Certificate of Acceptance

This page explains how and when a Certificate of Acceptance may be obtained in lieu of a Code Compliance Certificate.

What is a Certificate of Acceptance?

A Certificate of Acceptance is a certificate that maybe issued by a Territorial Authority (Council) in certain cases where;

  • work which is required a building consent was carried out without a building consent being obtained.

It is important to note that this is not a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC), as work which has been carried out without building consent cannot have a CCC issued.

Similarly where a building consent has been issued and complied with, the owner cannot apply for a Certificiate of Acceptance instead of a CCC.

Applications can be made to Council for a Certificate of Acceptance

Council may issue a Certificate of Acceptance for completed non-consented building work only in cases where it is satisfied on reasonable grounds, that insofar as Council officers could ascertain, the building work for which the certificate is sought complies with the Building Code.

A Certificate of Acceptance cannot be issued for work that does not comply with the Building Code.

Note:  The Certificate of Acceptance process does not over ride the Building Consent provisions of the Building Act 2004.

Applications for Certificate of Acceptance must be in the proper form

To apply for a Certificate of Acceptance, print off and use the Application for Certificate of Acceptance form and accompanying Certificate of Acceptance Check sheet from our Building Forms page on the link below, and supply any evidence required.

Lodge your completed application and check sheet with Council’s Customer Services Centre.

Certificate of Acceptance decisions must be made in due time

Council must determine whether or not to issue a Certificate of Acceptance within 20 working days from the date on which your application was made, unless it is suspended for further information.

Certificate of Acceptance may be issued when there is compliance

Your Certificate of Acceptance must only be granted when Council is satisfied the building work complies with the Building Code.

When all outstanding fees and charges are paid, your Certificate of Acceptance will include a Compliance Schedule where this is required, or an amended Compliance Schedule when there is already a Schedule in existence.

If your application is declined you will be advised of that decision in writing with the reasons for this.

The Certificate of Acceptance may not cover all work completed

In some cases, Council may not be able to issue the Certificate of Acceptance to cover all of the building work outstanding, as this will depend on the Building Compliance officers being able to access and inspect all work completed.

In that event, the Certificate of Acceptance may be qualified to only the part or parts of the building work that are able to be properly inspected.

Links to more building consent information

Legislation:

Porirua City Council links:

External links: