Forms and Information

Download the following PDF files:

Application for Resource Consent - Land Use

Written Approval Form

Application for Change or Cancellation of Resource Consent Condition

Submission on a Resource Consent (Form 13)

Submission on Publicly Notified Application for Change or Cancellation

Submission on Publicly Notified Requirement for Designation or Heritage Order

Submission on Publicly Notified Proposal for Policy Statement or Plan

Further Submission in Support of or opposition to, submission on publicly notified policy or plan

Information Requirements for Land Use Consent applications

Summary of resource Consent Application Charges

Click here for an everyday guide to the RMA.

Resource Consents

What is a resource consent?

Any development, subdivision or other proposed use of a site must be assessed against the Council's District Plan. The District Plan contains rules about different types of activities in different parts of the city. Anything not permitted by the Plan requires a resource consent, which will be for either a land-use consent or a subdivision consent. A resource consent is a permission to undertake an activity on a particular site. It may have conditions on it to control the effects of the activity.

When do I need a resource consent?

You will need to refer to the District Plan. If you are unsure, call 687 7271 to discuss your proposal with the Council Duty Planner call who will advise you. Activities that may require a resource consent are, for example:

• building a garage close to a boundary
• planning a new multi-level apartment building
• clearance of indigenous vegetation
• setting up a work-from-home business
• additions to a listed heritage building
• subdividing a property

The Resource Consent Process

Resource consent applications take 20 working days, provided all the necessary information is included and your proposed project does not need to be notified, or submissions sought by neighbours.

An application will follow one of three procedures; non-notified, limited notified or publicly notified.

The Council monitors projects it has issued resource consents for. It also investigates building work that may be breaching the District Plan by not having the necessary consents. If you are concerned a development may not comply with the Plan, contact us as soon as possible.

Applying for a Resource Consent (An Everyday Guide to the RMA series) outlines the full resource consent process.

Neighbours

It is courteous to consult your neighbours before starting construction work, but you are not legally bound to unless your project requires a resource consent and the Council considers your neighbours an affected party.

If your neighbour is building something you are not comfortable with, you could pay them a friendly visit or contact us and ask for information about their project.

If your neighbour’s project is permitted by the District Plan you have no legal ability to become involved. However, you could approach your neighbour to discuss your concerns or possible options.

Subdivisions

Subdivisions usually require a resource consent and are generally possible if the new lots can accommodate buildings that comply with the District Plan, and:

• can be serviced
• have no stability, flooding or other hazard problems
• are accessible

The Council considers the above matters and subdivision design when assessing each application.

Applying for a Resource Consent

You, or someone representing you - such as a builder, landscape architect, engineer, architect, surveyor or planning consultant - must complete an Application for Resource Consent and take, or post, it to the Planning Unit of the Timaru District Council. You will need to obtain an application form insert link and name of form from the Council.

What will it cost?

There is a fee for processing applications, and a deposit must be paid with your application. Further costs may be incurred during processing, which are charged for after processing completion.

Section 36 of the Resource Management Act 1991 allows councils to charge for actual and reasonable costs of processing of resource consents. Almost all councils now charge for this work. Timaru District Council takes the view that as the applicant benefits from the granting of a resource consent, the applicant should pay most of the cost involved rather than the ratepayers of the District.

Council's fees are contained in the council schedule of Fees and Charges. The Duty Planner can provide an estimate of the likely costs of processing an application.

Time spent by Council staff giving out information and advice prior to an application being lodged is not charged, provided it is kept to a reasonable level.

Resource Consent Monitoring

If an activity is granted consent the Council is required to monitor the activity to ensure it complies with the consent and any specified conditions. Council can recover the costs of monitoring consents.

Currently, Council's policy is to charge a monitoring fee for every land use consent. A monitoring fee of $150.00 is charged when a single site inspection is required, $200.00 when two site inspections are required and $75.00 per inspection when follow up monitoring is required.

How long are resource consents valid for? Land use consents run indefinitely, unless otherwise specified in the consent. In some instances, the Council may limit the term of the land use consent (eg, to five years).

When a consent is granted, a consent holder has five years to give effect to the consent. If, for example, you get a resource consent in 2004, but don't do anything until 2010, then your resource consent would have lapsed and you would have to reapply. However, the Council has some discretion in this regard and can extend the period for giving effect to a consent if it is satisfied that substantial progress has been made.

Compliance and Enforcement

If anyone undertakes an activity without obtaining any necessary resource consent the Council is obliged to investigate and ensure that necessary consents are obtained, or take enforcement action to stop the activity.