Building - Fees & Charges

Building

Horowhenua District Council's fees and charges for the 2023/2024 financial year, adopted by Council on 28 June 2023 as part of the Long Term Plan 2021-2041 Amendment (LTPA) and Annual Plan 2023-2024 (AP), are available below. 

All fees are stated as GST inclusive and are effective from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. Council reserves the right to review any fees and charges at any time. Please check with Council for any updates.  

Fees and Charges for 2024/2025 

Fees and charges for the 2024/2025 financial year, from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, are also available below. These fees and charges were consulted on as part of the Long Term Plan 2024-2044 (LTP) and were adopted by Council on 12 June 2024. They will be effective from 1 July 2024. 

If your building project involves time-based consenting, the cost involved will depend on a number of different factors. If you can provide us with some information about what you're intending to build, we may be able to provide you with an estimated cost. Please email your details, including a detailed description of your proposed project, to enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz

General Notes

  1. The Council is obliged under the Building Act to collect levies payable to BRANZ and Central Government.

  2. Building consent fees are split into those activities for which an initial fixed fee will apply (Section A below) and those for which a time based fee and other fees will apply (Section B below). Initial fixed fees are based on the average cost for the type of development.

  3. Inspection discounts may be available for multi-unit consents where multiple inspections of the same type are carried out at the same time. Please note however that this discount will only apply if all of the inspections pass. 

  4. Additional to these fees are any bonds that may be applicable, any structural engineering checking, vehicle crossing inspection, and any legal or consultancy cost that may be incurred by the Council during the processing of the applications.

  5. Any categories of building work not covered by a fixed initial fee in Section A will be charged based on the fees and charges outlined in Section B. New fixed initial fee categories may be created on request.

  6. If the value of work is $20,000.00 or more, BRANZ and MBIE levies may apply. See Section B for more information. These levies are additional to any initial fixed fees. 

  7. All building consent applications are subject to a Digital Capture / or Simpli portal fee and an Accreditation Levy. From 1 July 2024, all building consent applications are subject to a Simpli portal fee, a processing system fee and an Accreditation Levy. Hard copy applications will also be charged a Digital Capture Levy.

Section A: Fixed Initial Fee Building Consent Fees Payable at Lodgement  
Work Type: Building Consent Fee 2024/2025 Fees
(from 1 July 2024)
2023/2024 Fees
(from 1 July 2023)
Freestanding Fire (includes processing and one inspection)
$467.50 $452.00
Inbuilt Fire (includes processing and two inspections)
$576.00 $557.00
New Pool Barrier (Fencing) (includes processing and one inspection)
$347.50 $336.00
Minor Residential Plumbing and Drainage Work (value of work under $5,000)
(includes one and a half hours processing and two inspections)
N/A - Fee removed $578.00
Minor Residential Additions & Alterations (value of work under $10,000)
(includes one and a half hours processing and two inspections)
N/A - Fee removed $754.00
Non-habitable Accessory Building with no Plumbing & Drainage (P&D) or Firewall (eg garage, pergola, carport and pole shed)
(includes three hours processing and three inspections)
From 1 July 2024: (includes four hours processing and three inspections)
$2,114.00 $1,583.00
Non-Habitable Accessory Building with P&D and / or Firewall
(includes four hours processing and six inspections)
$2,764.00 $2,302.00
Habitable Accessory Building (eg sleepout)
(includes five hours processing and nine inspections)
$3,644.00 N/A - Change to fee
structure
Accessory Building with P&D and/or Firewall or Habitable Accessory Building (eg sleepout)
(includes four hours processing and six inspections)
N/A - Refer to new fee
categories above
$2,302.00
New Residential Dwelling (Non-Communal)
(includes eight hours processing and 13 inspections)
From 1 July 2024: New Residential Dwelling (single units)
(includes nine hours processing and 13 inspections)
$5,514.50 $4,378.00
New Residential Dwelling (multiple units) deposit (charges for processing time, inspections, planning and development engineering
checks will be charged as outlined in Section B below once the consent has been processed).
$578.50 N/A - Change
to fee structure
Residential Additions and Alterations 
(includes four hours processing and seven inspections)
From 1 July 2024: Residential Additions and/or Alterations deposit (charges for processing time, inspections, planning and development
engineering checks will be charged as outlined in Section B below once the consent has been processed).
$446.00 $2,464.00
New Yard Built Residential Dwelling
(includes four and a half hours processing and six inspections)
From 1 July 2024: (includes three hours processing and five inspections)
$2,205.00 $2,329.00
Relocated Residential Dwelling
(includes three hours processing and six inspections)
From 1 July 2024: (includes four hours processing and five inspections)
 $2,613.00 $2,174.00
New Commercial, Industrial or Building
(includes 10 hours processing and 15 inspections)
From 1 July 2024: 
New Commercial Building - COM1 Category
(includes 11 hours processing and 15 inspections)
$6,731.50 $5,078.00
New Commercial Building - COM2 & COM3 Category
(includes 11 hours processing and 15 inspections)
$7,151.50 $5,078.00

