NZ SITE PLAN
If you are applying for building consent in New Zealand, one of the most important parts of the application is the drawing package. Council needs to understand what you are building, where it will sit on the property, how it will be constructed, and how the work will comply with the New Zealand Building Code.
For homeowners, this can feel overwhelming. You may hear terms like site plan, floor plan, elevation, section, foundation plan, drainage plan, specifications, and structural drawings. Some projects need all of these. Some only need a few.
This guide explains the most common drawings and documents used for building consent in New Zealand, what each one shows, and when you may need more detail.
Need a Site Plan for Building Consent?
Order a clear New Zealand site plan showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed work, setbacks, access, easements, drainage, north point, scale, and other important site details.
Why Drawings Matter for Building Consent
A building consent application is not approved just because the project sounds simple. The Building Consent Authority needs enough information to check whether the proposed building work is likely to comply with the Building Code.
That usually means your application needs clear drawings, written specifications, and supporting documents. If the drawings are missing important information, council may issue a request for further information, often called an RFI. This can slow down the consent process.
Good drawings help council answer basic questions:
- Where is the work located?
- What is being built?
- How big is it?
- How close is it to boundaries?
- How will it be constructed?
- What materials will be used?
- How will stormwater, drainage, access, structure, and safety be handled?
1. Site Plan
A site plan shows the whole property from above. It explains where the proposed work sits on the land.
For many homeowner projects, the site plan is one of the first drawings council will look at because it gives the overall context of the project.
A building consent site plan may show:
- Property boundaries
- Existing house and structures
- Proposed building work
- Setback distances to boundaries
- Driveway, accessway, or right of way
- Street frontage
- North point
- Scale
- Easements, where relevant
- Stormwater or drainage features, where relevant
- Services, if known
For example, if you are building a deck, garage, carport, shed, extension, or new dwelling, the site plan helps show exactly where that work will be located on the property.
2. Floor Plans
A floor plan shows the layout of the building from above. It is different from a site plan because it focuses on the inside layout and the building footprint, rather than the whole property.
Floor plans usually show:
- Room layout
- Wall locations
- Doors and windows
- Room names
- Dimensions
- Fixtures and fittings
- Stairs, where applicable
- Decks, porches, or attached outdoor areas
Floor plans are especially important for new dwellings, additions, internal alterations, garages, sleepouts, and any project that changes the layout of a building.
3. Elevation Drawings
Elevations show the outside faces of the building. They help council understand what the building will look like from each side.
Typical elevation drawings include:
- North elevation
- South elevation
- East elevation
- West elevation
Elevations may show:
- Building height
- Roof shape and pitch
- Wall cladding
- Windows and doors
- Finished ground levels
- Decks, stairs, and landings
- Exterior materials
Elevations are useful because they show height, appearance, and exterior construction details that are not always clear from a floor plan.
4. Section Drawings
A section drawing cuts through the building to show what is happening inside the walls, roof, floor, and foundation.
Sections can show:
- Floor levels
- Ceiling heights
- Roof structure
- Wall build-up
- Floor construction
- Foundation relationship
- Insulation zones
- Ground levels
- Stairs or changes in level
Sections are especially useful when a project involves a new dwelling, addition, sloping site, deck, retaining wall, or structural changes. They help council understand the construction in a way that a simple floor plan cannot.
5. Foundation Plan
A foundation plan shows how the building is supported. This may include piles, footings, slab edges, foundation walls, beams, or other support elements.
A foundation plan may show:
- Footing locations
- Pile layout
- Concrete slab layout
- Foundation dimensions
- Reinforcement notes
- Ground clearance
- Structural references
- Engineer details, where required
For simple projects, the foundation information may be basic. For larger or more complex projects, especially new houses, additions, retaining walls, or sloping land, structural design may be required.
6. Roof Plan
A roof plan shows the roof shape from above. It helps explain how the roof drains and how roof areas connect to walls, gutters, valleys, and downpipes.
A roof plan may show:
- Roof outline
- Roof pitch
- Ridges and valleys
- Gutters
- Downpipes
- Roof cladding
- Skylights, if any
- Stormwater direction
Roof plans are commonly needed for new homes, additions, garages, carports, and projects where roof drainage or roof form is important.
7. Drainage Plan
A drainage plan shows how stormwater and wastewater are handled. This is important because building work can affect roof runoff, paved areas, driveways, and underground services.
A drainage plan may show:
- Stormwater pipes
- Wastewater pipes
- Existing and proposed drains
- Downpipe connections
- Manholes or inspection points
- Soakage or detention areas
- Drainage easements
- Connection points to council systems
Not every minor project needs a full drainage plan. But if your project adds roof area, changes hard surfaces, or affects plumbing or stormwater, drainage information may be required.
