Building Consent Site Plan Guides by Project in New Zealand

If you need a building consent site plan in New Zealand, the details council wants can depend heavily on the project. A garage site plan may focus on driveway access and setbacks. A pool site plan may need barriers, equipment, drainage, and safety layout. A retaining wall site plan may need wall height, drainage, slopes, surcharge loads, and boundary distances.

This guide brings the main project types together in one place so homeowners can quickly find the right site plan guide before submitting drawings to council, a designer, builder, certifier, or consent reviewer.

A clear site plan helps show what exists now, what you want to build, where it will go, how large it is, and how it relates to boundaries, drainage, services, access, easements, and nearby structures.

What Is a Building Consent Site Plan?

A building consent site plan is a top-down drawing of your property. It shows the site layout and helps council understand the proposed work in relation to the land.

A site plan is different from a floor plan or elevation. A floor plan shows the layout of rooms, walls, doors, or internal spaces. An elevation shows the outside view of a building or structure. A site plan shows the structure’s position on the property.

For many residential projects, a site plan may show:

• Property boundaries
• Existing house and structures
• Proposed building work
• Setbacks to boundaries
• Dimensions of the proposed work
• Driveway, vehicle access, and parking
• Drainage and stormwater details
• Easements and underground services
• North point and scale
• Street name and frontage

Building Performance explains that a building consent application may include details such as the location of the building work, description of the work, estimated value, previous consents where applicable, subdivision details, and supporting documents. Building Performance

Why the Project Type Matters

Not every site plan needs the same information. The right details depend on what is being built.

For example, a pool site plan needs different information than a driveway site plan. A deck extension site plan needs deck height and fall-risk details. A shed extension site plan needs the existing shed size, extension size, and total floor area after the extension. A retaining wall site plan needs wall height, drainage, slope, and surcharge details.

That is why project-specific site plan guides are useful. They help homeowners focus on the details most likely to matter for their application.

Do All Projects Need Building Consent?

No. Some low-risk building work may be exempt from building consent. However, exempt does not mean “no rules.”

Building Performance explains that some Schedule 1 exemptions allow low-risk work to be done without building consent, but building owners are still responsible for making sure exempt work complies with the Building Code. Building Performance

Building Performance also states that all building work in New Zealand must comply with the Building Code, even if it does not require building consent. Building Performance

The New Zealand Government’s Can I Build It tool helps homeowners check whether common renovation or repair projects may need building consent. Can I Build It

Even if building consent is not required, you may still need to check district plan rules, resource consent requirements, easements, boundary setbacks, height limits, stormwater rules, vehicle crossing approvals, or other local council requirements.

What Most Building Consent Site Plans Should Show

Each project is different, but most building consent site plans should clearly show the basic site information. If these details are missing, council may request more information before the application can move forward.

The SIMPLI Guide to Building Consent Application says a site plan is normally used for external or structural work and may show boundary dimensions, north point, finished floor levels, ground contours or levels, site area, street name and number, lot and DP number, building outline, distances to boundaries, and wind zone. For affected vehicle areas, it says to show crossings, levels, driveway gradients, manoeuvring, parking, and loading areas. SIMPLI Guide to Building Consent Application

Core Site Plan Checklist

• Property boundaries and boundary dimensions where available
• Street name, street frontage, and site address
• North point and scale
• Existing house and structures
• Proposed work clearly labelled
• Proposed work dimensions
• Setbacks to boundaries and nearby structures
• Driveway, parking, and access details where relevant
• Drainage, stormwater, and roofwater details where relevant
• Easements, services, and restricted areas where known
• Levels or contours where the site is sloping or drainage is important
• Labels, legend, and notes explaining what each line or symbol means

Project Guides

Use the project guides below to find the specific site plan details that may matter for your type of work.

1. Garage Site Plan

A garage site plan should show the proposed garage location, dimensions, driveway access, vehicle entry, setbacks, drainage, easements, existing house, and other nearby structures.

This type of site plan is especially important when the garage is close to a boundary, connects to an existing driveway, changes vehicle access, or sits near easements or services.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Garage in New Zealand

2. Pool Site Plan

A pool site plan should show the proposed pool location, pool dimensions, pool barrier or fence, gates, equipment location, setbacks, drainage, stormwater, easements, access, and existing structures.

Pool site plans are more detailed because pool safety barriers and access control are important. The plan should clearly show how the pool area is separated and where gates or barrier lines are located.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Pool in New Zealand

3. Retaining Wall Site Plan

A retaining wall site plan should show the wall location, wall length, retained height, ground levels, slope direction, drainage, stormwater outlet, boundaries, nearby structures, easements, services, and any surcharge loads.

Surcharge is important because driveways, parking areas, buildings, pools, other retaining walls, or sloping ground above the wall can affect whether extra consent or engineering information is needed.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Retaining Wall in New Zealand

4. Fence Site Plan

A fence site plan should show the proposed fence line, fence height, boundary position, gates, driveway visibility, easements, services, retaining walls, pool barrier issues, and existing structures.

Many standard fences may not need building consent if they meet exemption rules, but pool fences, taller fences, fences on retaining walls, and fences near driveways or road frontages may need closer review.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Fence in New Zealand

5. Pergola Site Plan

A pergola site plan should show the pergola location, dimensions, posts, setbacks, relationship to the house, outdoor living area, easements, services, and drainage details if the structure is roofed.

