When do I need a resource consent?

What activities require resource consent?

If you need a resource consent you’re likely to need a building consent too. Get in touch if you’d like some information or advice on resource consents. 

Activities that need resource consent are those classified in the District Plan as:

• controlled activities – we must grant resource consents for these activities, but we can impose conditions that relate to matters listed in the District Plan
• restricted discretionary activities – we can either grant or decline these activities, and impose conditions that relate to matters listed in the District Plan
• discretionary activities – we can either grant or decline these activities, and impose conditions in relation to any matter that helps control their potential adverse effects
• non-complying activities – we can only grant an application for a non-complying activity if its adverse effects are minor, or if it’s consistent with the District Plan’s objectives and policies. If we grant consent, we can impose conditions in relation to any matter that helps control the activity’s potential adverse effects.

The two other classifications are:

• permitted activities – these don’t need resource consent but must still meet any conditions in the District Plan. If you'd like official confirmation that your activity is permitted, you can ask us to provide you with a Certificate of Compliance. This can be useful when you're selling the property or obtaining finance. It can also protect you from future changes to the District Plan, as long as there are no changes to the activity.
• prohibited activities - you can't obtain resource consent for these activities.
• permitted boundary activities - Government changed the Resource Management Act in 2017 to provide a faster, more straightforward approval process for small scale activities where only a boundary rule is breached. These are called deemed permitted boundary activities. 
  • For detailed information take a look at:
    Information sheet 5 – Information for applicants: Deemed permitted boundary activities - on the Ministry for the Environment’s resource management process information page. (scroll down to see the information sheets).
  • To be a deemed permitted boundary activity, all neighbours with an infringed boundary must provide their written approval to the proposal. This is submitted to Council with the other necessary information. 
    Permitted boundary activity application form (PDF 37 kb) 
    Permitted boundary activity - written approval form (PDF 90 kb).

How do I find out if my activity needs a resource consent?

You can find out whether your particular activity needs a resource consent by following these steps:

1. Use the Hutt City District Plan maps, to find the property affected by your proposal:
   1. Click ‘Street index’ to find the street in which your property is located. Note the ‘sheet number’.
   2. Go back to the index page and click ‘Urban map index’ or ‘Rural map index’ (whichever applies). Go to the sheet number that covers the area of your property.
   3. Zoom in to find your property, then use the legend at the bottom of the map to identify the ‘activity area’ for that location.
2. Open the rules of the District Plan and select the relevant activity area document.

As you’ll see, the ‘Rules’ section in the activity area document specifies the activity classifications (permitted, controlled, restricted discretionary, discretionary, non-complying and prohibited). This will help you to identify the types of activity you’re allowed to undertake and the type of resource consent for which you'll need to apply.

You can also get copies of the District Plan at all Hutt City libraries and at the consents counter in the Council offices.

Need help?

If you’d like help with finding your activity area, working out your activity classification and understanding the rules, email resourceconsents@huttcity.govt.nz. We're happy to guide you through the process.