Why we have building and planning rules

​What we are responsible for

Auckland Council are responsible for ensuring all significant building work is safe, durable, sustainable, and poses no danger to the health and well-being of property owners and users.

Where the rules come from

Building and planning rules come from four key sources:

The Resource Management Act (RMA) - requires us to make sure that environmental effects of activities are managed well.

Auckland Unitary Plan - The Auckland Unitary Plan gives our region its planning framework, and outlines what you can do (as a permitted activity) and what you need a resource consent approval for.

Building Act - The Building Act 2004 sets out the rules for the construction, alteration, demolition and maintenance of new and existing buildings in New Zealand.

Building Code - The Building Code states how a building must perform in its intended use, rather than describing how the building must be designed and constructed.