Project information memorandum (PIM)

While it is not mandatory to obtain a PIM there is a benefit for the designer to obtain one at the design stage.

The purpose of a PIM is to summarise the property information known to the territorial authority relevant to a building project and advise what other authorisations are required for the project other than the building consent. 

Although you can apply for a PIM at the same time as a building consent, it's better to do so beforehand, so you know all the matters that may affect your project before you submit a building consent application.

You can apply for a PIM using our recommended method Online Services(external link).

A PIM must include information related to the property that could impact the project as below:

Please note

The following relevant information and services are also available:

• Pre-application advice services
  A service offered by the Council where you are given the opportunity to discuss consenting issues relevant to your project, at the design stage with the Council’s officers (planners, building consent officers etc).
• Drainage information
  You can order a drainage plan from the Council, refer to the Regulatory and property information fee schedule for the cost per plan - you can also obtain this information as and when required during the build and free of charge via the 'before u dig' website(external link).
• Ground-level information
  A Christchurch City Council Benchmark Network map application is available from the Canterbury Maps website(external link) or a precise levelled benchmark from LINZ Canterbury Earthquake Precise Levelling Height dataset V1.1 can be sourced from the LINZ website(external link).
• Ground conditions information
  A CERA Land Check Zones and Technical Categories map application is available from the Canterbury Maps website(external link).

A PIM is not an approval to start work. Before you can start you will need a building consent.

To apply for a PIM only, you will need to complete the application form online, or if by post or in person, complete the application for Building Consent and/or Project Information Memorandum (Form 2) - Form B-002 [DOCX, 112 KB] (also available as a PDF [PDF, 94 KB]).

Include the following in your application:

• plans
• proof of ownership
• any other information that is relevant to your project as listed on the following Project Information Memorandum (PIM) checksheet - Form B-061 [DOCX, 50 KB] (also available as a PDF [PDF, 25 KB]).

To apply for your project information memorandum we encourage you to submit your application using Online Services(external link).

You will need to register to use this service, however, using it minimises Council administration time and can lead to faster processing times.

If you submit your application through Online Services, you will not have to complete the B-002 application form, as you will complete the application form online.

Online: Visit Online Services(external link) for further information.

Post: Post your application to us at Building Consenting, PO Box 73013, Christchurch 8154. 

In-person: Deliver your application to the Council office at 53 Hereford Street, Christchurch.

Refer to the regulatory and property information service fee schedule.

The Council is currently required to issue a PIM within 20 working days. The statutory time limit begins once we have received all the documents required, and the deposit has been paid.

The cost of processing a PIM is time-based, so the final fee cannot be calculated in advance as it depends on a few variables such as the complexity of the project, the quality of the information etc. 

If you apply online, you will receive an invoice for the deposit. Otherwise, the deposit for the application is payable when you lodge the application.

The Council will credit part of the deposit if the final balance of charges is less than the deposit paid and may also use discretion in refunding part of the deposit if the application is withdrawn very soon after application and no significant processing has taken place.

The PIM may include a:

• Development Contribution Notice (Section 36) will be included if the project requires financial contributions to be paid, the amount and the date payment is required.
• Certificate attached to project information memorandum (Section 37) will be included if a resource consent(s) are required for the proposed project.

If you are applying for a combined PIM and Building Consent, please see Apply for building consent instead.

You can withdraw a PIM or building consent application at any time prior to its issue.

To withdraw an application, complete the following application form and either submit online or drop it off at one of our Service centres(external link):

• Withdrawal Request of a PIM and/or Building Consent Application - Form B-014 [DOCX, 62 KB] (also available as a PDF [PDF, 46 KB])