A guide about the approximate costs of building consent services.
The fees for building consent services are set out in the building consents fee schedule, including how to pay the fees.
An additional fixed fee for scanning will be charged for hard-copy applications. To avoid scanning fees and minimise application processing times we recommend you use our Online Services.
When you apply for a building consent you will be invoiced the deposit fee. The total cost may vary depending on the time a building consent officer spends processing your application. If we need to request further information this could also have an impact on the total cost and delay the granting of the building consent.
Your building project may also be subject to fees for services provided by other Council units.
Guide to building consent fees and charges
These figures represent consent processing charges for the 2025/26 financial year ending 30 June 2026, and also include levies collected for Building Research and Building (MBIE). They should be viewed only as a guide to likely fees.
| Consent count | Average | 80% of fees fell within the following range | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential accessory building (habitable). Sleepouts etc. | $0 to $19,999 | No applications received | - | - |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 10 | $4,091 | $2,284 to $5,458 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | No applications received | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | No applications received | - | - | |
| Residential accessory building (non-habitable). Garages, carports etc. | $0 to $19,999 | 6 | $2,715 | $1,774 to $3,355 |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 49 | $4,077 | $2,835 to $5,500 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | 8 | $5,626 | $4,316 to $6,924 | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | No applications received | - | - | |
| Residential dwelling detached | $0 to $19,999 | Sample too small | - | - |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 26 | $4,878 | $3,500 to $6,047 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | 129 | $6,217 | $4,292 to $8,191 | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | 373 | $6,893 | $5,523 to $8,225 | |
| Over $500,000 to $1,000,000 | 388 | $9,434 | $6,985 to $13,244 | |
| Over $1,000,000 | 73 | $16,707 | $11,814 to $23,299 | |
| Residential external alterations and additions | $0 to $19,999 | 45 | $2,584 | $1,664 to $3,937 |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 293 | $3,720 | $2,292 to $5,343 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | 192 | $5,205 | $3,096 to $7,339 | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | 56 | $6,871 | $5,106 to $8,937 | |
| Over $500,000 | 37 | $9,999 | $6,285 to $13,655 | |
| Residential internal alterations only | $0 to $19,999 | 20 | $2,266 | $1,717 to $3,239 |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 44 | $2,467 |
$1,877 to $2,958 |
|
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | No applications received | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Residential multi-unit dwelling | $0 to $19,999 | Sample too small | - | - |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $100,000 to $500,000 | 36 | $10,052 | $7,207 to $13,689 | |
| Over $500,000 to $1,000,000 | 146 | $13,730 | $9,528 to $17,718 | |
| Over $1,000,000 | 356 | $24,582 | $15,812 to $35,067 | |
| Residential plumbing and drainage | $0 to $19,999 | Sample too small | - | - |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | No applications received | - | - | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | No applications received | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | Sample too small | - | - | |
| Residential swimming/spa pool | $0 to $19,999 | 7 | $2,477 | $2,180 to $2,790 |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 39 | $2,665 | $2,061 to $3,046 | |
| Over $100,000 to $300,000 | 14 | $2,934 | $2,476 to $3,590 | |
| Over $300,000 to $500,000 | No applications received | - | - | |
| Over $500,000 | No applications received | - | - |
Note
- 'No applications received' is when there were no applications of that type received in the last financial year.
- 'Sample too small' is when there are six or fewer building consents of that type issued in the last financial year.
Building consents will cost more when:
- there are a significant number of requests for information (RFI's) during processing.
- the value of the building work is higher.
- the land has the foundation technical category TC3.
- the land is a hill site.
- the land is subject to natural hazards (e.g. flooding, rockfall, etc).
- the building consent is for more than one building, such as a dwelling and an accessory building etc.
- due to the complexity of the building work, additional inspections are required.
- the building consent processing requires specialist review (e.g. structural, geotechnical or fire engineer, etc).
- the building consent is for a multi-unit building.
- the design of the building work is complex, such as multiple cladding systems, use of alternative solutions, etc.
Disclaimer
The Christchurch City Council is not able to provide you with the total cost of your building consent at the time of lodging your application. This cost is only finalised at the time of granting the building consent.
The fees shown are from all building consent fees charged within the 2025/26 financial year. The information provided in this guide is intended for your general use and information purposes only.
The Christchurch City Council accepts no liability for your reliance on this guide.
