Apply for Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) before requesting a final inspection

A Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) is the final stage of the building consent process and is a legal requirement before a building can be signed off.

In order to accept and lock in a final inspection booking, our Building Services team needs to receive your CCC application first.

It is recommended that you submit this at least 20 working days before the planned move-in date.

If you are finalising work around the summer period, please factor in additional time as there is a processing close-down period over Christmas (this is a legislative requirement). This year, it will be between 20 December and 10 January.

Do you have commercial premises opening soon? Avoid a $200,000 fine

Submit your Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) or Certificate for Public Use (CPU) application well ahead of your soft launch date.

We recommend a 20 working day buffer  minimum because our district has high demand for commercial projects. This also provides allowance for any potential delays - such as additional detail needed to finalise your application.

To ensure your CCC or CPU application process flows smoothly, please ensure that when you submit your paperwork that you have also included all of the other required materials at the same time (such as documents, information, detail and certificates).
 

Earthquake-prone buildings

As part of the Government’s Building (Earthquake-prone buildings) Amendment Act 2016 requirements for high and medium seismic risk areas, we have identified 45 buildings which may potentially be earthquake-prone.

While 45 may sound like a lot, some similar sized districts have identified far greater numbers with one in particular identifying between 1000-1500 potentially vulnerable buildings.

To ensure our list is correct and so we better understand what risk there may be to public safety in an earthquake, these building owners will be asked to provide evidence that their building has either been strengthened to at least 34% of the new building standard or that it is outside MBIE's profiling categories.

If evidence can't be supplied, a formal notice will ask for either an Initial Seismic Assessment or a Detailed Seismic Assessment.

In early 2019, QLDC will also be seeking formal feedback from the public about the list of buildings and thoroughfares which have been categorised as priority or high risk. Details will be available soon.

Do I need a building consent?

There is actually a lot of building and maintenance work which can be undertaken without building consent. This is work that is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004.

One of the most common queries our Building Services team is asked relates to bathroom renovations and refurbishments and whether they need building consents.

Generally this building work is exempt as it falls within the limitations of exemptions: 1, 12, 32, 34 and 35.

Who makes the call?

An owner must make the final call on whether the planned building work will require a building consent. This is because they best understand the scope of their intentions.

If owners want to do exempt work but also update their property file, then they can fill in the Notification of Building Work- Owner Decided Exemptions form.

(NB: this form is just saved to file and is not checked or assessed).

Swimming pool and spa pool legislation

Swimming pools must be registered with QLDC and require three yearly inspections.

One of the significant changes to the way swimming pool legislation wording was changed last year was that “fencing” has now been replaced with “barriers”.

This wording change means that owners of above-ground heated pools smaller than 5m2 (spa pools) are now allowed to use lockable lids as a barrier to prevent entry when their pool is not in use. This is allowed for pools that have already met certain other criteria.

For pools which don’t fall into the small heated pool category, this wording change means that owners now have to notify QLDC to have their pool barrier inspected. This is to ensure their pool barrier continues to meet the performance criteria it was installed to.

Connecting to our water networks

If you need a new connection to our water, wastewater or stormwater network, there a few steps you’ll need to follow.

For any new temporary or permanent connection, you will need to complete the Application for Connection to Council Services form and email this back to QLDC at engineeringapprovals@qldc.govt.nz, not to Building Services.

This is a short, four-page form that can be used for a planned building that will eventually need connections, and also for a property in its current state.

If you have multiple properties that need connections (for instance, a group of semi-detached townhouses), it is important to note that separate applications will need to be submitted because these are treated as separate connections.