The Build Hamilton website answers all your questions about the building process and the regulations associated with it. This site is for anyone in the local building industry or involved in a building project large or small. It is provided by the Building Control Unit at Hamilton City Council and aims to provide you with quick and easy access to information regarding your building and consents requirements. The site also acts as an information portal to other New Zealand websites providing information about the building process.
The Hamilton City Council Building Control Unit is here to assist you and provide a reliable and efficient service. Our experienced staff are highly trained and aim to provide the information and guidlines needed, in order for your building project to succeed and meet all the regulations of the Building Code 2004.
Build Hamilton explains the consent process, answers your questions and provides you with regulation definitions, checklists, fees and charges, information about upcoming events and links to other helpful sites.
Extension of Time on Building Consents
If you have received a letter from us regarding applying for your Code Compliance Certificate and wish to apply for an extension of time please click here for the application form.
Latest news:
Sustainable Building
Did you know that Hamilton City Council have an Eco-design Advisor. Ian Mayes is available to give free advice when planning a new dwelling or renovating an existing home.
You can find out more information on sustainable building and contact details for Ian by clicking here.
River Stability Management Strategy
Please click here for information.
Producer Statements
Do you issue Producer Statements?
If so here is the Waikato Region's new process for approval and registration.
Click here for an application form
Waikato Building Consent Group - Review
The five councils of the Waikato Building Consent Group (Waikato, Hamilton, Waipa, Matamata Piako and Otorohanga) are currently reviewing the group strategic plan and would like to develop strategies that better assist our clients through the building consent process. In order to get this right, we need input from the Building Industry in our region. We need to know
What doesn't work for you and why?
What building consent issues you have in dealing with any of the 5 councils?
Any ideas you have about how we could improve the service provided in the areas of:
Building consent application process
Plan processing
Inspections
CCC
Information provided by council
Communication with council
What services could we provide that would be of value to you?
Please send your ideas to the Cluster manager:
Elizabeth Goodwin
Waikato Building Consents Manager
Environmental Services
Hamilton City Council
Ground Floor Council Building Garden Place
Private Bag 3010 Hamilton 3240
DDI 07 838 6586
Fax 07 838 6950
Email elizabeth.goodwin@hcc.govt.nz
New Building Consent Exemptions (Building Act 2004)
For guidance please click here alternatively you could phone 0800 242 243 and speak directly to the Department of Building and Housing
NZ Homeowner's Building Guide
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty/Taupo Edition 2008/09 - click here
Damp Proofing Membranes (DPM) Reminder
Please ensure that a DPM is placed under the bottom plates of all internal walls in contact with concrete floors to avoid moisture transfer into timber frames.
The use of untreated, kiln-dried internal framing is prevalent and untreated framing must be protected from moisture to avoid the risk of decay. Untreated kiln-dried framing exposed to moisture for any length of time and in direct contact with a wet concrete floor (or one that is in the process of drying out) can decay quite quickly
Solar Water Heaters
Hamilton City Council is one of only three Councils nationwide to begin offering free consents for solar water heaters. Ian Mayes (Council's Eco Design Advisor) will be arranging a meeting for those involved in the industry.
Purlins - timber treatment requirements
Council requires that purlins used in monopitch roofs and roofs without access (eg with under a 10 degree pitch) are treated to H3.1. If you are in any doubt of the requirements please contact us on 07 838 6677 or email us.
Newsletter
The Build Hamilton newsletter is produced bi-monthly and is a great way to keep up-to-date with what's happening in the Building Unit at Council. It also provides a quick overview of any significant changes in legislation affecting the industry.
To check our latest newsletter follow the link Build Hamilton Newsletter
Alternatively, if you're in the building industry, or undertaking a building project, click on the link to send us your e-mail details and we'll send the newsletter directly to your email account.
Urban Design
Hamilton city is a signatory to the NZ Urban Design Protocol in 2005 a government initiative. By using quality urban design we increase our opportunity of becoming:
- A competitive place that thrives economically and facilitates creativity and innovation
- A liveable place that provides a choice of housing, work and lifestyle options
- An environmentally responsible place that manages all aspects of the environment sustainably
- An inclusive place that offers opportunities for all citizens
- A distinctive place that has a strong identity and sense of place
- A well-governed place that has a shared vision and sense of direction
For more information and to download Vista - Hamilton's Urban Design Guide, go to
City Scope.
Recent press releases
More stringent requirements for building consents and inspections
Council will be increasing the number of inspections and work it carries out in relation to the issuing of building consents in response to the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) accreditation requirements. Read More
Other important notices
Earthquake-prone, Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy 2006
The Building Act 2004 requires all territorial authorities in New Zealand to adopt a policy on earthquake-prone, dangerous and insanitary buildings by 31 May 2006.Hamilton City Council has prepared a proposed policy and invites feedback from the public from Monday 6 March through to Thursday 6 April 2006. For more information go to
EQ policy
Notice to designers and builders - truss plans, producer statements and geotechnical reports
Dear Customer
As you will be aware councils across New Zealand are currently being assessed for Building Consent Authority accreditation through the Department of Building and Housing (DBH); accreditation must be achieved by 30 June 2008. DBH has contracted IANZ to audit and assess how councils carry out the building consent and inspection processes, from the client's initial application for consent, to the issuing of a Code Compliance Certificate. As a result of the Waikato Building Consent Group's recent audit, IANZ has signalled some significant improvement requirements in respect of certain processes - these are explained below.
How will this affect you?
- A higher standard for building consent applications will be required before they are accepted for processing.
- All building consent applications will need to show full designs and relevant Producer Statements. This includes Truss plans, Geotechnical investigations, and the subsequent designs for foundations, storm water disposal, on site wastewater disposal and filling under floor slabs. Letters of intent will no longer be acceptable.
- Designers will need to present their drawings in construction order.
What does this mean for you?
- Councils will have far more robust processes in place for assessing building consent applications and for recording decisions relating to assessment and inspections.
- Building Consent Authorities must assess applications against comprehensive checklists that record all decisions made and the reasons for these decisions in reference to the Building Code; this will add to the time it takes to assess each application.
IANZ has given us a short time frame to implement the new changes and as a result from 1 November 2007, councils belonging to the Waikato Building Consent Group will not be able to accept building consent applications that do not provide full designs and relevant Producer Statements.
If you have any questions about this please contact your local council Building Control Unit.
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