8. Structural Drawings
Structural drawings are usually prepared by a structural engineer. They show how key structural parts of the building are designed to support loads safely.
Structural drawings may be needed for:
- New dwellings
- Large additions
- Structural wall removals
- Retaining walls
- Decks above certain heights
- Complex foundations
- Steel beams
- Large openings
- Sloping or difficult sites
Structural drawings may include beam sizes, bracing, connections, posts, footings, retaining wall details, and engineering calculations.
9. Specifications
Drawings show the layout and design, but specifications explain the materials, products, systems, and workmanship standards.
Specifications may include:
- Cladding type
- Roofing material
- Insulation
- Windows and glazing
- Waterproofing
- Framing material
- Fixings and connectors
- Drainage products
- Fire safety materials
- Construction standards
Specifications matter because council needs to know not just what is being built, but how it will be built.
10. Fire, Accessibility, or Special Details
Some projects need extra drawings or details depending on the type of work. These are not always needed for a simple homeowner project, but they may apply in certain cases.
Extra details may include:
- Fire separation details
- Smoke alarm layout
- Accessibility details
- Waterproofing details
- Bracing plans
- Retaining wall details
- Deck barrier details
- Pool barrier details
- Energy efficiency information
- Specified system information, for some buildings
The more complex the project, the more likely these supporting details become important.
Common Drawing Sets for Homeowner Projects
Deck
A deck consent package may include a site plan, deck plan, elevations, sections, foundation or pile details, barrier details, and structural information if required.
Shed or Small Outbuilding
A shed or outbuilding may need a site plan, floor plan, elevations, foundation details, roof plan, and specifications, depending on size and use.
Garage or Carport
A garage or carport may need a site plan, floor plan, elevations, roof plan, foundation plan, drainage information, and sometimes structural drawings.
House Extension
An extension usually needs a fuller drawing package. This may include site plan, existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, sections, foundation details, roof plan, drainage plan, specifications, and structural drawings.
New Dwelling
A new house normally needs a complete set of drawings and supporting documents. This may include architectural plans, structural plans, specifications, drainage plans, bracing, energy efficiency information, LBP details, and other supporting documents.
What Makes a Good Building Consent Drawing?
Good drawings are not just attractive. They need to be practical, clear, and reviewable.
A good consent drawing should be:
- Clear and easy to read
- Drawn to scale
- Properly labelled
- Dimensioned
- Consistent across the whole drawing set
- Specific to the property
- Detailed enough for the type of work
- Supported by specifications where needed
If the site plan shows one layout, but the floor plan or elevations show something different, that can create confusion. Consistency matters.
Do You Always Need Every Drawing?
No. The drawings needed depend on the project.
A small deck may not need the same drawing package as a new house. A simple carport may not need the same level of detail as a major extension. But every application should include enough information for council to understand the work and assess Building Code compliance.
As a general rule, the more your project affects structure, drainage, safety, access, foundations, or exterior layout, the more drawings you may need.
When You May Need Professional Help
You should consider getting help from a designer, architect, engineer, LBP, or other qualified professional if your project involves:
- New dwelling construction
- Major additions
- Restricted building work
- Structural changes
- Retaining walls
- Complex foundations
- Sloping land
- Drainage changes
- Fire safety requirements
- Work near easements or services
For simpler residential projects, a clear site plan may be one of the first useful steps before preparing the rest of the consent package.
Final Checklist: Drawings You May Need for Building Consent
Depending on your project, your building consent application may need:
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevation drawings
- Section drawings
- Foundation plan
- Roof plan
- Drainage plan
- Structural drawings
- Specifications
- Fire safety details
- Accessibility details
- Producer statements, where required
- Certificate of design work, where restricted building work applies
- LBP details, where required
Need a Site Plan for Building Consent in New Zealand?
If you are preparing for a building consent application, a clear site plan can help start the process properly. It shows the property boundaries, existing structures, proposed work, access, setbacks, and other important site details.
NZ Site Plan helps homeowners prepare clear, easy-to-read site plans for building consent, council review, and residential projects across New Zealand.
Whether you are planning a deck, garage, shed, carport, extension, driveway, or other home project, we can help create a site plan that explains your project clearly.
Plan well. Build with confidence.
Ready to Order Your Building Consent Site Plan?
Get a clear New Zealand site plan showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed work, setbacks, access, easements, drainage, north point, scale, and other details commonly needed for council review.