Before checking whether you need a consent for your rainwater tank, there are a few things you need to think about.
Whakatūngia hoki tētahi kura wai marangai Add a rainwater tank
Add a rainwater tank
Outdoor tanks store water for use in many applications, both domestic and commercial.
In this guide
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1. What you need to know before applying for a rainwater tank consent
1. What you need to know before applying for a rainwater tank consent
Consider how you will use water from the rainwater tank
- Outdoor use — if rainwater is to be used for outdoor use only (such as watering the garden and car washing) and the rainwater tank is not connected to your internal plumbing, you may not need a building consent.
- Indoor use (non-potable) — if the rainwater is to be used for indoor non-potable (non-drinking) purposes (for example, flushing toilets and cold-water laundry), you will need a building consent and a licensed registered plumber to carry out this work.
- Drinking water — if the rainwater tank is to be used for full water supply, including drinking, dishwashing, cleaning teeth and showering, you will need a building consent and a licensed registered plumber to carry out this work.
- Commercial / business use — if the rainwater tank is to be used for commercial or business reasons (e.g. commercial carwash, concrete mixing or other general business uses) you will need to engage a design professional for your specific situation - see Free Advice before submitting a consent application.
Consider what tank size you need
To determine the best size rainwater tank to meet your needs, think about:
- the purpose of your tank (e.g. indoor or outdoor use)
- your roof size
- the number of people in your house
- your dependency on tank water (e.g. whether you are connected to the mains water supply network or not).
Use our rainwater tank size calculator but also discuss your specific requirements with tank suppliers and/or an engineer.
Where to place your tank
- Consider placing your rainwater tank near an existing downpipe, ideally down the side of your property or at the back away from street view.
- Make sure the placement of your rainwater tank does not block any windows and maintains outdoor living space.
- Wherever your rainwater tank is positioned, the overflow needs to drain to an existing onsite drainage point. This is where the rainwater from your guttering and downpipe would have gone before installing the tank.
- Tanks can also be positioned below ground, under decking and above ground.
When you may need a building consent
Positioning your rainwater tank on a supporting structure
You may need a building consent if your tank will be on top of a supporting structure instead of on the ground. The building consent process checks for health and safety requirements under the NZ Building Code, including structural stability.
Whether your proposed tank on a supporting structure needs a building consent depends on the volume of the tank in relation to the height of the structure.
You may not need a building consent for a tank on a supported structure if it meets Exemptions Guidance for Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 (PDF 8.9MB) criteria.
Altering a stormwater drain to fit a rainwater tank
If the stormwater drain will be altered to fit a rainwater tank, a licensed registered drainlayer must carry out the work and you will need a building consent, unless the drain alteration is minor.
If you have a detention tank that holds stormwater run-off before slowly releasing it into the public stormwater system or a dual-purpose detention and retention tank, you will need a building consent.
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2. Check if you need a consent to add a rainwater tank
2. Check if you need a consent to add a rainwater tank
There are two types of consent — resource consent and building consent. You may need one, both or neither of these, depending on the type of tank you have, what it is for and where it is located.
How to check if you need a consent to add a rainwater tank
This consent tool is currently unavailable due to maintenance work. In the meantime you can view our rainwater tank standards document (PDF 596KB).
Contact us on 09 301 0101.
Visit your nearest library with council services.
When a building consent may not be required for a rainwater tank
You may not need a building consent if all of the following applies to your tank:
- It is for outdoor use only (for example, watering the garden or washing a car).
- It has no mains water network top-up connection.
- It is not connected to internal plumbing.
- It is not positioned on a retaining wall.
- It doesn’t require alterations to drainage and does not change the way stormwater flows onsite.
- It doesn’t exceed 35,000 litres capacity.
- It is placed directly on the ground, not on a supporting structure.
See the Exemptions Guidance for Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 (PDF 8.9MB) for more information.
If you plan to connect your rainwater tank to your internal plumbing, you will need a building consent and a licensed registered plumber must carry out the work.
All building work must comply with the Building Code.
Non-potable water signage
All non-potable water outlets and supply pipes (e.g. a garden hose tap) must be clearly identified as not suitable for human consumption by displaying a sign that says ‘non-potable water’ or ‘not for drinking’.
