Ngā ārahitanga tekau e pā ana ki te hātepe whakaaetanga rawa Resource consent process 10-step guide

Follow our easy 10-step guide to applying for a resource consent.

You must first prepare your resource consent application, including all required information, documentation and lodgement deposit fee.

If you need help, we offer:  

• pre-application guidance meetings  
• an online enquiry service
• healthy and energy efficient home design advice
• our helpdesk on 09 301 0101.

See Plan Change 78: Intensification for information on the new housing provisions included within the Auckland Unitary Plan.

You may wish to talk to neighbours or people in your community who may be affected by your project, including Mana Whenua. You may need written approval from those affected by your project.

Your resource consent application is formally made with us. If you are having trouble at any point in the consent process, call our helpdesk on 09 301 0101.

If your application is incomplete, we will return it to you with a letter explaining what is missing. This is called a Section 88 check.

If your project is a residential development, or involves creating retail or commercial space, then development contributions may apply. An information sheet will be sent to the applicant outlining the charges that could apply.

We will assess the effects and scale of your proposed development over a period of 20 working days.

If your application is incomplete in some way, we will request further information from you. This is called a Section 92 request. The assessment period will halt while we wait for your response.

If we need more time to assess your application, we will contact you to discuss what is called a Section 37 time extension. In some cases, we will be able to extend time frames without your consent.

Your consent will either be notified (other people can have their say on your project) or non-notified.

The processing time frame is longer and the costs higher for notified consents. If your project is likely to have more than minor adverse effects on the environment, we will notify the public generally (public notification).

If your project will have minor or more than minor adverse effects on people, we will only notify those directly affected (limited notification).

We let you know our decision on your application and send an invoice for any outstanding fees and charges.

A resource consent approval will list the conditions and any relevant advice notes you need to adhere to for your consent to remain valid, and to avoid a fine.

If your application is refused, there may be an appeal and objection process you can follow.

Notify us of your intention to start work.

A Compliance Monitoring Officer will carry out routine monitoring visits once your work has started. We do this to confirm you are compliant with your conditions of consent and other relevant regulations.

Unlike building consent inspections, resource consent inspections do not need to be booked unless it's specified in the conditions.  High-risk or historically non-compliant sites may take more time to monitor and fees will reflect the extra time needed.

Monitoring visits are conducted by Compliance Monitoring Officers and can include:

• site inspections
• reviewing resource consent conditions, plans, and reports
• investigating breaches.

See Resource consent conditions and monitoring for more information.

Once you have complied with all conditions of your consent, we will confirm to you in writing that your consent is complete.

Some consents have conditions that need to be complied with on an ongoing basis and annual charges may apply for some consents (such as regional consents, like a water permit).

For those having trouble completing an online resource consent application, consult our downloadable customer guide.