Do I need consent to renovate a bathroom in NZ?

• Replacing sanitary fixtures like-for-like, as long as there are the same number of fixtures before and after. For example, moving or replacing a toilet, sink or vanity with similar fixtures. 

• Surface level cosmetic changes like painting or hanging a new mirror.

• Replacing a shower unit with a shower unit with a tray (off the shelf). 

• Any structural changes. For example, if you’re moving or removing a wall, altering a load bearing element, or widening doorways. 

• Altering drainage significantly, or any work involving in ground drainage such as if you were to add a new drainage connection, add new waste pipes, alter venting systems, or move a toilet, shower, or vanity across a room. 

• New tiled wet areas or walk in showers that need waterproofing. 

• Adding a new bathroom with new fixtures. For example, new showers, taps, water supply lines, and toilets. 

Do not rely on this guide to figure out whether or not you need building consent - this is general information only and every bathroom reno is unique. It’s best to speak to a bathroom renovation project manager to figure it out.

James Goren B.Eng, director of The Renovation Team, recommends checking consent requirements early in the planning process. An experienced renovation provider can assess the proposed work, identify where specialist advice or council clarification is needed, and allow for any required consent and inspections in the budget and schedule. A renovation project manager can also coordinate the process, giving homeowners one point of contact. Before engaging a provider, ask who will take responsibility for applications, inspections and completion documents, and whether these services are included in the agreed price.

Naughty, naughty! It’s a very bad idea to carry out works that require consent without getting it. You’ll risk serious fines from council, insurers may not cover you for events that occur in unconsented areas, and you may even have trouble selling your home once prospective buyers find out. Worst of all, there’ll be no impartial checks on the work you’ve done so if it’s not done right you'll risk structural problems, moisture problems, mould and worse. 

Side note: this is why it’s so important to order a LIM report when buying a property. Checking this will help you spot any unconsented works so that you can ask the vendor about them, and act accordingly. 

Building consent applications can be submitted through your local council’s website. You’ll need a few things first - including detailed plans and designs of your renovations that show how all work complies with the NZ Building code. 

Once you’ve submitted consent there will be a wait time while council officials inspect your plans. When you hear back from the council they’ll either approve, or decline and request amendments to your plans. Once you get the big tick of approval you’ll be able to start with your renovations - in most cases the council will send an inspector at key stages to check the work and make sure it’s compliant and matches the submitted plans. 

When the work’s all done you or the professionals you’ve hired will need to submit a code compliance certificate application (CCC). There’ll be a final inspection to check if your work complies, then you’ll get a CCC as confirmation (or the council will request amendments if the work isn’t compliant).

Note - even if your work doesn’t need consent it still needs to comply with the building code and meet all relevant regulations. 

The cost of building consent depends on your location, and the value of the bathroom renovation itself. If your consent requires more inspections, if the application takes longer to process, or if you need pre-application meetings with the council - expect to pay more. 

To give you an idea, here are the building consent application fees for Auckland Council: