Every building must meet Building Code requirements to ensure it is safe, healthy and durable when used for the purpose it was designed for. If that use changes, the building may need to be altered to meet the Building Code.
Example: A residential dwelling is converted from SH (sleeping single home) into two rental residential units SR (sleeping residential). This change means more onerous requirements such as internal moisture and fire rating performance (such as fire separations between residential units) and is therefore considered a change of use.
Additional guidance:
Prior to changing the use of a building, the owner must give us (as the Territorial Authority) written notice.
You can complete this notification form to do that (pdf 381 KB).
Please email the completed form to:
with “Change of Use Notification” in the subject line. Change of Use applications will incur fees and will be charged at our current hourly rate - refer to our fees and charges schedule.
We will confirm if the proposed change of use is accepted, or if a building consent is required to comply with the Building Code requirements for the proposed new use.
Book an appointment with the Duty Building Officer to discuss your application
Call: 03 543 8400
When the Duty Building Officer confirms your appointment, they will tell you what to bring to your appointment. This meeting will help you understand the information you’ll need to supply with your building consent application.
Call 03 543 8400 to arrange an appointment with the Duty Planning Officer.
An owner has committed an offence if they change the use of a building without notifying and getting approval from the Council. If the owner also fails to get a building consent, where one is required for building work performed to change the use, they have committed a further offence.
In these instances, the Council may:
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