The main issue is whether the pergola is open and unroofed, or whether it has a roof, canopy, louvre system, or patio-cover element. A roofed outdoor structure may be reviewed differently from a simple open pergola.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Pergola in New Zealand

6. Home Extension Site Plan

A home extension site plan should show the existing house, proposed extension, connection point, extension dimensions, setbacks, floor levels, drainage, roofwater, services, easements, access, and existing structures.

Home extensions often need more than a site plan because they can affect structure, weathertightness, foundations, bracing, plumbing, stormwater, cladding, fire separation, and Building Code compliance.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Home Extension in New Zealand

7. Driveway Site Plan

A driveway site plan should show the existing driveway, proposed driveway, vehicle crossing, driveway width and length, gradients, levels, stormwater, drainage fall, parking, manoeuvring, easements, services, road frontage, and sightlines.

Driveway projects may involve more than the private property. If the work affects the kerb, footpath, berm, road reserve, or vehicle crossing, separate council or road-controlling authority approval may be required.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Driveway in New Zealand

8. Deck Extension Site Plan

A deck extension site plan should show the existing deck, proposed deck extension, deck dimensions, deck height above ground, maximum fall height, stairs, landings, barriers, setbacks, drainage, easements, and existing structures.

Deck height is one of the most important details. If it is possible to fall more than 1.5 metres, building consent is more likely to be required.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Deck Extension in New Zealand

9. Carport Extension Site Plan

A carport extension site plan should show the existing carport, proposed extension, total carport area after extension, roof outline, posts, driveway access, vehicle parking, setbacks, drainage, roofwater, easements, and services.

Carports are usually open-sided vehicle shelters. If the carport becomes enclosed or changes use, it may be treated differently from a simple carport.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Carport Extension in New Zealand

10. Shed Extension Site Plan

A shed extension site plan should show the existing shed, proposed extension, existing shed size, extension size, total floor area after extension, setbacks, height, floor level, roofwater, drainage, easements, services, and intended use.

For shed extensions, the total completed shed size matters. Do not only measure the new extension. Show the existing shed plus the proposed extension together.

Read the full guide: Building Consent Site Plan for a Shed Extension in New Zealand

Existing and Proposed Site Plans

Many projects are easier to assess when the drawings show both existing and proposed site conditions.

Existing Site Plan

An existing site plan shows what is already on the property before the new work starts. It may include the existing house, driveway, garage, shed, deck, fences, retaining walls, services, drainage, and easements.

Proposed Site Plan

A proposed site plan shows the new work added to the property. It should make the change obvious by clearly labelling the proposed garage, pool, retaining wall, fence, pergola, home extension, driveway, deck extension, carport extension, or shed extension.

Using existing and proposed plans helps council compare what is there now with what will change.

Common Reasons Site Plans Get Delayed

Building Performance explains that councils grant building consent applications when they are confident the proposed work will meet the Building Code. If an application is incomplete, they will ask for the missing information; if it is complete, it will be accepted for review. Building Performance

Common site plan problems include:

• Proposed work is not clearly labelled
• Project dimensions are missing
• Setbacks to boundaries are missing
• Existing structures are not shown
• Drainage and stormwater details are unclear
• Easements or services are missing
• Driveway or access details are missing
• North point or scale is missing
• Existing and proposed plans do not match
• The site plan does not match floor plans, elevations, sections, or engineering drawings

How to Choose the Right Guide

Use the guide that best matches the main project. If your project includes more than one type of work, check more than one guide.

For example:

• A garage with a new driveway may need both the garage and driveway guides.
• A pool with a retaining wall may need both the pool and retaining wall guides.
• A deck extension with a pergola may need both the deck extension and pergola guides.
• A carport extension near the boundary may need extra attention to setbacks, drainage, and fire spread.
• A shed extension with plumbing or changed use may need more than a simple shed site plan.

When a Site Plan Alone Is Not Enough

A site plan is important, but it may not be the only drawing needed for a building consent application.

Depending on the project, council may also request:

• Floor plans
• Elevations
• Sections
• Roof plans
• Foundation or footing details
• Structural details
• Engineering drawings
• Drainage or stormwater plans
• Barrier or handrail details
• Product specifications
• Licensed Building Practitioner or engineer documentation
• Resource consent drawings or planning information

The site plan explains where the project sits on the land. It does not replace structural, drainage, fire, accessibility, weathertightness, or engineering information when those details are required.

Quick Site Plan Checklist Before Submitting

Before submitting a site plan for council or building consent review, check that it answers these questions:

• What is already on the property?
• What is being built, extended, changed, or removed?
• Where exactly is the proposed work located?
• How large is the proposed work?
• How close is it to boundaries and nearby structures?
• Does it affect drainage, stormwater, or roofwater?
• Does it affect access, driveway layout, or parking?
• Are there easements, services, or restricted areas nearby?
• Does the plan include north point, scale, labels, and legend?
• Does the site plan match the other submitted drawings?

Final Thoughts

A building consent site plan in New Zealand should be clear, project-specific, and easy to assess. The right site plan shows the property boundaries, existing structures, proposed work, dimensions, setbacks, drainage, access, easements, services, north point, scale, and any project-specific details that matter.

Different projects need different site plan information. Garages, pools, retaining walls, fences, pergolas, home extensions, driveways, deck extensions, carport extensions, and shed extensions each raise different council questions.

References

• Building Performance – Check if you need consents
• Building Performance – Apply for building consent
• Building Performance – Building Code compliance
• Building Performance – Understanding the building consent process
• Can I Build It – New Zealand Government building consent tool
• SIMPLI – Guide to Building Consent Application