Commercial or Industrial Additions and Alterations
(includes six hours processing and five inspections)
From 1 July 2024: 
COM1 Category Additions and/or Alterations deposit (charges for processing time, inspections, planning and development engineering checks
will be charged as outlined in Section B below once the consent has been processed).

$616.50 $2,556.00
COM2 & COM3 Category Additions and/or Alterations deposit (charges for processing time, inspections, planning and development engineering checks
will be charged as outlined in Section B below once the consent has been processed). 
$616.50 Change to fee structure
New Basic Outbuilding - COM1 Category (includes four hours processing and two inspections) $2,149.50 Revised fee structure
Residential and Commercial Amendment to Building Consent deposit (charges for processing time, inspections, planning and development engineering checks will be charged as outlined in Section B below once the consent has been processed). $235.00 $2,556.00
Any works not specified above
Charged as time-based fees and other charges
– see Section B.
Charged as time-based fees and other charges
– see Section B.
 

Fixed Initial Fee Notes:

  1. Fixed initial fees include charges for administration, Code Compliance Certificate (CCC), accreditation levy, up to 35 minutes planning and development engineering checks (if applicable), and a specified number of inspections and processing time. If the proposed works require additional inspections or processing time, this will be charged as outlined in Section B below. From 1 July 2024, fixed initial fees include charges for administration, code compliance certificate, accreditation levy, Simpli portal fee, processing system fee and up to 35 minutes planning and development engineering checks (if applicable), and a specified number of inspections and processing time unless stated otherwise. If the proposed works require additional inspections or processing time, this will be charged as outlined in Section B below.
  2. Submission fees are additional to the fixed initial fee, these will depend on the method of submission. This charge is outlined in Section B.
  3. Other fees in Sections B & C may also apply, depending on the proposed works.
  4. If the value of work is $20,000.00 or more, BRANZ and MBIE levies may apply, see Section B for more information. These levies are additional to the fixed initial fee.
  5. When the consent is accepted for processing an invoice will be issued for the fixed initial fee component and other levies that apply. Government levies must be paid before consent documentation is issued to the customer and inspection bookings won’t be taken until the invoice has been paid in full.
  6. If Development Contributions apply to the proposed building works, an invoice for these will be issued once final inspection is completed or an application is received for a Code Compliance Certificate or two years after the building consent was granted – whichever occurs earlier.
  7. Once the final inspection has been passed, a reconciliation of inspections and processing time will be carried out and either a refund will apply for any inspections and processing time paid for and not completed, or an invoice will be issued for inspections and processing time completed and not covered by the fixed initial fee. Any outstanding fees or Development Contributions must be paid prior to the issuing of the CCC. From 1 July 2024, once the final inspection has been passed, a reconciliation of inspections and processing time will be carried out and either a refund will apply for any inspections paid for and not completed, or an invoice will be issued for inspections completed and not covered by the initial fixed fee. In addition to the initial invoice and reconciliation once the final inspection has been passed, interim invoices will be issued for complex projects at agreed stages. Any outstanding fees or Development Contributions must be paid prior to the issuing of the CCC.

