Move or demolish a building

You can relocate an existing building instead of constructing a new building if it meets the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 and Building Act 2004.

If the building is detached and is less than three stories high you will not need consent as this is exempt building works.

You will need to:

• Terminate all services such as water, sewer and stormwater -  wellingtonwater.co.nz
  
• let providers of services such as electricity, gas, water and telecommunications know about the demolition works
•  correctly handle and dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos
• Control silt or runoff, excess noise and dust
• Secure the site with barriers to restrict public access and avoid injury to the public

Building consent

If you are moving a building into or out of Porirua City, you will need a building consent from both the Porirua City Council and the other Council concerned.

• Porirua City building consents

Resource consent

You may need a resource consent, depending on whether the project involves any site earthworks and on the type and structure of the building, you may also need to get a resource consent from the council for the existing location.

As well as our standard resource consent application requirements, your application must include:

• photographs of the building being relocated
• details of any trees or other buildings you plan to remove as part of the relocation work
  
• details of any planned changes to the building structure
  
• details of how you will comply with District Plan specifications for distance from boundaries, height and so on
• Apply for resource consent