Glossary of Terms: |

As Built Drainage Plan:
Every property has drains used to discharge foul-water and/or stormwater. As Built plans feature a property’s gully traps, terminal vents, and direct connections to their internal sanitary sewer service, and downpipes or soak pits for stormwater disposal. Sometimes this information is held on a separate form or is included on a property’s site plan.
Where there is a separate As Built, this will be noted on the CD, otherwise simply view the property’s site plan for drainage information.
In some instances (often due to a property’s age) accurate information on a property’s drainage is not available. In these instances we recommend you contact a Plumber or Drainlayer for assistance.
Downpipe (DP): A DP is the length of pipe stretching from the soffit (‘eaves’) of a property to the ground. It is used to discharge stormwater collected by the roof into either soak-pits or an internal stormwater drain that discharges to the kerb or into a Council-owned stormwater network.
Gully Trap (GT): A GT is a basin in the ground with a water seal to prevent the foul odours of the sewer reaching the surface. Gully traps are buried in the ground with the tops or surround raised above ground level to prevent ground water or objects entering the sanitary sewer.
Soak pit: A soak pit is a hole (usually 600mm wide and 300mm deep) that is used to discharge stormwater directly into the ground. Unless otherwise approved a property must have at least one soak pit per 30m2 of roof area. Soak pits are generally not permitted within Tauranga outside of Papamoa and Mt Maunganui due to the favourable ground conditions of those areas.
Questions? Contact a plumber or drainlayer to discuss any remedial works on your property that might be required. Technical queries related to a consent application can be directed to our Technical Building Officers on (07) 577 7000.
Building Consents/Permits:
Please note: Technical queries relating to approved/issued building consents/permits can be directed to our Customer Services Officers at the Willow Street service centre, or by contacting our call centre on (07) 577 7000.
The CD will automatically group building consent applications and any relevant supplementary information together for ease of access. Because information requirements have changed over the years, older consents may not have the detailed plans that new consent applications will have.
A building consent/permit is authorisation from Council that works can begin according to the information they supplied with the application. Generally, a consent is required if there are (or have been):
• Changes to structural elements of the house (load-bearing walls, bracing, etc)
• New rooms (or extensions/additions to existing rooms) or buildings/structures (carports, garages, additional habitable spaces, etc) on site
• Changes to plumbing or drainage
• Additions to, or the construction of, decks/balconies over 1m off ground
• Alterations to the exterior shell of any building/structure (new windows, doors, etc)
Please note: For more detailed information on when a consent may be required contact our Technical Building Officers at the Willow Street service centre, or call (07) 577 7000.
Additional Information: This is information our Building Dept has requested in order to continue processing a consent application. The consent will not be approved until this information is supplied by the applicant or their agent.
Amended Information: This is information the applicant has submitted as an amendment to information the Building Dept is processing as part of a consent application. It can be submitted during processing, or if it is of a non-structural (minor) nature, once the consent has been approved. Structural or major amendments made after the consent has been approved require re-consent.
Code Compliance Certificates: Code Compliance Certificates (CCC) indicate all works approved as part of a building consent have taken place and are in accordance with the Building Code. Under the 1991 Building Act private certifiers could issue CCCs. Under the 2004 Building Act this right has been removed and Council’s are the only authorities able to issue CCCs.
Inspection Checklist: The Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) will include a sheet of inspections noting the time, date, inspecting officer, and any remedial works necessary. Where an inspection has failed it should note why, and a subsequent inspection should have taken place. The final inspections (building and plumbing) must pass in order for the CCC to be issued.
Neighbours Consent: Where a consent application breaches the daylighting or distance to boundary requirements of our Operative District Plan the consent of the affected neighbour is required. This consent consists of a form and a site plan or elevations signed and dated by the owners and occupiers of the property.
Plans: Generally these consist of site and floor plans, constructional drawings (cross-section details, footing details, etc) and/or specific design details signed by an engineer.
Project Information Memorandum: A Project Information Memorandum (PIM) is required under the Building Act to accompany every building consent. It is Council’s opportunity to place certain conditions on a development and also lets applicants know about any special land features.
Vehicle Crossing Bond: Whenever works could damage Council assets (kerb, channelling, berm, services, etc) a bond is charged. The amount varies, and depends on the nature of the works. The bond is refunded when works are completed, however a component of the amount charged includes the cost of a Council inspection. This portion is not refundable.
Please note: If further information or clarification is required contact our Customer Services Officers at our Willow Street service centre, or our call centre on (07) 577 7000.
Certificate of Acceptance:
Please note: Technical queries relating to approved/issued Certificates of Acceptance can be directed to our Customer Services Officers at the Willow Street service centre, or by contacting our call centre on (07) 577 7000.
A Certificate of Acceptance (COA) is applied for where works requiring a building consent have taken place without a building consent. A COA is proof that Council is satisfied, to the best of its abilities and beliefs, that the work undertaken complies with the Building Code and our Code of Practise for Development.
Part of the application process for a COA requires the applicants to submit supplementary information (similar to that required for a Building Consent) in support of the application.
Council has the right to approve or refuse a COA within twenty working days of the application being lodged.
Land Information Memoranda:
Please note: Technical queries relating to LIMs can be directed to our Customer Services Officers at the Willow Street service centre, or by contacting our call centre on (07) 577 7000.
A Land Information Memorandum (LIM) is a document prepared by Council on behalf of an applicant. LIMs compiled before 2000 might have been placed on a property file, making them available to members of the public. Since 2000 Council will only issue LIMs to the applicant and will not place previously completed LIMs on the property file.
A LIM covers:
• Any special land features
• Any specific design requirements
• Private and public stormwater, sewerage, and water reticulation
• Government valuation of the property and the amount of any outstanding rates
• Council consents, certificates, notices, orders, and requisitions affecting the land or buildings
• The property’s zoning and the planning rules relating to that zone
• Any designated land use that may affect the property
• Any certificates issued by a building certifier
• Any information that has been submitted to Council by other external organisations that Council believes may affect the land