 

Section B: Building Consent Fees 2024/2025 Fees
(from 1 July 2024)
2023/2024 Fees
(from 1 July 2023)
Non-refundable Building Consent deposit lodgement fee - unless otherwise specified in Section A above. $800.00 $800.00
Administration Fee  $156.00 per hour $150.00 per hour
Processing System Fee - new accessory buildings, residential additions and alterations, yard built dwellings & relocated dwellings
$104.50 $100.00
Processing System Fee - new residential or commercial / industrial buildings and commercial or industrial additions and alterations (excluding accessory buildings, yard built dwellings and relocated dwellings) $209.00 $200.00
Submission Fee - Simpli Portal $49.00 $47.00
Submission Fee - Simpli Quick Submission $109.00 $105.00
Submission Fee & Digital Capture Levy (hard copy applications)
$217.50 $210.00
Building Consent Processing Fees (per hour) - includes processing of amendments
See categories below $173.00
Building Consent Processing Fees (per hour) - Residential Category - includes processing of amendments $217.50 $173.00
Building Consent Processing Fees (per hour) - Commercial Category - includes processing of amendments
$225.00 $173.00
Code Compliance Certificate 
See categories below $95.00
Code Compliance Certificate - Residential $106.50 $95.00
Code Compliance Certificate - Commercial $112.50 $95.00
Code Compliance Certificate 24 month decision $41.50 $40.00
Historic Code Compliance Certificate application (apply if the building consent was issued five or more years ago) - includes the processing of an application to backdate durability and review of file - does not include inspections
$269.00 $260.00
Inspections (per inspection)
See categories below $177.00 per inspection
Inspections (per inspection) - Residential $213.00 $177.00 per inspection
Inspections (per inspection) - Commercial - COM1 Category $225.00 $177.00 per inspection
Inspections (per inspection) - Commercial - COM2 & COM3 Category $253.00 $177.00 per inspection
Accreditation Levy
See categories below $40.00
Accreditation Levy - Residential Accessory Buildings, Additions and/or Alterations, Yard Builts & Relocated Dwellings $30.00 $40.00
Accreditation Levy - New Habitable Residential Buildings $58.00 $40.00
Accreditation Levy - Commercial Outbuildings & Additions and / or Alterations $90.00 $40.00
Accreditation Levy - New Commercial or Industrial Buildings
$105.00 $40.00
Record of Title Search Fee - per title
$67.50 per title $65.00 per title
New Compliance Schedule (Specified Systems BA04)
$195.00 + $40.00 per specified system.
Charge includes Compliance Schedule statement.
$177.00 + $40.00 per specified system.
Charge includes Compliance Schedule statement.
Alteration to Existing Compliance Schedule
Time-based hourly rate Time-based hourly rate
Building Warrant of Fitness Audit / Inspection (S111 of BA04)  Time-based hourly rate Time-based hourly rate
Producer Statement Acceptance  $70.50 $68.00
On Works cost, eg Fire Service Design Review Unit, Structural Engineer  Cost plus 20% Cost plus 20%
Internal technical / professional referrals eg Development Engineer, Environmental Health Officer  Time-based hourly rate (or part thereof) Time-based hourly rate (or part thereof)
Planning Check
$220.00 per hour $182.50 per hour
Project Information Memorandum (PIM) $538.00 $520.00
Section 72 Certificate Condition (Planning)  $299.00 $289.00
Section 75 Certificate Condition (Planning)  $155.50 $150.00 per hour
Printed copies of consent documentation
 $1.00 $1.00 per page
Extension of Time Fee - commencement of works and 24 month decision $179.00 $173.00
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Levy
$1.75 per $1,000 of building work (or part thereof)
for which there is a building consent
valued at $65,000 (including GST) or more
$1.75 per $1,000 of building work (or part thereof)
for which there is a building consent
valued at $20,444 (including GST) or more
BRANZ Levy $1.00 per $1,000 of building work (or part thereof)
for which there is a building consent
valued at $20,000.00 or more
$1.00 per $1,000 of building work (or part thereof)
for which there is a building consent
valued at $20,000.00 or more

