Do I need a resource consent?

You'll definitely need a consent if you're planning on doing one of the following:

• Building in a location or a way that breaks any rule in the Tasman Resource Management Plan - for example, building over a height limit, or too close to a boundary
• Building a first dwelling in the Rural 1 or Rural 3 zone
• Subdividing a property
• Adjusting the legal boundaries of a property
• Building a second dwelling on a property
• Building in the coastal environment area
• Taking a large amount of fresh water
• Discharging contaminants to land, air or water including renewing your consent for any domestic on-site wastewater discharge
• Planning an activity that isn't permitted for the zone - for example, opening a commercial shop in a residential area.

Find out more about how to apply.

It's permitted by rules in the TRMP and any relevant national environmental standard if:

• Your planned activity meets all the rules in the Tasman Resource Management Plan and any national enviromental standards.

While you don't need this to go ahead, we can give you formal confirmation of this, if you apply for a "certifcate of compliance".  

For certificates of complaince under the RMA, we will review your plan and confirm in writing if it's a permitted activity under the TRMP.

Also when you lodge a building consent application, our planners will check it too to confirm if it needs a resource consent. If in doubt, check with our duty planners before you finalise your building consent plans. This may save you delays with your building consent applciation. 

It's a deemed permitted boundary activity if:

• Your planned activity breaks a boundary rule or rules only (for example a height in relation to boundary or yard setback rule), and
• no other other rules are involved, and 
• the infringed boundary isn't public (that is shared with land owned by the Crown or the Council), and
• you have written approval (on the correct form) from all the infringed boundary owners.

You can then apply for a "deemed permitted boundary activity".

An example is if you're building a garage that is too close to your property's side boundary, but your neighbour is okay with it, and provided their written approval.

• Link to the application form for a deemed permitted boundary activity (pdf, 139 KB)

This won't over-ride any consent notices or legal restrictions you may have on the record of title for your property. If you need help contact our duty planner.

The final word as to whether you need a resource consent sits with the Tasman Resource Management Plan.

Talking to one of our consent planners is a quick way to find out what you need to know. 

If you're not sure whether you need a consent, you can:

Talk to one of our duty planners. You can book an appointment or call us during normal office hours at all Council offices - just phone our Customer Services team and give them the address of your project site and what you want to find out. 

•  Contact us

 Search the Tasman Resource Management Plan

• Read the Tasman Resource Management Plan (TRMP)

We have summary guides for some common activities.  These are easier to access - but are summaries only.

• Check out the Tasman Resource Management Plan - Summary Guides

We always strongly encourage you to talk to us about your project first.