How to support your building consent application
Last updated: 6 December 2022
When you apply for building consent you will need to provide evidence that the proposed building work will meet the performance requirements of the Building Code. There are a number of ways you can show compliance with the Building Code.
Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods
MBIE publish Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods that provide deemed to comply pathways for complying with the Building Code.
Acceptable Solutions (AS) are step-by-step building methods (for example, the method for installing insulation in the wall of a house to comply with the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Code clause H1.
Verification Methods (VM) are calculations or test methods (for example, the calculations necessary to show how a building design complies with the structural requirements of Building Code B1 Structure).
You do not have to use the Acceptable Solutions or Verification Methods as a means of compliance however Councils must accept them for demonstrating compliance with the relevant clauses of the Building Code.
Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods
Alternative solutions
An alternative solution is where all or part of the building design differs from an Acceptable Solution or Verification Method.
You can use an alternative solution so long as you can provide evidence on how the relevant performance requirements of the Building Code are met.
You may have a building with an innovative design, be working with an existing building, or want to do something differently. If your proposal, of any part of it, is outside the building methods detailed in the Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods, you will need other evidence that your project complies with the Building Code. You need to include this evidence in your building consent application.
If you want to build a building with an innovative design, or use an innovative product or material or building system, you may need to use other evidence to show how your project complies with the Building Code. You might consider providing:
- a calculation or test result
- comparison with an Acceptable Solution or Verification Method
- an MBIE determination on a similar product or design solution
- product technical information and/or data from the manufacturer’s literature
- an appraisal or CodeMark certificate
- an expert opinion.
More information on alternative solutions:
Standards
Standards are another way to show compliance with the Building Code either on their own, or cited within an Acceptable Solution or Verification Method.
Created by Standards New Zealand committees, Standards are agreed specifications for products, processes, services, and performance.
Find out more about Standards on Standards New Zealand's website.
Producer statements and design features reports
A producer statement is a professional opinion based on sound judgment that accompanies a design, not a product warranty or guarantee of compliance. However Councils cannot insist on them and don't have to accept them.
Design features reports are reports prepared by Chartered Professional Engineers that summarise the key considerations and design methodology to achieve compliance with the Building Code
Like producer statements, design features reports can be very useful for councils and others assessing how proposed building work complies with the Building Code.
For example they can help provide an explanation of specific features such as geotechnical conditions, and design features such as structural systems and load paths, the design standards used and key design parameters and assumptions.
Product assurance and certification
You will need evidence that the products you intend to use in your building work comply with all relevant requirements of the Building Code, particularly if you are using a new or innovative product that does not fit within an Acceptable Solution or Verification Method.
More information on the options you (or the product manufacturer or supplier) might use to show compliance:
Product assurance for building products
Product certification (known as CodeMark) is a voluntary scheme under which certificates are issued to show that a building product or method meets the requirements of the Building Code.
Off-site manufacturing
Off-site manufacturing is where buildings, or parts of a building (for example, roof trusses, windows and floor framing systems) are manufactured off-site usually in a factory environment.
If your building work includes any components or systems manufactured offsite, you will need to provide evidence of how that product meets Building Code requirements. This information will be available from the manufacturer or supplier.
Some manufacturers (local and overseas) may be part of the BuiltReady certification scheme. You can find out more about BuiltReady here:
Alternative products or plans and specifications
The application must be on Form 2 - Application for building consent from the Building (Forms) Regulations 2004.
Form 2 - Application for building consent enables pre-approval of alternative products and/or plans or specifications that may now be included as part of the application process.
Building consent authorities (BCAs) need to check the proposed building work to ensure it complies with the Building Code, but an applicant won't need to make an application for an amendment or a minor variation where pre-approval has been sought in Form 2 before the building consent was granted and issued. Some examples of minor straightforward changes are provided below:
- Plasterboard: including details for the substitution of plasterboard products that are for use as wall and/or ceiling linings, with standard performance requirements. Incorporating an alternative building product in this way may be due to uncertainty about a certain products availability come the build phase of project. This type of substitution generally presents a low risk and would normally be dealt with as a minor variation managed on site, but this process allows pre-approval of the alternative building products to occur while the building consent is being processed. Adding a layer of flexibility to the process and potentially avoiding a minor variation occurring onsite as would normally be the case.
- Garage door: an applicant is undecided on the type of garage door they want to install and wishes to keep their options open as a to which type of door will be installed, such as a new generation insulated folding door or a standard steel roller-type door. Therefore, two sets of specifications and relevant door details are included as alternative plans so that either buildings product/method can be employed at the build-phase of the project.
- Minor plan or design change: an owner is undecided on the type of window they wish to install as a ‘pass through’ or ‘serving’ window from their deck to kitchen. As a result, two designs are provided in the window schedule that show a sliding and flip out option. Both windows are flashed and fitted in a similar way so the Building Code implications are limited and will be assessed at consent stage so the inspecting officer has assurance the change has already been considered in terms of its Building Code compliance.
BCAs will process alternate plans in the same manner that any other plans and specifications are dealt with. For the inspecting officer, their inspection notes should point to the alternate plan or building product being used so that there is a clear record of the minor change on the building consent file. A reference to the plan, specific details or product used would be desirable.