Regulations live for minor variations and customisations

These new and amended building regulations have been made to clarify the definition of a 'minor variation' and formally create a definition of a 'minor customisation' for MultiProof approvals. This has been done to increase flexibility in the wider building consent system and the MultiProof scheme.

Building consent authorities will still need to ensure the building work will comply with the Building Code, but people won’t need to make an application for an amendment to the building consent for most minor, straightforward product or design changes. If the consent has a MultiProof approval, the consent should be processed within ten working days.

Building consent forms have been modified to enable pre-approval of alternative products and/or plans or specifications.  

Why the Government is streamlining the building consent process

The existing processes for making simple and low-risk changes to building consents can add unnecessary time and cost to a build.

The Government's key priority for New Zealand's building and construction sector is to make it easier for Kiwis to build affordable homes. This will be achieved by reducing regulatory barriers and streamlining the building consent system.

Minor variation

A 'minor variation' is a small change to the building design, after a building consent has been issued, that doesn't affect Building Code compliance. A minor variation could include substituting a comparable product, like swapping out one brand of internal lining for a different brand of similar internal lining. 

Minor customisation

The term 'minor customisation' has also been defined in regulation – making it easier and faster to process a consent with a MultiProof approval. A 'minor customisation' is a change to the building design of a MultiProof approval at the time a building consent is applied for. A minor customisation could be putting a window where a door was planned in the initial design or mirroring the layout of a room to maximise sunlight or to work with a specific landscape.

Building consent authorities will still assess changes to ensure the building will comply with the Building Code, but people won't need to submit an amended plan to a building consent for minor, straightforward product or design changes. 

New regulations

Building (Minor Customisations) Regulations 2024 - legislation.govt.nz

Building (Forms) Amendment Regulations 2024 - legislation.govt.nz

Building (Minor Variations) Amendment Regulations 2024 - legislation.govt.nz