Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Plain Language Law homepage
115: Code compliance requirements: change of use
or “Rules for changing how a building is used to make sure it's safe and follows the building code”

You could also call this:

“Rules for making a building last longer than originally planned”

If you own a building that has a specified intended life, you need to get written permission from your local council before you can extend its life. This applies to buildings where the building consent was given with the condition that the building must be changed by a certain date.

If you want to extend the life of your building, the local council will only give you permission if they are sure that you have made the required changes to the building. They also need to be sure that the building meets the requirements for section 112 of the Building Act.

The local council needs to have good reasons to believe these things before they can let you extend the life of your building. They can’t just take your word for it - they need to be convinced that everything is in order.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.


Next up: 116A: Code compliance requirements: subdivision

or “Rules for making sure buildings are safe and accessible when dividing up land”

Part 2 Building
Code compliance certificates, certificates of acceptance, and compliance schedules: Change of use, extension of life, and subdivision of buildings

116Code compliance requirements: extension of life

  1. The owner of a building with a specified intended life must not extend its life without the written consent of the territorial authority.

  2. This subsection applies to a building with a specified intended life if—

  3. under section 113(2), a building consent for its building or alteration was issued subject to the condition that it must be altered on or before the end of the specified intended life; or
    1. under section 39(1) of the Building Act 1991, a building consent for its building or alteration was issued subject to the condition that it shall be altered on or before the end of the specified intended life.
      1. The territorial authority must not give its consent to the extension of the life of a building to which subsection (2) applies unless satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that the building—

      2. has been altered in accordance with the condition; and
        1. complies with section 112.
          Notes
          • Section 116: replaced, on , by section 14(1) of the Building Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 31).