How do I know whether I'll need a resource consent?
Whether you'll need a resource consent, and what type of consent you'll need, depends on the type of activity you want to do, and how it's classified in your local district or regional plan. Every council plan is different, so it's important that you don't assume that just because you did not need a consent in one locality, you don't need a consent in another. There are also likely to be differences between areas within a district/city or region.
Before you start any activity that might affect your neighbours, your wider community, or your environment, contact your local council or check out their website.
Council staff will tell you whether you need to apply for a resource consent. They will also tell you if the activity is prohibited, which means that it is expressly not allowed and you can't even apply for a resource consent.
Activities that need a resource consent are classified as controlled, restricted discretionary, discretionary and non-complying.
The council has to grant a resource consent for a controlled activity (with a couple of exceptions), but can refuse to grant a resource consent for a restricted discretionary, discretionary or non-complying activity.
There are five types of resource consent:
- land-use consent
- subdivision consent
- water permit
- discharge permit
- coastal permit.
If you do need to apply for a resource consent, council staff will also tell you:
- how your activity is classified in the plan, and what kind of resource consent you need to apply for
- whether you need to apply to both the district/city and the regional council for a resource consent (or they will refer you to check with the other council)
- what information you need to supply in support of your application
- how long the process is likely to take, and how much the council is likely to charge.
The amount of information the council requires will depend on the activity proposed and the kind of resource consent you need.
Council staff might tell you whether or not you will need to seek approval from affected persons if you are to avoid your application being notified. And, if so, who those persons are. The council will confirm who these affected persons are once the application is lodged, and the initial assessment is complete.
The first step is always to contact the council to discuss the activity you want to do. If you're unsure whether your activity will affect your neighbours, community or environment, check with the council; don't just go ahead.
Once you've learned you need a resource consent, the council process has three main stages.
