·         building consent number

·         site address

·         name & phone number of contact person who will be on site at the time of the   inspection

·         date and time the inspection is required

·         type of inspection, I.e.; plumbing, drainage, foundation, pre-slab, preline, etc

·         details of all Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP) involved in the work being inspected (the Council should be notified who the LBP is before the work is started)

For an inspection to take place the approved building consent documentation is required to be on site.

 Any safety equipment required for the inspection such as scaffolding or ladders is expected to be provided on site at the time of the inspection. 

 The inspector may refuse to visit or carry out an inspection if he deems the site unsafe.

 Note - If we arrive on site and the documentation is not available we will not undertake the inspection. We will however; bill you for our visit.

During processing of the building consent application we will determine what inspections will be necessary to enable us to be satisfied on reasonable grounds that compliance will be achieved. Each inspection will be identified along with the requirements for that particular inspection. A list of inspections will be attached to your building consent. 

Some of the inspections that may be required include the following:

• Siting/Footings
• Underslab – Plumbing & Drainage
• Foundations
• Blockfill
• Pre Pour Slab/Sub Floor
• Stormwater/Foulwater Drainage
• Pre Wrap
• Pre-Roof
• Pre Line Plumbing
• Pre Line Framing
• Pre Cladding/Cavity
• Half High Veneer
• Solid Plaster/Textured Coatings
• Post Line/Pre Stop
• Wet Area waterproofing (interior)
• Solid Fuel Heater
• Effluent System
• Swimming Pool Fence
• Final – Building/Plumbing

Inspections by Others

Sometimes it is necessary for specialists to conduct inspections in addition to the inspections carried out by Council. If a specialist inspection is necessary you will generally be advised before the consent is granted.

 Typically these types of inspections may involve having a geotechnical engineer confirm ground stability, or having an aspect of specific structural design checked by a registered engineer.

 Please ensure you read inspection requirements and are familiar with them before commencing work.  

During an inspection

Council requires a suitable representative of the owner (I.e. builder, plumber etc.) on site for all inspections.

A copy of the council approved plans, including approved amendments to the plans, must be also be on site at all times

The Building Official carrying out the inspection will compare the work being inspected to what was consented in the plans and specifications. If everything is as it was consented and complies with the building code then the inspection should be approved. If the work is found not to comply then the inspection may be failed requiring additional inspections the review the remedial work. 

Result of the inspection -

How do I know if the inspection has been passed?

 At the conclusion of each inspection the outcome will be recorded on the inspection record sheet which will be signed by the Inspector and the owner’s representative on site.  The list of inspections attached to your building consent will be signed off by the inspector as each inspection is carried out. 

 What if the inspection has not been approved? 

If an inspection is failed, the work to be rectified will be recorded on a site inspection notice a copy of which will be provided to the owner’s representative on site. Any issues or deficiencies will be recorded on the site inspection sheet, and a Site Inspection Notice will be issued. A copy of the Site Inspection Notice will be placed on file along with the inspection notes.  A re-inspection will be required.

You may be charged for a re-inspection which will need to be paid before the Code Compliance Certificate can be issued.

If the work is not remedied to the satisfaction of the building inspector, it is likely that a notice to fix will be issued.

What is a notice to fix?

 A notice to fix is a formal notice issued by Council advising that certain works have not been carried out in accordance with the Building Code.

If a notice to fix is issued, you are required to address the issues identified within a prescribed timeframe to prevent further action being taken.

Enforcement of notices to fix is undertaken by the Territorial Authority (Council).

Do I need a practical completion inspection?

Yes, all building consents require a practical completion inspection (final). 

Your consented building work should be completed within 2 years of the date that the building consent was granted. 

If you cannot complete the work within this timeframe it is essential that you contact us to discuss possible ramifications.

 If we do not receive an application for a code compliance certificate within 2 years of granting a building consent then we will automatically make the decision to refuse issue of code compliance certificate until we are notified that you have achieved practical completion. An extension of time may be granted by the Council on an individual basis.

When all work has been completed in accordance with the building consent a code compliance certificate may be issued.

What is a code compliance certificate?

 A code compliance certificate is Council’s verification that all works undertaken comply with the approved building consent. It is an important document and should be retained for future reference.

 It is mandatory to apply for a code compliance certificate after all work has been completed.

Council has 20 working days to decide whether to issue or to refuse to issue a code compliance certificate.

 Some additional documentation that may be required prior to issue of a code compliance certificate includes the following:

• Application for code compliance certificate
• Energy Certificate – Electrical
• Energy Certificate – Gas
• Drainage Plan
• Fire Alarm Certificate of Compliance
• Test reports for backflow
• ECAN Resource Consent – effluent
• Producer Statement – Sprinkler System Certificate
• Emergency Lighting
• Test Certifier Location Report
• Construction Statement – Plastering/Render
• Waterproofing Membrane Installer Statement
• PS3 /Construction Review
• Test/Certificate for Oil Fired Storage Tank
• Surveyor’s Certificate
• Spa Pool Exemption
• Certificate of Public Use
• Compaction Certificate

Buildings that have not had a Code Compliance Certificate issued may have difficulty obtaining insurance or final payments from lenders.

It is not legal for a developer to sell or allow a purchaser to take possession of a residential building without a Code Compliance Certificate, unless an "Agreement between residential developer and purchaser" {see Form 1 of the Building (Forms) Regulations 2004} has been made. (See Section 364 of the Building Act 2004).

A person who commits an offence under section 364 is liable to a fine of up to $200,000. This fine applies to each household unit sold without a code compliance certificate.

Learn more about

Building Services

Building Consents

PIMS applications

Dangerous, Insanitary and Earthquake Prone Building Policy

Swimming Pool Fences