Skip to main content

Earthquake-prone building notices

If a building is confirmed to be earthquake-prone, the Council will issue an earthquake-prone building (EPB) notice.

EPB notice extension

The Building (Earthquake-prone Building Deadlines and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2024 extended remediation deadlines for all eligible earthquake-prone building (EPB) notices by 4 years. Updated notices and letters have now been issued to affected building owners and interested parties. Building owners are encouraged to continue with planned remediation work despite the extended timeframe.

For more detailed information about these changes, please visit the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.

Types of EPB notices

There are different types of notices according to the earthquake rating of a building, commonly referred to as a percentage of the new building standard (NBS):

  • Notice with an orange and black striped border
  • Notice with a black and white striped border
  • Notice with a solid orange border
  • Notice with an orange and white striped border
  • Notice with a solid red border.

Notices must be displayed in a prominent place or next to the building.

Where to display earthquake-prone building notices

Notice with an orange and black striped border

Notices with an orange and black striped border are for buildings with an earthquake rating of 0% to less than 20% NBS, or where no engineering assessment has been provided and the earthquake rating has not been determined.

If the building has an earthquake rating of less than 20% the risk of collapse in a moderate earthquake is approximately more than 25 times the risk of failure for buildings that are 100% NBS.

Notice with a black and white striped border

Notices with a white and black striped border are for buildings that have an earthquake rating of 20% to less than 34%.

The risk of collapse in a moderate earthquake is approximately 10–25 times the risk of failure for buildings that are 100% NBS.

Notice with a solid orange border

Notices with an orange border are for buildings that were confirmed to be earthquake-prone prior to 1 July 2017, where the earthquake rating is not known.

Notice with an orange and white striped border

Notices with an orange and white striped border are for buildings that have been granted an exemption from having to carry out seismic work.

Exemptions from having to carry out seismic work

Notice with a solid red border

Notices with a solid red border are for buildings where the Council has restricted access due to safety concerns. If you see this notice on a building you must not approach or enter the building.

Examples of EPB notices

Buildings identified before 1 July 2017

Buildings confirmed to be earthquake-prone prior to 1 July 2017 were issued notices that look different to the new versions. These notices are commonly referred to as yellow, orange or red notices because of the colour of the paper they are printed on.

Removal of EPB notices

There are various situations where we may be able to approve the removal of your earthquake-prone building (EPB) notice.

Removing your earthquake-prone building notice

Need help?

Email: buildingresilience@wcc.govt.nz 
Phone: 04 499 4444