Non-Fixed Building Consent Fee Notes:

  1. When the consent is accepted for processing, an invoice will be issued for an initial deposit of $800.00. Once processing of the consent is complete, a reconciliation will be carried out of processing time and an invoice may be issued for any additional charges that aren’t covered by the initial deposit. Government levies must be paid before consent documentation is issued to the customer and inspection bookings won't be taken until the invoice has been paid in full. From 1 July, when the consent or amendment application is accepted for processing, an invoice will be issued for an initial deposit and government levies. Once processing of the consent is complete, a reconciliation will be carried out of processing time and invoice may be issued for any additional charges that aren't covered by the initial deposit. Government levies will be invoiced with the deposit and must be paid before consent documentation is issued to the customer. Inspection bookings won't be taken until the invoice has been paid in full.
  2. Once the final inspection has been passed, a reconciliation of inspections completed will be carried out and either a refund will apply for any inspections paid for and not completed, or an invoice will be issued for inspections completed and not covered by the fixed initial fee. Any outstanding fees and development contributions must be paid prior to the issuing of the CCC.
  3. If Development Contributions apply to the proposed building works, an invoice for these will be issued once final inspection is completed or an application is received for a Code Compliance Certificate or two years after the building consent was granted – whichever occurs earlier.
Section C: Other Building Fees
(These fees may be applicable to building consents or may be applied as a single charge).
2024/2025 Fees
(from 1 July 2024)
2023/2024 Fees
(from 1 July 2023)
Building Act Exempt Work Assessment (Domestic) - Lodgement Fee (plus hourly rate below)  $360.00 $165.00 lodgement fee plus time-based
hourly rate charged at $165.00
Building Act Exempt Work Assessment (Domestic) - Hourly rate plus Lodgement fee above $180.00 $165.00 lodgement fee plus time-based
hourly rate charged at $165.00
Building Act Exempt Work Assessment (Commercial) - Lodgement Fee (plus hourly rate below) $540.00 $250.00 lodgement fee plus time-based hourly rate charged at $165.00
Building Act Exempt Work Assessment (Commercial) - Hourly rate plus lodgement fee above $195.00 $250.00 lodgement fee plus time-based hourly rate charged at $165.00
Certificate of Acceptance $800.00
Application fee plus time-based hourly rate assessment fee plus inspection fees and submission levy.
$600.00
Application fee plus time-based hourly rate assessment fee plus inspection fees and submission levy.
Certificate for Public Use   $560.00 $560.00
Inspection of building work (per inspection) $180.00 $165.00
Vehicle Crossing Deposit (if no indemnity form signed) 
- Urban (as defined in District Plan)  $2,171.50 $2,100.00
- Rural (as defined in District Plan)  $1,628.50 $1,575.00
Other Fees and Charges     
Amusement Permit Set by legislation Set by legislation
Fencing Inspection Fee (per inspection) $180.00 $155.00
Building Warrant of Fitness Renewal - complete and on time $157.00 $80.00
Building Warrant of Fitness Renewal - late and / or incomplete $235.00 N/A - New fee
Periodic Swimming Pool Barrier Inspection / Re-Inspection $180.00 N/A - New fee
Application for extension of time to provide engineering assessment (EPB) $360.00 N/A - New fee
Application for exemption from requirement to carry out seismic work $360.00 N/A - New fee
Building Warrant of Fitness Audit Fee (per inspection) $180.00 Time-based hourly rate
Administrative Services
2024/2025 Fees
(from 1 July 2024)
2023/2024 Fees
(from 1 July 2023)
Receiving third party reports or other information to place on a property file at the owner’s request.(Includes recording a Building Consent Exemption on the property file). $185.00 $178.50