Apply for a land use consent

You need a land use consent to carry out work that is not permitted in our District Plan.

Examples of work that may need a land use consent include:

  • construction of a new building in proximity to a boundary
  • building or carrying out earthworks in coastal areas
  • putting up signs or billboards
  • establishing a childcare centre
  • establishing a business activity that causes excessive noise or generates high volumes of traffic.

If you are undertaking a subdivision, you will need a subdivision consent. 

Your application will be assessed against our District Plan rules, the Resource Management Act 1991 and National Environmental Standards. 

We will process your application within 20 working days unless it is notified. 

Timeframes may be extended if we need you to provide further information at any stage during the process. If this happens the 'processing clock' will be stopped until you have provided this information.

We recommend that you:

Online

Step 1.Prepare supporting information 

You will need:

  • plans to show what is proposed
  • Assessment of environmental effects
  • Record of title (including copies of registered interests). This must be a recent search copy issued within three months of making your application. 

Depending on the work you are carrying out other technical reports may be needed. These must be prepared by suitably qualified and experienced professionals.

Guide to preparing a basic Assessment of Environmental Effects (environment.govt.nz)

Step 2.Attend pre-application meeting (optional)

You are entitled to a free hour-long pre-application meeting to discuss your proposal with our staff before you lodge your application.

Any follow up work will be charged at a standard rate to cover actual and reasonable costs.

Book a pre-application meeting

Step 3.Seek written approvals (optional)

We recommend you seek the advice of a planning professional to determine whether obtaining written approvals will assist to support your application. 

Affected Parties Written Approval form(PDF, 781KB)

Do I need to consult my neighbour?

Step 4.Complete application

Fill in our online form and attach any supporting documents:

Resource consent online application (form 9)

Step 5.Assessing your application

When we receive your application, we will check it for completeness. If your application doesn't include sufficient information, we will contact you.

You will need to submit a new online application with the additional information included. 

If you or your agent don’t agree with the reasons for returning the application, either of you can formally object, in writing, within 15 working days of receiving the returned application.

Step 6.Pay advance fee 

Upon accepting your application, we will send you an invoice for our advance deposit fee.

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

Depending on the complexity of the application, additional fees may also be charged to cover all actual and reasonable costs of processing your application. This may include for example specialist review of technical reports.

Additional fees will be charged at completion of the processing of your application. Where the application is more complex or lengthy to process, we may send an interim invoice.

Resource management fees and charges

Step 7.Application processing

Once your advance fee is received your application will be assigned to a planner for processing.  The application will be assessed by following the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 and a site visit will take place as part of this process.

Most applications are processed as non-notified consents within 20 working days.

If we decide your application needs to be notified to neighbours and / or the public, we will let you know. This will add more time to the consent process. 

Notifications, submissions and hearing

Timeframes may also be extended if we need you to provide further information. If this happens the 'processing clock' will be stopped until you provide this.

Your application may either be approved with conditions or declined.

Where it is approved, we will assess what development contributions apply to your application, as set out in our Development Contributions Policy. 

Development contributions

If your application is declined, you are not able to proceed with your proposal. Depending on the nature of the consent sought, you may be able to appeal our decision.

At any stage you may withdraw your application by advising the processing planner of your intention to do so. 

Step 8.Receive your resource consent

We will send you a copy of our decision, including any conditions you need to comply with when carrying out the work.

An invoice for any outstanding processing fees will be issued at this time. You may also receive an invoice for costs associated with monitoring the conditions of your consent.

Step 9.Start the approved work

Once you receive your resource consent you can start the approved work but will need to make sure you carry this out in accordance with all conditions.

Our monitoring team will check you are carrying out the work within the limits and conditions of your consent.

Monitoring conditions of your resource consents 

By email

Step 1.Prepare supporting information 

You will need:

  • plans to show what is proposed
  • Assessment of environmental effects
  • Record of title (including copies of registered interests). This must be a recent search copy issued within three months of making your application. 

Depending on the work you are carrying out other technical reports may be needed. These must be prepared by suitably qualified and experienced professionals.

Guide to preparing a basic Assessment of Environmental Effects (environment.govt.nz)

Step 2.Attend pre-application meeting (optional)

You are entitled to a free hour-long pre-application meeting to discuss your proposal with our staff before you lodge your application.

Any follow up work will be charged at a standard rate to cover actual and reasonable costs.

Book a pre-application meeting

Step 3.Seek written approvals (optional)

We recommend you seek the advice of a planning professional to determine whether obtaining written approvals will assist to support your application. 

Affected Parties Written Approval form(PDF, 781KB)

Do I need to consult my neighbour?

