The best starting point is to engage one of our planners early. We can quickly assess whether your site has sufficient area, a suitable building platform, and any constraints such as ecological features, significant vegetation, or cultural considerations.

From there, we offer several pathways:

• A tailored feasibility report to identify viable options;

• Review and refinement of concept plans prepared by your architect;

• Collaboration with your existing consultants (engineers, ecologists, surveyors, etc.); or

• Full project coordination if you are starting from scratch.

Whatever stage you are at and whichever professionals you already trust, we can step in and guide your project efficiently through council processes.

If your proposal breaches the Plan’s standards, its activity status (controlled, restricted discretionary, discretionary, or non-complying) determines how Council will assess it. Prohibited activities cannot be consented.

Most medium-to-large projects and many smaller alterations require resource consent for one or more infringements.

We can help quickly:

• Early stage → Fixed-fee Site Feasibility Report showing exactly what’s permitted and what’s achievable with consent.

• Plans ready → Send them through and we’ll confirm the activity status and consent pathway.

Get in touch at any stage for clear, no-obligation advice.

Most additions and alterations are permitted, provided they comply with two key rules:

1. Building coverage (varies by zone)

   • Mixed Housing Suburban: max 40% of net site area

   • Mixed Housing Urban: max 45%

   • Terrace Housing & Apartment Buildings (THAB): max 50%

   Full zone rules are in the Auckland Unitary Plan (Council website).

2. Height in relation to boundary (recession planes) and other standards.

Resource consent is triggered if you:

• Exceed coverage or height-to-boundary rules

• Build within 1 m of a side/rear boundary

• Affect neighbouring structures

• Are in a Special Character or Significant Ecological Area

Unsure? Send us your sketch plans and address. We will confirm within 24 hours whether consent is needed.

Many accessory buildings (sleepouts, carports, sheds) can be built without resource consent, provided they meet simple criteria:

• Single-storey only

• No larger than 30 m²

• Comply with your zone’s total building coverage and height-to-boundary rules

Auckland Council’s online property portal or duty planner can verify this for you in minutes.

Consent is triggered when the building:

• Includes cooking facilities and a bathroom (it then becomes a minor dwelling)

• Is positioned less than 1 m from any boundary

• Affects services, drainage, or neighbouring properties

If you are unsure where you stand, just send us the address and a rough sketch or floor plan and we can tell you whether you can proceed consent-free or what minor adjustments to make.

Council does charge for resource consent applications and publishes its schedule of fees on its website. However, additional fees are often added during processing, so the published amount is only an indication of the upfront cost and may not reflect the final total.

As for our fees, when you engage us we will always provide a full fee proposal for your consideration before starting any work. This gives you certainty and peace of mind that our costs fit within your project budget.

Yes, resource consents generally expire after 5 years.