4.2 Drainage access points
This exemption covers work to drains via a purpose-made access point and carried out by an authorised person.
Please note: The below exemption comes into force from 31 August 2020. You will still need a building consent if your project starts before this date.
This exemption covers work to drains via a purpose-made access point and carried out by an authorised person.
What is exempt
- A drain is blocked by a back-up of waste material within the drainage system after a child flushed a hand towel down the toilet. The building owner fixes the problem by opening a purpose-made access point, removing the towel, clearing the blockage and reinstating the access point.
What needs consent
- A multi-storey apartment building has a blocked drain and no access points can be found. The owner is informed that several access chambers will need to be installed for future access. As this involves more than opening and reinstating access points, and since it is not considered minor drain alterations, a building consent is required.
What the law says
33. Drainage access points
The opening and reinstatement of any purpose-made access point within a drainage system that is not a NUO system or part of a NUO system.