What is a Resource Consent?
A Resource Consent is official authorisation from a local council, under the Resource Management Act (RMA), for an activity that might affect the environment, and that isn’t allowed ‘as of right’ in the district or regional plan.
The pages below help explain the resource consent process in more detail. This includes how to determine if a consent is needed, what type of consent is needed, what to consider in preparing an application, how to apply, what the process is once your application is lodged and what happens after consent is granted.
Note: If you are planning a new activity which includes a structure or building you may need a building consent AS WELL AS a Resource Consent. Building Consents are primarily concerned with making sure buildings and structures are built and maintained to be structurally safe. See more on the building consents page.
