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Applying for a certificate of acceptance

A certificate of acceptance proves that work that was done without a consent complies with the Building Code.

When you can apply for a certificate of acceptance

You can apply for a certificate of acceptance if building work has been done urgently without a building consent under section 42 of the Building Act 2004.

You may also be able to apply if:

  • you discover building work was done (usually by a previous owner) without a building consent
  • a private building consent authority or certifier issued a building consent but was unable or refused to issue a code compliance certificate.

To get a certificate of acceptance, the work must comply with the current Building Code.

How to apply

The application assessment process takes up to 20 working days.

1. Prepare your supporting documents

You'll need to provide all the documents that would be required for a building consent application.

You'll also need to include:

  • proof of when the work was done – for example, signed or dated building contract payments
  • a statement of urgency if the work was urgent
  • architectural plans related to before and after work was completed
  • photographs
  • relevant certifications
  • specifications and product information for products used
  • PS4s from supervising engineers (if applicable)
  • expert opinion reports.

Supporting documents for a building consent application

2. Submit your application

You may need an agent to help you complete the form or documentation.

Using an agent to prepare your application

Our preference is for applications to be submitted through the Simpli portal online.

Applying online allows us to process your application faster and you will be able to track the processing of your application online. You will also save money as you will not need to supply printed plans.

Granted CoAs submitted online will be sent to customers electronically.

Apply online with Simpli

Note: There is a $51.75 (incl GST) fee for submitting an application through Simpli.

Apply online

3. Pay the fee

Fees vary if the work is urgent or non-urgent.

Urgent work

Item Fee    
Lodgement fee
All applications $171.50
Plan check and inspection fee
 Residential
1, 2 & 3		 Commercial
1 & 2
 Commercial
3
Under $10,000 $1,149.00 $1,486.50 $1,757.50
$10,001–$20,000 $1,891.00 $1,891.00 $1,891.00
$20,001–$100,000 $2,567.50 $2,567.50 $2,567.50
$100,001–$500,000 $2,702.50 $3,511.50 $3,511.50
$500,001–$1,000,000 $4,862.50 $5,402.50 $5,944.00
Over $1,000,000 $6,077.50 $6,077.50 $6,077.50
For each $500,000 or part thereof over $1,000,000 $1,284.00 $1,284.00 $1,284.00
Additional fees
Consent suspended fee (to review additional information) $271.50 per hour
Additional inspection time $271.50 per hour
MBIE levy $1.75 per $1,000 of the project value
Accreditation levy $0.50 per $1,000 of the project value

Non-urgent work

Item Fee    
Lodgement fee
All applications $495.00
Plan check and inspection fee
 Residential
1, 2 & 3		 Commercial
1 & 2
 Commercial
3
Under $10,000 $3,329.50 $4,307.00 $5,092.50
$10,001–$20,000 $5,482.00 $5,482.50 $5,482.00
$20,001–$100,000 $7,439.50 $7,439.50 $7,439.50
$100,001–$500,000 $7,831.50 $10,17.50 $10,177.50
$500,001–$1,000,000 $14,092.00 $15,659.50 $17,225.50
Over $1,000,000 $17,615.50 $17,615.50 $17,615.50
For each $500,000 or part thereof over $1,000,000 $3,851.50 $3,851.50 $1,487.63
Additional fees
Consent suspended fee (to review additional information) $407.00 per hour
Additional inspection time $407.00 per hour
MBIE levy $1.75 per $1,000 of the project value
Accreditation levy $0.50 per $1,000 of the project value

4. Application assessment

Once we've reviewed your documentation, a building inspector will contact you to arrange an inspection.

If there are parts of the work that we're unable to inspect, they'll be listed on your certificate as exclusions.

If your application is refused

Your application can be refused if you can't prove the work complies with the Building Code.

If you can't get a certificate of acceptance, you might be required to either:

  • remove or rectify the building work – we will issue you a Notice to Fix stating what needs to be done
  • get a building consent to carry out further work to meet the performance standards of the Building Code

If your application is approved

Your certificate will come with a letter that will show:

  • what we inspected
  • what we couldn't inspect
  • any building work that we couldn't verify as complying with the Building Code – this will be listed as an exclusion.

Contact us

The Building Compliance and Consents team is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

If you have a Building Compliance and Consent related query, you can submit it through our online form:

Send a query

Phone: 04 801 4311

Email: bcc@wcc.govt.nz