Step 4.Complete application

You can fill in the application either via your browser or a PDF reader (e.g. Adobe Reader).  

Download and save the application to your computer.  Open with either your browser or a PDF reader to fill in.  Please remember to save once you have filled in the form.  

Resource Consent application form(PDF, 255KB)

Otherwise, you can print, fill it in by hand and scan the form. 

Guide to completing planning application forms

Step 5.Email to us

Email your completed application and supporting information to:

Email:  mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

Step 6.Assessing your application

When we receive your application, we will check it for completeness. If your application doesn't include sufficient information, we will return it to you within 10 working days of its receipt.

Once you have compiled the missing information your application can be re-submitted to us.

If you or your agent don’t agree with the reasons for returning the application, either of you can formally object, in writing, within 15 working days of receiving the returned application.

Step 7.Pay advance fee 

Upon accepting your application, we will send you an invoice for our advance deposit fee.

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

Depending on the complexity of the application, additional fees may also be charged to cover all actual and reasonable costs of processing your application. This may include for example specialist review of technical reports.

Additional fees will be charged at completion of the processing of your application. Where the application is more complex or lengthy to process, we may send an interim invoice.

Resource management fees and charges

Step 8.Application processing

Once your advance fee is received your application will be assigned to a planner for processing.  The application will be assessed by following the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 and a site visit will take place as part of this process.

Most applications are processed as non-notified consents within 20 working days.

If we decide your application needs to be notified to neighbours and / or the public, we will let you know. This will add more time to the consent process. 

Notifications, submissions and hearing

Timeframes may also be extended if we need you to provide further information. If this happens the 'processing clock' will be stopped until you provide this.

Your application may either be approved with conditions or declined.

Where it is approved, we will assess what development contributions apply to your application, as set out in our Development Contributions Policy. 

Development contributions

If your application is declined, you are not able to proceed with your proposal. Depending on the nature of the consent sought, you may be able to appeal our decision.

At any stage you may withdraw your application by advising the processing planner of your intention to do so. 

Step 9.Receive your resource consent

We will send you a copy of our decision, including any conditions you need to comply with when carrying out the work.

An invoice for any outstanding processing fees will be issued at this time. You may also receive an invoice for costs associated with monitoring the conditions of your consent.

Step 10.Start the approved work

Once you receive your resource consent you can start the approved work but will need to make sure you carry this out in accordance with all conditions.

Our monitoring team will check you are carrying out the work within the limits and conditions of your consent.

Monitoring conditions of your resource consents 

In-person

Step 1.Prepare supporting information 

You will need:

  • plans to show what is proposed
  • Assessment of environmental effects
  • Record of title (including copies of registered interests). This must be a recent search copy issued within three months of making your application. 

Depending on the work you are carrying out other technical reports may be needed. These must be prepared by suitably qualified and experienced professionals.

Guide to preparing a basic Assessment of Environmental Effects (environment.govt.nz)

Step 2.Attend pre-application meeting (optional)

You are entitled to a free hour-long pre-application meeting to discuss your proposal with our staff before you lodge your application.

Any follow up work will be charged at a standard rate to cover actual and reasonable costs.

Book a pre-application meeting

Step 3.Seek written approvals (optional)

We recommend you seek the advice of a planning professional to determine whether obtaining written approvals will assist to support your application. 

Affected Parties Written Approval form(PDF, 781KB)

Do I need to consult my neighbour?

Step 4.Complete application

You can fill in the application either via your browser or a PDF reader (e.g. Adobe Reader). 

Download and save the application to your computer.  Open with either your browser or a PDF reader to fill in. Please remember to save once you have filled in the form.  

Resource Consent application form(PDF, 255KB)

Otherwise, you can print and fill it in by hand. 

Guide to completing planning application forms

Step 5.Bring into us

Bring your completed application and supporting information into one of our Customer Service centres: 

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.Assessing your application

When we receive your application, we will check it for completeness. If your application doesn't include sufficient information, we will return it to you within 10 working days of its receipt.

Once you have compiled the missing information your application can be re-submitted to us.

If you or your agent don’t agree with the reasons for returning the application, either of you can formally object, in writing, within 15 working days of receiving the returned application.

Step 7.Pay advance fee 

Upon accepting your application, we will send you an invoice for our advance deposit fee.

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

Depending on the complexity of the application, additional fees may also be charged to cover all actual and reasonable costs of processing your application. This may include for example specialist review of technical reports.

Additional fees will be charged at completion of the processing of your application. Where the application is more complex or lengthy to process, we may send an interim invoice.

