Home : Planning
and Development : Resource Consents 
| IN THIS SECTION | |
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View all resource consent applications |
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How do I know whether I’ll need a resource consent? |
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Certificates of Compliance |
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Apply for a resource consent |
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I want to subdivide my land |
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Relocating a building |
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Fees and charges |
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General information relating to the Rural Zone, Plains Zone and the Residential Zone |
Introduction
The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) requires local councils to ensure that effects on our environment are managed sustainably. One of Hastings District Council’s jobs is to decide whether to grant a resource consent for someone to undertake an activity that might affect our environment.
Every day, people apply to the Council for a resource consent to do something such as build a new house or garage, subdivide their property, discharge wastewater into a stream, move earth or discharge pollution into the air.
Read the information on resource consents contained within these web pages.
Our District Plan
The RMA requires councils to create plans that help them manage the environment. These plans contain all sorts of rules and conditions for activities that might affect the environment.
The Hastings District Plan guides the way the Hastings District is developed and seeks to control any negative effects of development through rules about the type of building, subdivision or land use that can occur in different zones. Find out what zone you are in.
Plans, usually through rules, state whether an activity is permitted, meaning you can do it as of right, or whether it requires a resource consent. When the council considers your application for resource consent, it follows the processes set out in the RMA.
How do I know whether I’ll need a resource consent?
Whether you’ll need a resource consent, and what type of consent you’ll need, depends on the type of activity you want to do and what rules apply to your proposal in the Hastings District Plan.
Before you start any activity that might affect your neighbours, your wider community, or your environment, contact the Council. An Environmental Planner tell you whether you need to apply for a resource consent and whether your activity is prohibited, which means that it is expressly prohibited in the District Plan. Council cannot grant consent for a prohibited activity.
| Activities that need a resource consent are classified as controlled, restricted discretionary, discretionary and non-complying. The council has to grant a resource consent for a controlled activity, but can refuse to grant a resource consent for a restricted discretionary, discretionary or non-complying activity. |
Hastings District Council deals with two types of resource consent:
A subdivision consent is required to legally divide land or buildings for separate ownership, such as new lots or sections (fee simple or a boundary adjustment), unit title, cross lease, or company lease.
A land use consent is required if your building project or land use activity does not comply with the planning standards in the Hastings District Plan. There are two options - you can either amend your proposal to comply with the planning standards, or you may choose to apply for a land use consent.
Please note: If any building work is necessary (see the Building section), chances are you will also need to obtain a building consent under the Building Act. While the Resource Management Act is concerned with keeping the environment a pleasant place to live, work and play, the Building Act is more focused on whether buildings are healthy and safe places, for example, are they structurally sound with sufficient ventilation and adequate drainage.
Go to the Apply for a Resource Consent section for information on permitted activities, notified and non-notified resource consents. Also download application forms, view fees and see who could be affected by your proposal.
Certificate of Compliance
Some building activities may not require a resource consent, this is called a Certificate of Compliance below.
A Certificate of Compliance can be issued for an activity or a proposal that does not require a resource consent; in other words, when the District Plan indicates that it is permitted as of right.
A Certificate of Compliance may be useful in situations where it is not clear if the proposal or activity is a permitted activity. It can also be used as a formal record that the Council regards the proposal as ‘permitted’. Obtaining a Certificate of Compliance for a permitted activity is optional.
If an application for a Certificate of Compliance is declined, a resource consent application is generally required.
How do you apply for a Certificate of Compliance?You must lodge with Council:
- A completed standard application form - Download Certificate of Compliance
- A detailed description of the proposal or activity
- Detailed plans (to scale)
- A report showing how the proposal complies with the District Plan
- A copy of the Certificate of Title, and
- A deposit processing fee
What happens to your application after it has been lodged?
It is allocated to a resource consents planner who will check the application against the relevant rules of the District Plan. If further information is required, you will be contacted. You will be advised by mail of the decision on the application.
How long does processing take?
The application should be processed within 20 working days from when the application, or additional information required, is received. If there is a delay, you will be advised.
How long will the certificate be valid?
It is valid for five (5) years, even if relevant District Plan rules change after the certificate is issued.
Can an application be refused?
Yes, it can if the activity does not comply with the rules of the District Plan. A resource consent will then be required. Any outstanding credit on the application for the certificate will be credited to the resource consent fee.
Can you object or appeal the Council's decision?
Yes, you can object or appeal against this decision within 15 working days from when the decision was received. An objection must be directed to the Council’s Resource Consents Team. An appeal should be directed to the Environment Court in Wellington.
Contact
Contact the Environmental Planning team at the Council on
resource@hdc.govt.nz
or phone 06 878 0500. Alternatively, come
up to the 2nd floor of the Council's main civic administration
building, 207 Lyndon Road East in Hastings and speak to a
member of our team.
