Altering an existing building

How it works

When you apply for a building consent to change or renovate an existing building, we must be satisfied that, after the alteration, the entire building will comply, as nearly as is reasonably practicable, with the Building Code clauses relating to:

• means of escape from fire
• access and facilities for people with disabilities (if required).

Full list of buildings required to provide access and facilities for people with disabilities – legislation.govt.nz

If the rest of the building complies with the current Building Code

It must continue to comply after the alteration.

If the rest of the building doesn't comply with the current Building Code

You must propose upgrades to the entire building so that it complies with the requirements for means of escape from fire and, if required, access and facilities for people with disabilities.

The rules for managing building alterations are mainly contained in section 112 of the Building Act.

Managing building alterations – Building Performance

If your plans don't meet the requirements

If your plans don't meet the above requirements, we may grant the building consent anyway if you can prove that the alteration:

• will improve the building's means of escape from fire or disability access, and
• wouldn't go ahead if the building was required to comply with all the relevant provisions of the Building Code;  or
• the building will continue to comply with the relevant clauses of the Building Code to the same extent as it did before the alteration and any improvements made will outweigh the drawbacks of the existing non-compliance of the building
• We recommend providing a cost-benefit analysis or report from a suitably qualified person to demonstrate this.

Applying for your building consent

When you apply for your building consent, there's some extra information you'll need to provide.

You need to provide evidence of:

• how the new building work complies with the Building Code
• how the rest of the building will remain compliant, or be no less compliant than it already is.
• And if applicable, How any proposes upgrades will fully comply or comply as near as is reasonably practicable with the requirements, and the sacrifices and benefits of achieving full compliance

We recommend this information is provided in a report by a suitably qualified fire engineer or designer.

Applying for a building consent