You are here: Home >

What happens if I build without a resource consent?

If your project needs a resource consent and you start work without one, or you don’t comply with your resource consent, you’re committing an offence – and the penalties range from a $300 fine to criminal prosecution.

The penalties include:

infringement notices – these are issued for relatively minor offences such as not complying with a resource consent condition
abatement notices – these are issued when we need consent holders to stop work or take action so that they comply with the Resource Management Act 1991 or a resource consent condition
enforcement orders – these are applications from us to the Environmental Court. They require consent holders to either cease or do something so that they comply with the Resource Management Act or a resource consent condition
prosecutions – these are legal proceedings for the most serious offences under the Resource Management Act. Offenders can be fined and/or sent to prison.