Apply for a certificate of public use

Buildings that are open to the public either free of charge or requiring a payment or entrance fee or similar, which include, but are not limited to:

  • shopping malls
  • cinemas
  • marae
  • camping grounds
  • some workshops or garages
  • funeral homes
  • office / retail complexes
  • rest homes

cannot be used or opened to the public until a Code Compliance Certificate has been issued.

Apply for a Code Compliance Certificate

These premises will generally have systems within the building which will contribute to life-safety and the wellbeing of the building users - these systems are called specified systems - and will usually have to be installed and operable for the safe use of the building.

However, a Certificate of Public Use may be issued by council in certain circumstances to allow the premises to be opened.

When is it required?

Certificate of Public Use is usually required in the following two scenarios, a publicly used building is:

  • to remain open whilst building work is undertaken (in the case of an existing building)
  • to be opened before a Code Compliance Certificate has been issued (new building).

If the building is to remain open whilst construction work is undertaken, Council will need to be given plans and methods of how the users of the building will be protected from hazards and other general health and safety measures ensuring public safety during construction.

This may be fencing off areas, having traffic management plans or similar and ensuring that specified systems remain operable - (a site specific safety plan may also be required to meet Worksafe requirements under notifiable works provisions).

Worksafe (worksafe.govt.nz)

Apply

You may apply for a Certificate of Public Use in this scenario with your building consent but you must apply and have the certificate before construction starts.

If you want to start using public premises before a Code Compliance Certificate is issued, even if building work has been completed, you can apply for a Certificate of Public Use.

This certificate should be viewed as a temporary measure that allows the public to use the premises until the issue of a code compliance certificate.

Note: the owner is obliged to apply for a Code Compliance Certificate once building work has been completed.

Both the above scenarios are likely to involve an assessment and inspection.

Council may issue a Certificate of Public Use if satisfied on reasonable grounds that the public can use the premises safely. In all cases usual conditions of issue of this certificate will be:

  • that all specified systems are commissioned and/or maintained as required by the issued compliance schedule, ensuring that full maintenance and inspection records are maintained, and
  • limited in time, i.e. will only be issued for a stated time measured in weeks or months, and/or require that a new certificate be required should site conditions change or the time frame be required to be extended.

Every issue or application for a Certificate of Public Use may also require an inspection by council to ensure it can be satisfied on reasonable grounds with regards to public safety requirements.

Please note that fees are applicable for these applications.

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

Certificate for Public Use application(PDF, 234KB)

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

Submit application

You can submit your application and required documents to us by email, by post or in-person at one of our Customer Service centres.

Email:  mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

By post:  

Whangarei District Council 
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

In-person:  

Te Iwitahi
 9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours:  Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays
Summer holiday closedown: Closed from 4:00pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopening at 8:00am on Monday 6 January 2025

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours:  Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays
Summer holiday closedown: Closed from 4:00pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopening at 8:30am on Monday 6 January 2025

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

More information can be found on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.

Owner responsibilities about BWOFs and compliance schedules (building.govt.nz)

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