What You Need to Know About Resource Consents
A resource consent is when you are granted permission to do something to your land that is not permitted under your District Plan. This could include things like extending your garden, adding another story onto your house, subdividing your land or building a business. You will only be allowed to carry out these activities if they are deemed not to have a negative effect on the environment or your neighbours or community.
Using these four examples, our land surveyors thought we’d look at why a resource consent is required and what your Council will be looking for.
Extending your garden
If you want to extend your garden, there’s a good chance this can affect your community. You may have to do earthworks, the project could cause a slip, and it might be unsightly for your next-door neighbours.
Your resource application needs to show that you are doing whatever you can to mitigate and prevent these problems. For instance, you might be putting in a retaining wall to stop a slip and you might be hiring a landscaper to make the space visually attractive.
Adding a second story
While a second story might be a no-brainer for a family who wants more space and a better view, you have to consider how and if your plans are affecting your nearby homes. Are you impacting neighbours by increasing the shade on their house, blocking their view or infringing on their privacy?
Land surveyors can investigate building height boundaries as well as sunlight and shading studies to be included in your application. It’s also wise to talk to your neighbours – if you can get written approval, the council is more likely to approve your plans.
Subdividing your land
By adding more houses to your neighbourhood, you are changing the aesthetic and feel of the community, and you may be interfering with nature. In your resource consent, you need to prove that your subdivision plans will mitigate any environmental effects and be a positive contribution to your community.
Building a business
Building a new business on your land could be beneficial to your community, but it also has the potential of increasing noise pollution and traffic. Your resource consent will have to demonstrate how your plans will make a positive impact, not a negative one.
Consider your location and activity area
Whether you’re in Wellington or Levin, Porirua or the Kapiti Coast, you’ll have different District Plan requirements, so it’s important to know what exactly is expected in your location. Plus, within any District Plan, there are various activity areas, including general residential, hill residential and general recreation. Make sure the work you want to carry out is appropriate for your activity area and won’t affect any important features like heritage sites or protected trees.
When will I hear if I am approved?
Council will make a decision and inform you whether or not your resource consent has been approved after 20 working days.
Applying for a resource consent
The consent is not a rough guide – you will be expected to undertake your work exactly as stated in your application, and there may some additional conditions that Council sets out when approving your consent. You want to get it right the first time, which is why it pays to work with a professional when filling out and lodging your resource consent application. A land surveyor can help you during this process, greatly improving your odds of getting consent granted.
Looking for land surveying specialists who can help guide you through the complicated world of resource consents? Talk to Tararua Land Surveyors – from Wellington to Levin, Porirua to the Kapiti Coast, we’ve got you covered.