You can find out more about the NZ Building Code Clause for Signs (PDF 786KB).
Resource consents for rainwater tanks
Resource consents ensure property development zone standards in the Auckland Unitary Plan are met.
Where your rainwater tank is positioned on your property, the size of the tank, and any special environmental and ecological traits of the area and the zone you live in will determine whether you need a resource consent.
An Auckland Unitary Plan Change and a Hauraki Gulf District Plan amendment decision has recently been passed. This may mean, in most cases, your rainwater tank may not require a resource consent.
See Consent requirements for rainwater tanks or email streamlinerc@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for more information.
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3. Prepare a consent application to add a rainwater tank
3. Prepare a consent application to add a rainwater tank
Provide a complete consent application
To avoid delays in processing your rainwater tank consent application, you should:
- make sure your application is complete (including all plans and technical documents)
- engage a professional (Licensed building practitioner — design), architect or engineer to prepare your application. Rainwater tank suppliers may also be helpful sources of advice.
Building consent applications
Proof of ownership
Provide evidence of ownership or rights over the property (i.e. record of title). If you are not the owner, provide authorisation to apply for a consent.
Project description
The project description must be accurate and describe all work involved in the project.
Drawings
All drawings and plans need to have:
- drawing number, date and title
- designer’s name
- address of property and legal description
- design information for supporting structure, if included
- an appropriate scale and clarity.
Freehand sketches are not accepted.
If supported by a producer statement, the plans must also be signed by the design specialist.
Lodgement checklist
Use our lodgement checklist specific to rainwater tanks to ensure you have provided all the relevant information. Incomplete applications will lead to delays.
Types of tanks
Rainwater re-use tanks: A rainwater re-use tank, also known as a rainwater retention tank, is used to store rainwater which can then be re-used for gardening, toilet use and laundry purposes. Sometimes, it is referred to as a single-purpose rain tank.
Full water supply tanks: If your proposed rainwater tank is to be used for your entire water supply (including drinking water), please contact our building consent help desk.
Resource consent applications
You will need to provide:
- a completed resource consent Form A (PDF 693KB) (partially completed for rainwater tank-only application, not including building consents)
- a site plan using GeoMaps or another aerial mapping service to show:
- the written dimensions between the proposed rainwater tank and the site boundaries and any other existing structures onsite (e.g. main dwelling, garage, etc).
- clearly labelled tank distance in relation to the property boundaries
- that your rainwater tank overflow drains to the existing onsite stormwater discharge point
- photographs of the site and tank location
- the rainwater tank dimensions (e.g. height, width, length, volume) and design of tank (e.g. slimline, fence tank, bladder tank, large round etc.).
There are also zoning considerations that may bring additional design guidelines, which may require a resource consent.
This applies if you are installing a tank in a Special Character Overlay Area, the Hauraki Gulf islands or in a Historic Heritage Overlay Area.
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4. Apply for consent to add a rainwater tank
4. Apply for consent to add a rainwater tank
Apply for a building consent application
We recommend you engage a professional to complete your application form.
Online
You will need to:
- Log in to complete the online application
- Upload the completed Lodgement Checklist - Rainwater re-use tank
- Pay by MasterCard, Visa, Online EFTPOS or Account2Account (bank transfer).
We only accept online applications for this service. If you are unable to apply digitally, visit one of our libraries with council services for assistance in making your online application.
Call us on 09 301 0101 to speak with our building and planning help desk if you have questions regarding your application.
See Free advice before submitting a consent application for more information.
Building consent application fees
The consent fee depends on the value and complexity of your project.
There are separate fees for resource and building consents.
For building consent fees, see Building control fees and charges.
Apply for a resource consent
Email streamlinerc@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your completed Form A (PDF 693KB).
What happens next
We will process your application within 10 to 20 working days.
We will let you know the decision by email or post.
If your application is not complete, we will return it to you with a request for the missing information. You may need to pay fees.
The owner/occupier of the premises must ensure the water tank is maintained in good operating order and the water is in satisfactory condition.
Find out more at Rainwater tank components and maintenance.