Resource management fees and charges

Step 8.Application processing

Once your advance fee is received your application will be assigned to a planner for processing.  The application will be assessed by following the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 and a site visit will take place as part of this process.

Most applications are processed as non-notified consents within 20 working days.

If we decide your application needs to be notified to neighbours and / or the public, we will let you know. This will add more time to the consent process. 

Notifications, submissions and hearings

Timeframes may also be extended if we need you to provide further information. If this happens the 'processing clock' will be stopped until you provide this.

Your application may either be approved with conditions or declined.

Where it is approved, we will assess what development contributions apply to your application, as set out in our Development Contributions Policy. 

Development contributions

If your application is declined, you are not able to proceed with your proposal. Depending on the nature of the consent sought, you may be able to appeal our decision.

At any stage you may withdraw your application by advising the processing planner of your intention to do so. 

Step 9.Receive your resource consent

We will send you a copy of our decision, including any conditions you need to comply with when carrying out the work.

An invoice for any outstanding processing fees will be issued at this time. You may also receive an invoice for costs associated with monitoring the conditions of your consent.

Step 10.Start the approved work

Once you receive your resource consent you can start the approved work but will need to make sure you carry this out in accordance with all conditions.

Our monitoring team will check you are carrying out the work within the limits and conditions of your consent.

Monitoring conditions of your resource consents

By post

Step 1.Prepare supporting information 

You will need:

  • plans to show what is proposed
  • Assessment of environmental effects
  • Record of title (including copies of registered interests). This must be a recent search copy issued within three months of making your application. 

Depending on the work you are carrying out other technical reports may be needed. These must be prepared by suitably qualified and experienced professionals.

Guide to preparing a basic Assessment of Environmental Effects (environment.govt.nz)

Step 2.Attend pre-application meeting (optional)

You are entitled to a free hour-long pre-application meeting to discuss your proposal with our staff before you lodge your application.

Any follow up work will be charged at a standard rate to cover actual and reasonable costs.

Book a pre-application meeting

Step 3.Seek written approvals (optional)

We recommend you seek the advice of a planning professional to determine whether obtaining written approvals will assist to support your application. 

Affected Parties Written Approval form(PDF, 781KB)

Do I need to consult my neighbour?

Step 4.Complete the application

You can fill in the application either via your browser or a PDF reader (e.g. Adobe Reader). 

Download and save the application to your computer.  Open with either your browser or a PDF reader to fill in. Please remember to save once you have filled in the form.  

Resource Consent application form(PDF, 255KB)

Otherwise, you can print and fill it in by hand. 

Guide to completing planning application forms

Step 5.Post to us

Post your completed application and supporting information to:

Whangarei District Council 
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

Step 6.Assessing your application

When we receive your application, we will check it for completeness. If your application doesn't include sufficient information, we will return it to you within 10 working days of its receipt.

Once you have compiled the missing information your application can be re-submitted to us.

If you or your agent don’t agree with the reasons for returning the application, either of you can formally object, in writing, within 15 working days of receiving the returned application.

Step 7.Pay advance fee 

Upon accepting your application, we will send you an invoice for our advance deposit fee.

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

Depending on the complexity of the application, additional fees may also be charged to cover all actual and reasonable costs of processing your application. This may include for example specialist review of technical reports.

Additional fees will be charged at completion of the processing of your application. Where the application is more complex or lengthy to process, we may send an interim invoice.

Resource management fees and charges

Step 8.Application processing

Once your advance fee is received your application will be assigned to a planner for processing.  The application will be assessed by following the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 and a site visit will take place as part of this process.

Most applications are processed as non-notified consents within 20 working days.

If we decide your application needs to be notified to neighbours and / or the public, we will let you know. This will add more time to the consent process. 

Notifications, submissions and hearings

Timeframes may also be extended if we need you to provide further information. If this happens the 'processing clock' will be stopped until you provide this.

Your application may either be approved with conditions or declined.

Where it is approved, we will assess what development contributions apply to your application, as set out in our Development Contributions Policy. 

Development contributions

If your application is declined, you are not able to proceed with your proposal. Depending on the nature of the consent sought, you may be able to appeal our decision.

At any stage you may withdraw your application by advising the processing planner of your intention to do so. 

Step 9.Receive your resource consent

We will send you a copy of our decision, including any conditions you need to comply with when carrying out the work.

An invoice for any outstanding processing fees will be issued at this time. You may also receive an invoice for costs associated with monitoring the conditions of your consent.

Step 10.Start the approved work

Once you receive your resource consent you can start the approved work but will need to make sure you carry this out in accordance with all conditions.

Our monitoring team will check you are carrying out the work within the limits and conditions of your consent.

Monitoring conditions of your resource consents