra admin and inspection time will be needed—raising the final cost of building consent NZ.

Do you need consent? Schedule 1 exemptions and the minor works pathway

Before you budget for the cost of building consent NZ, confirm whether your project is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act. Many low‑risk activities are exempt when they meet strict conditions, but all exempt work must still comply with the Building Code and any planning or utility rules. If your work does need consent yet is small in scope, many councils run a “minor works” pathway with lighter documentation and lower fees—though value‑based levies can still apply if thresholds are met.

• Check Schedule 1 early: Identify whether your scope qualifies and what conditions apply.
• Confirm site constraints: Overlays, hazards or services can remove an exemption.
• Ask for written confirmation: Some councils offer exemption determinations or letters—useful for records.
• Keep good evidence: Plans, photos and producer statements help prove Code compliance.
• Explore minor works options: If consent is required, ask your council which category fits and the likely fees to sharpen your cost of building consent NZ estimate.

Garage doors and building consent: when it’s required and likely fees

For garage doors, consent hinges on scope. Like‑for‑like replacement in the same opening with no structural changes may be exempt under Schedule 1 (confirm with your council). Creating a new opening, changing the width/height, or altering lintels generally requires consent. In those cases, the cost of building consent NZ is usually in the lower “minor works/accessory” bands: you’re mostly paying application/admin, limited processing time, one or two inspections, and CCC. Value‑based levies may not apply if your project value sits below the levy thresholds.

• Replacement, same opening, no structure: Often exempt—check Schedule 1.
• Structural changes or new opening: Consent likely required.
• New builds/garages: Door is covered within the main building consent.

Resource consent versus building consent: do you need both and what it costs

Building consent checks compliance with the Building Code; resource consent deals with planning rules in your district plan (site use, bulk and location, heritage, hazards). They are separate processes, with separate invoices. You might need both, one, or neither, depending on your design and site. Councils publish different fee schedules for each, and resource consent costs vary with complexity and whether the application is notified. Budget for planning fees in addition to the cost of building consent NZ, and note that building consent processing can be paused until any required resource consent is granted.

• When you may need resource consent: Breaches of height-to-boundary, setbacks or site coverage.
• Overlays and heritage: Character/heritage areas, coastal or hazard zones.
• Earthworks/retaining: Volume thresholds, works near boundaries or waterways.
• Access and effects: New vehicle crossings, parking, traffic or signage impacts.

Certificate of Acceptance (CoA): fees, when it applies and risks

A Certificate of Acceptance is the council pathway for assessing work that has been done without a building consent, or where getting consent first wasn’t practical. It’s a fresh assessment of the as‑built work, not a shortcut. Fees are typically time‑based like standard building services: application/admin, processing at council hourly rates, and inspections, with possible pass‑through costs for specialist reports, testing, as‑built drawings or producer statements. Because officers must investigate what’s already built, a CoA can end up costing more overall than a comparable consent started the right way—both in direct fees and delay-related costs that affect the total cost of building consent NZ outcomes on your project.

• Not guaranteed: Council may decline or require changes/opening-up to verify compliance.
• Extra disruption: Invasive inspections and rework are common.
• More documents: You may need engineer reports and as‑built plans.
• Knock‑on effects: Finance, insurance or settlement can be held up until resolved.

If you’re weighing options, budget for CoA as a premium pathway and, wherever possible, obtain consent up front—it’s usually cheaper and faster in the total cost of building consent NZ equation.

Ways to minimise your building consent costs

You can’t avoid mandatory levies, but you can control time‑based charges. The biggest savings come from fewer officer hours and fewer repeat inspections. Get complete documents in early and run a tidy, ready‑for‑inspection site. These practical moves typically trim the cost of building consent NZ without cutting corners.

• Coordinate your design: Consistent, code‑referenced drawings reduce assessment time.
• Use pre‑application advice: Resolve tricky site or planning issues up front.
• Confirm if consent is needed: Apply Schedule 1 exemptions where they genuinely fit.
• Submit a complete pack: Record of Title, specs, calculations, and an indexed file set.
• Provide producer statements (PS1/PS4): Streamlines review; peer review may still be required.
• Respond to RFIs once, comprehensively: Fewer back‑and‑forth cycles, fewer billable hours.
• Book inspections only when ready: Combine where allowed to avoid re‑inspections.

