Certificate of acceptance
A certificate of acceptance provides a limited assurance in certain circumstances that the Council has inspected un-consented building works or building works undertaken urgently, and is satisfied on reasonable grounds to the best of its knowledge that the building work complies with the New Zealand Building Regulations 1992 (Building Code).
A certificate of acceptance is limited because the Council will not issue one unless it is able to inspect and assess the building works or methods of construction and properly satisfy itself that the works comply with the Building Code.
If the Council has not had the opportunity to assess and approve an application for building consent, it may not have had the ability to inspect the work during construction to ensure it was done in accordance with a building consent and the Building Code, so it may not be able to satisfy itself that the building works are compliant.
Demonstrating Building Code compliance
If you apply for a certificate of acceptance, you may need to provide evidence (usually from a professional) to help Council assess how the work complies with the Building Code. This may include for those parts of the building work that the Council cannot inspect, such as foundations. Your application can be for all or part of a building.
A certificate of acceptance will list the building work that the Council has inspected or not inspected. Any building works that cannot be verified as complying with the Building Code will also be listed on the certificate of acceptance as exclusions. The Council may also refuse to issue a certificate of acceptance if compliance can not be demonstrated; or you may also be required to remove the building work.
Notes: A building consent cannot be issued retrospectively for building work that has already been completed and a Code Compliance Certificate cannot be issued for any building works subject to a certificate of acceptance.
It is an offence to carry out building work for which a building consent is required. The issuing of a certificate of acceptance for unauthorised building works does not limit the Council in respect of further enforcement action.
Apply for a certificate of acceptance
To apply, please download and complete the 
certificate of acceptance application form (PDF 132kb).
Find out more
When is a certificate of acceptance issued?
When is a certificate of acceptance not issued?
How can I find out if work on my property had a building consent?
What can I do with unauthorised structure work carried out after 1 July 1992?
What can I do with unauthorised work carried out before 1 July 1992?
How do I report unauthorised building work?
How do I find out if building work is exempt?
When is a certificate of acceptance issued?
A certificate of acceptance may be issued for building works already done in the following circumstances:
- Where a building consent was required for building works but not obtained
- When a building consent authority or a private building certifier is unable or refuses to issue a code compliance certificate for work carried out under a building consent
- When urgent work was carried out to protect lives or property and there was no time to get a consent
When is a certificate of acceptance not issued?
A certificate of acceptance cannot be issued if:
- The Council cannot be satisfied that the building work complies with the Building Code
- The building works were carried out before 1 July 1992
- A building consent has been granted by the Council for the building work in question
How can I find out if work on my property had a building consent?
To find out whether building consents were granted for buildings on your property please contact us. For properties located in the Auckland, North Shore and Western areas, you can also purchase a property file CD.
What can I do with unauthorised structure work carried out after 1 July 1992?
You can either:
A. Obtain a building consent to demolish the unauthorised building works; and if you wish to reconstruct the building works, obtain a building consent prior to undertaking reconstruction; or
B. Apply to the council for a Certificate of Acceptance for the unconsented building works.
What can I do with unauthorised work carried out before 1 July 1992?
Work carried out prior to the Building Act 1991 was subject to Building Bylaws and the building permit system. Whilst it is not necessary to do anything about this work, if you are concerned that the unauthorised building work does not comply with the Building Code, you can either:
A. Obtain a building consent to demolish the unauthorised building works. If you then wish to redo the building works, they can be included in the same building consent.
B. If you wish, obtain a building consent before reinstating the work in question.
How do I report unauthorised building work?
If you suspect that work is being carried out which ought to be the subject of a building consent, please contact us.
How do I find out if building work is exempt?
Changes to the 2004 Building Act in 2010 have resulted in an increased scope of building works that are exempt from requiring a building consent. This might mean that Council records do not reflect the as-built situation, but it does not mean that the work is unauthorised.
To determine whether a building consent is required refer to Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004; a copy of this Schedule can be sourced from the New Zealand Legislation website.
For further information and advice on exempt building work including whether a specific building project is exempt or not, refer to the following websites that provide further information.
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