Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Building Act 2004

Building - Building work—Project information memoranda and building consents - Building consents

52: Lapse of building consent

You could also call this:

“A building project must start within a year, or the permission becomes invalid”

If you get a building consent, you need to start the building work within 12 months from when you got it. If you don’t start within this time, your building consent will expire and won’t be valid anymore. However, if you need more time, you can ask the building consent authority for an extension. They might give you extra time to start your building work.

Remember, the building consent authority is the group that gave you permission to build. If you’re not sure when your 12 months are up or if you need more time, it’s a good idea to talk to them. They’re there to help you understand and follow the rules for building.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM306388.

Topics:
Housing and property > Home safety and repairs
Government and voting > Local councils
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51: Issue of building consent, or

“When you get permission to build something, you receive a special document with important information.”

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53: Applicant for building consent liable to pay levy, or

“When you get permission to build something, you have to pay some money to help make sure buildings are safe.”

Part 2 Building
Building work—Project information memoranda and building consents: Building consents

52Lapse of building consent

  1. A building consent lapses and is of no effect if the building work to which it relates does not commence within—

  2. 12 months after the date of issue of the building consent; or
    1. any further period that the building consent authority may allow.

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