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Rotorua Lakes Council will close midday Friday 20 Dec 2024 and reopen Monday 6 Jan 2025. Building services & LIMs are on hold until 10 Jan 2025. Visit our Property & Building section for more information.

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Minor Building Work

If you are planning to build something new or make changes to an existing structure, there are certain guidelines you must adhere to and consents you may need.

You can read about these guidelines on the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) website. Here you will find details about important compliance information and helpful services, education and information for anyone involved in building activities. MBIE is the Crown agency that manages the building control system throughout New Zealand.

Visit the Building section of the MBIE website

Fences on your property

As a property owner, you can choose to enter into an agreement or covenant about fencing on your property. This agreement can be registered against your land title and will bind any subsequent owners for up to 12 years, safeguarding against future misunderstandings.

The Fencing Act 1978 (legislation.govt.nz) contains most of the law relating to fences.

In general:

  • All fences must be on the boundary line
  • Fences over 2.0m in height require resource consent. Discuss this with a duty planner
  • Fences over 2.5m high require a building consent
  • Adjoining owners share the cost of putting up or repairing a fence (unless one owner damages the fence, in which case they must pay for the repairs)
  • You can only obtain a compulsory contribution to the cost of a fence if a fencing notice is served on the adjoining owner under the Fencing Act
  • Subdividing owners in a new subdivision exempt themselves from contribution to the cost of a fence
  • Under the Property Law Act 1952, you can apply to the district courts for an order to remove or alter a fence if that fence is injuriously affecting your land or unduly obstructing your view
  • You should check your district and regional plans for any provisions relating to fence heights, colours and placement.
Open the MBIE PDF guide to building work that doesn't need a consent

Swimming pools

To apply for a swimming pool building consent, please complete:

Provide two site plans showing the location of the swimming pool in relation to boundaries, details on the fencing and backflow prevention (where applicable), and, if there are any doors or windows opening directly onto the swimming pool area, how these will be secured, as well as any other information required.

For a full overview of the compliance requirements for swimming pools, visit the page below on our website.

Swimming pool compliance

Foreshore structures (including lakes)

For building work to foreshore structures including jetties, ramps, boatsheds and moorings, please refer to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for handling these consents.

Visit the lake structure consents page - boprc.govt.nz

Garden sheds

If you are planning to site a garden shed or similar small building on your property, please refer to the Garden Shed Fact Sheet below for specific guidelines.

Neighbour consent to site accessory buildings close to legal boundaries is almost always a condition of a building and resource consent. A neighbour has the right to refuse to give consent.

Download the Garden Shed fact sheet - PDF, 113KB

Marquees

To apply for a marquee building consent, please complete:

Make two copies of all information (including specifications, plans, relevant manufacturer's details etc.) to accompany your application.

Download the Marquee fact sheet - PDF, 111KB

Sewers

To apply for a sewer building consent, please complete:

Provide two site plans showing the location of the new piping to sewer connection, pipe sizes and gradient.

Solar and gas

To apply for a solar or gas building consent, please complete:

Make two copies of all information (including specifications, plans, relevant manufacturer's details etc.) to accompany your application.

All building forms and factsheets
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