Apply for a PIM

A project information memorandum (PIM) is not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you apply for one as early as you can, when you are planning your project.

A PIM is a council-prepared report containing information on special land features and regulatory requirements likely to impact on your project.

The PIM will tell you if you need approvals under other legislation such as:

  • Resource Management Act 
  • Fire Evacuation scheme
  • Heritage New Zealand approval. 

The PIM will also tell you about service connections and provide information about the land on which you want to build. It will give designers the information they need to comply with Council requirements and to produce accurate drawings.

When a Form 4 certificate is issued, it means that no building work can proceed or go beyond a certain level until resource consent is obtained. During this time, inspections are blocked. Once the Resource Consent has been issued, work can resume, and the inspection block is lifted.

Having a PIM can save time and unexpected obstacles during the building consent process.

If you do not have a device for making an online application, please view the “In person” option.

Online

Step 1.During planning

Apply for a PIM at the earliest planning stages of your building project. This will ensure you have all the information that may affect the project, which may prevent delays later.

Step 2.During building consent

You may apply for a PIM at the same time you apply for a building consent. However, this may lead to delays if the PIM site identifies issues not dealt with in your plan.

Apply for a Building Consent

Step 3.Review the guidance document

Guidance Notes - PIM Applications(PDF, 156KB)

Step 4.Register or log in to our online building portal

Register – Objective Build building consents portal 

Once you have registered, you can apply for a building consent, upload additional documents or track the status of your application.

Sign in – Objective Build

Step 5.Complete the application form

Complete the application in Objective Build and upload required documents.

If you are not ready to submit, you can save your application and complete it at a later stage.

Step 6.Review application

We will review your application. If it’s accepted, fees will be calculated, an invoice raised and sent to you.

PIM fees

If your application is not accepted we will let you know the reasons why.

You can pay the invoice either online, in person or call us with your details. We accept Visa and Mastercard payments via our Contact Centre.

Online: Pay an application fee or invoice

Phone: 09 430 4200

Step 7.Receive your PIM

If your PIM application is made separately, we have 20 days to issue a PIM following receipt of an accepted application. 

In person

Step 1.During planning

Apply for a PIM at the earliest planning stages of your building project. This will ensure you have all the information that may affect the project, which may prevent delays later.

Step 2.During building consent

You may apply for a PIM at the same time you apply for a building consent. However, this may lead to delays if the PIM site identifies issues not dealt with in your plan.

Apply for a Building Consent

Step 3.Review the guidance document

Guidance Notes - PIM Applications(PDF, 156KB)

Step 4.Gather support documents

Gather your supporting documents as required.  

PIM application form(PDF, 1MB)

Step 5.Bring into us

Bring in the documents to one of our service centres. We will check that the information is sufficient for the application and, if not, will advise what is missing.

We will complete the online application form together and upload the supporting documents.

Te Iwitahi
 9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Step 6.Review application

We will review your application. If it’s accepted, fees will be calculated and can be paid at one of our service centres.

PIM fees

If your application is not accepted we will let you know the reasons why.

Step 7.Receive your PIM

If your PIM application is made separately, we have 20 days to issue a PIM following receipt of an accepted application. 

There are National Environmental Standards which set out a consistent set of rules for developing land which has potential soil contamination.

You can request a Potentially Contaminated Site search to find out if a current or former use of land may have resulted in contamination on your property.

The Potential Contaminated Site report will help determine if the rules apply for your project.

National Environmental Standards

Projects that benefit from a PIM

Examples of building projects that may benefit from an early PIM application include:

  • a new house
  • additions to a house that involve changing the footprint or adding another storey
  • a new commercial building
  • significant external additions/alterations to a commercial building
  • external or internal additions/alterations to historic buildings
  • building projects of a large scale carried out in stages (e.g.: hospitals, shopping malls, schools etc)
  • building over two or more allotments (subdividing an allotment/building)
  • building across network utility operator’s assets or public stormwater or sewer systems
  • buildings on land subject to one or more natural hazards.

No PIM

You can choose to not apply for a PIM at all.

If you use this option you will need to undertake sufficient research of the site so that your plans consider any natural hazards that may be present and also comply with the District Plan.

District Plan

When you submit the Building Consent application we will do a planning check and advise you in writing if there are any planning matters that you should be aware of. However, you will not receive copies of engineering or other reports that we may hold.

Changes to your plans and specifications may result in delays to your application.

A charge will be made for the planning check if a PIM has not been applied for.

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