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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Building Act 2004

Building - Code compliance certificates, certificates of acceptance, and compliance schedules - Certificates of acceptance

98: Processing application for certificate of acceptance

You could also call this:

“A city council has 20 days to say yes or no to a special building paper, but can ask for more information if needed.”

When you apply for a certificate of acceptance, the territorial authority has 20 working days to make a decision. They can either give you the certificate or say no to your application.

If the territorial authority needs more information about your application, they can ask you for it during those 20 working days. When they do this, the 20-day countdown stops until you give them the information they asked for. They can only ask for information that is reasonable and related to your application.

Remember, the territorial authority is the local government body in your area that deals with building matters. They’re the ones who handle these certificates of acceptance.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM306857.

Topics:
Housing and property > Home safety and repairs
Government and voting > Local councils
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97: How to apply for certificate of acceptance, or

“You need to fill out a special form, provide plans, pay fees, and include other important information when asking for a certificate that says your building work is okay.”

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99: Issue of certificate of acceptance, or

“A building official gives you a special paper when they check and approve work on your house.”

Part 2 Building
Code compliance certificates, certificates of acceptance, and compliance schedules: Certificates of acceptance

98Processing application for certificate of acceptance

  1. A territorial authority must, within 20 working days after receiving an application for a certificate of acceptance,—

  2. grant the application; or
    1. refuse the application.

      1. A territorial authority may, within the period specified in subsection (1), require further reasonable information in respect of the application, and, if it does so, the period is suspended until it receives the information.