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Do I need a consent - Rainwater tank

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Decision tool form for rain water tank

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Decision tool form for rain water tank

What Auckland Unitary Plan Zone will your rainwater tank be in?

1. Enter your address in GeoMaps

2. Find out your zone

You will need to check if any Unitary Plan controls apply to your property, such as whether you are in a "Special Character Area".

For example, if your property is in a special character area, your rainwater tank may need a resource consent if it is visible from the street or public right of way. (Email heritage@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to find out more on this.)

Another example is that your proposed tank could be in a Stormwater Management Asset Flowpath (SMAF) area and may also need a resource consent. (Email HWDevelopment@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to find out more on this.)

Check the left-hand column underneath your zone information. Here you can see if there are special conditions on your property. These will be listed under the headings of "Precincts", "Overlays" and "Controls".

If additional conditions apply, you will need to contact us or talk to a professional to find out if you need a consent.

3. What zone will your rainwater tank be in?

Residential - Single House ZoneResidential - Large Lot ZoneResidential - Rural and Coastal Settlement ZoneResidential - Mixed Housing Suburban ZoneResidential - Mixed Housing Urban ZoneResidential - Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings ZoneYou need to select an answer to proceed.

HostURL

ProjectName

ImageURL

q-001 connecting rainwater T to existing internal plumbing

Will you be connecting your rainwater tank to any existing internal plumbing?

For example, you may be intending to use your tank for the laundry, a shower or flushing the toilet.

Why are we asking this question?

If your rainwater tank is connected to your property’s plumbing, this does not count as outdoor use and you will require a building consent.

YesNoYou need to select an answer to proceed.

Zone value

q-001 decision

q-001 image

A diagram depicting a rainwater tank connected via internal plumbing.

q-002 volume of proposed rainwater T

What is the maximum volume of your proposed rainwater tank?

If you don’t know the maximum volume of your proposed rainwater tank you can use the calculator below.

Why are we asking this question?

This is to determine whether the rainwater tank is defined by the Auckland Unitary Plan as a “building”. A resource consent is required if the volume of the tank is 25,000 litres or more.

Show-hide-flag

Show calculator

Total volume

Maximum volume.You need to select an answer to proceed.

Display text volume

q-003 rainwater T supporting structure height

Will the rainwater tank be supported by a supporting structure?

A supporting structure can include decking.

Why are we asking this question?

The height and volume of the rainwater tank may determine if a building consent is required.

YesNoYou need to select an answer to proceed.

not-required

q-003 image

A diagram of a rainwater tank on top of a supporting structure.

q-004 height of the proposed rainwater T

What is the height of the proposed rainwater tank?

Height is measured as the maximum vertical distance between the top of the rainwater tank and the ground level, decking or floor.

Why are we asking this question?

This is to determine whether the rainwater tank is defined by the Auckland Unitary Plan as a “building”.

.You need to select an answer to proceed.

q-004 decision

q-004 image

A diagram depicting the height of a rainwater tank.

Summary page

decision summary details

Resource consent

You will need a resource consent.

According to the information you have provided, you will require a resource consent as your rainwater tank:

Resource consent details

As your project may be exempt from a resource consent, we recommend you call us on 09 301 0101 or e-mail onlineconsenting@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

You will need to apply for a resource consent for 'Adding a new rainwater tank'. The application fees have been removed and we are providing a free service to guide you through the resource consent process for rainwater tanks. Click here to find out more.

Your consent may be processed through our Streamline service.

You don't need a resource consent.

According to the information you have provided, your rainwater tank will not require a resource consent.

Find out more about resource consents.

Building consent

You will need a building consent.

According to the information you have provided, you will require a building consent as your rainwater tank:

Building consent details

As your project may be exempt from a building consent, we recommend you call us on 09 301 0101 or e-mail onlineconsenting@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Please note

Construction cannot start until all required resource consents have been obtained.
If you are building over or close to a public wastewater or drinking water drain, you will need an approval from Watercare or Veolia.
If you are building over or close to a public stormwater drain, you will need an engineering approval from Council. Call us for more information on 09 301 0101.

You will need to apply for a building consent for 'Adding a new rainwater tank'.

You don't need a building consent.

According to the information you have provided, your rainwater tank will not require a building consent under the following exemptions of Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004:

Exemption 23

Please note

Construction cannot start until all required resource consents have been obtained.
If you are building over or close to a public wastewater or drinking water drain, you will need an approval from Watercare or Veolia.
If you are building over or close to a public stormwater drain, you will need an engineering approval from Council. Call us for more information on 09 301 0101.
Check any other enactments or regulations (for example: Unit Titles Act, Land Transfer Act, Property Law Act, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, Health and Safety at Work Act, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act, Auckland Council Bylaws etc.) and property rights that may affect the proposed work. It is the responsibility of the owner to check these prior to starting your project.
Make sure your proposed project is built to the New Zealand Building Code.

Find out more about building consents.

Summary image

What do I do next?

Customer journey for when a consent is required

Customer journey fo rwhe na consent is not required

Summary footer

Did you find this tool helpful?

Email your feedback to us.

Disclaimer

This tool provides an outcome based on the answers you have provided. If you change the design or nature of your project, then you should use this tool again as the outcome may change.
The council accepts no responsibility for the outcome provided by the tool if you have provided incomplete or inaccurate answers.
Your resource consent outcome has been assessed under the Auckland Unitary Plan (operative in part) excluding properties in the Hauraki Gulf Islands. You may still require additional resource consents under legacy plans.
Additional consent(s) may be required if your site has been identified as being in a natural hazard area (e.g. flooding, soil instability) or if your property is under a special overlay (e.g. heritage protection)

Date Completed: 02/07/2020

Summary notification

E-mail yourself a summary of this advice:

Email address

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Customer reference (optional)

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