Role of local councils

Councils are required to provide building certification services. This includes providing general advice on building applications and issuing building permits. Many smaller councils only provide those services on a part-time or consultancy basis. Where a concession to building siting is required, the council has an obligation to consider any request to relax those requirements.

Role of building certifiers

A building certifier is responsible for assessing whether proposed building work complies with all relevant provisions of the Building Act 1975 (BA) and associated standards. The building certifier who issues a building development permit must carry out certain inspections to determine if the building work complies with the approval. Building certifiers are not permitted to design the building or carry out any of the work. Specialist advice on building applications should be sought from the appropriate design professionals.