What to include with your application to avoid extra fees

Submitting a complete, coordinated pack is the easiest way to avoid RFIs, repeat inspections and extra officer hours—keeping the cost of building consent NZ in check. Use an indexed PDF set, consistent scales, and a realistic declared project value so MBIE/BRANZ levies calculate correctly first time. This upfront effort trims your final invoice.

• Cover letter/scope: Include a clear scope and a single RFI contact.
• Complete drawings: Site, floor, elevations, sections, and key details.
• Record of Title: Current, showing easements/covenants.
• Specifications & product data: Data sheets and install instructions for systems.
• Structural calculations & PS1: Geotech report if relevant.
• Compliance proof: H1 schedule, E2 risk, fire/accessibility (as applicable).
• Garage doors: Lintel sizing, fixings, wind zone, and opener/specs.

Why fees vary between councils and regions

There’s no single tariff because councils must recover their actual costs. The cost of building consent NZ can shift based on each council’s hourly rates, systems, and local conditions. While national MBIE and BRANZ levies are value‑based and consistent in principle, council application, processing, inspection and CCC charges vary with time spent and service models.

• Hourly rates and recovery policies: Some publish specified officer/engineer rates and bill by time.
• Processing systems and QA: Digital portals, QA steps and oversight affect assessment hours.
• Project complexity and overlays: More checks, RFIs and inspections mean more billable time.
• Inspection logistics: Rural travel, scheduling and re‑inspection policies add cost.
• Demand and capacity: High workloads can increase RFIs and elapsed time.
• Specialist peer reviews: Pass‑through fees differ by availability and scope.

Understanding these drivers helps you forecast the true cost of building consent NZ for your site.

Glossary of common building consent fees and terms

Here’s a quick glossary to make council invoices and calculators easier to read. Use it as a cross-check when budgeting the cost of building consent NZ so you know what each line means and which items are time-based versus value-based.

• Application/lodgement fee: Up-front admin to accept.
• Processing (hourly rates): Officer time assessing plans.
• Inspections: Per-visit site checks during build.
• Code Compliance Certificate (CCC): Final certification on completion.
• MBIE building levy: National, value-based regulatory levy.
• BRANZ levy: National, value-based research levy.
• Request for Information (RFI): Council asks for missing detail.

Frequently asked questions

Here are quick, plain‑English answers to the questions homeowners and small builders ask most about the cost of building consent NZ. Use them as a checklist before you lodge and when you budget.

• What drives the cost most? Declared project value (for national levies), design complexity, the number of inspections, and council officer time charged at specified hourly rates.
• Do MBIE and BRANZ levies apply to every job? No. They generally apply above minimum value thresholds and are calculated per $1,000 (or part) of the declared value. Most council calculators add them automatically.
• How can I estimate my fees? Start with your council’s calculator or fees page (for example, Wellington has calculators; Auckland and Christchurch publish schedules). Add application, processing, inspections, CCC, then MBIE/BRANZ levies and a small contingency.
• When do I pay? Typically a lodgement deposit, a reconciliation before consent is issued, any re‑inspection fees during the build, and a final CCC invoice. Councils reconcile over/under payments.
• Do I need a Record of Title? Yes—many councils require it with every application; some offer a paid title search as part of their building services.

Key takeaways and next steps

The cost of building consent in NZ is a mix of council time-based fees (application, processing, inspections, CCC) plus national MBIE and BRANZ levies calculated per $1,000 of declared value when thresholds apply. Your final invoice depends on project value, complexity, and how cleanly you document and deliver the work.

• Confirm consent or exemption: Check Schedule 1 early to avoid avoidable fees.
• Set a realistic value: So levies calculate correctly first time.
• Use council tools: Fee pages/calculators give your best local estimate.
• Submit a complete pack: Current title, coordinated drawings, specs, calculations, PS1 where needed.
• Plan inspections: Book only when ready to avoid re-inspections.
• Add contingency: For RFIs or specialist reviews on complex jobs.
• For garage doors: Like-for-like may be exempt; structural changes usually need consent.

Planning a new or replacement garage door? Source NZ‑made doors and accessories online at DoorsNZ and keep your project moving.