Do I Need Council Consent for My Renovation or Deck?

jbuild7
Aug 7
1 min read

If you're planning a renovation, extension, or deck in Kapiti or Wellington, you might be wondering — do I need building consent?

Here's a quick guide based on NZ Building Code rules (and 20 years of dealing with them on the tools):

✅ You usually DO need consent for:

Extensions that add new floor area (e.g. bedrooms, bathrooms, second stories)
Any structural work (removing or adding walls, beams, etc.)
Bathrooms/kitchens if you're altering plumbing
Decks higher than 1.5m off the ground
Retaining walls over 1.5m or near boundaries

✅ You usually DON’T need consent for:

Low-level decks under 1.5m high
Interior fit-outs (paint, new kitchens with same plumbing layout)
Repairs/maintenance that don’t affect structure

❗ BUT — it's not always black & white

Every council (including KCDC and Wellington City) can interpret things slightly differently. If in doubt, it’s always safer to ask — or work with a builder who knows what’s needed.

💬 Still unsure?

I’m happy to offer free advice — just flick me a message or give me a call. I’ve worked with both Kapiti and Wellington councils on dozens of projects, and I can usually tell you straight away whether consent is required.