Building code compliance

All building work in New Zealand must comply with the Building Code, even if it doesn’t require a building consent. This ensures buildings are safe, healthy and durable for everyone who may use them.

The Building Code sets the standards for how building work must perform.

Plans and specifications are assessed by building consent authorities (BCAs), usually the council, to ensure the proposed building work complies with the Building Code. When the BCA is satisfied, it issues a building consent for the work to proceed. If the work is built to the consented plans and receives a code compliance certificate, it confirms the requirements of the Building Code have been met.

The Building Code is contained in Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations 1992. It sets out the performance standards that all new building work must meet. It is divided into sections each covering a different aspect, such as stability, protection from fire and energy efficiency. Each section is given a code, such as H1 for energy efficiency, and you will often see the code used as shorthand when referring to means of compliance.

Importantly, the Building Code sets the standards for how building work must perform. It does not prescribe how the work should be done. This means the Building Code remains flexible and adapts to new developments and innovation in design, technology and systems.

Each clause in the Building Code contains these three parts:

  1. Objective - the social objectives the building must achieve
  2. Functional requirement - the functions the building must perform to meet the objective
  3. Performance - the performance criteria that must be met, to meet the objective and functionality requirement

For more information:

A General provisions

B Stability

C Protection from fire

D Access

E Moisture

F Safety of users

G Services and facilities

H Energy efficiency

There are different ways to show compliance with the Building Code requirements.
You must show compliance using one or more of these.
You can choose which to use.

Acceptable solutions are step-by-step building methods. For example, the method for installing insulation in the wall of a house to comply with the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Code clause H1.

For more information: Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods

Verification methods are calculations or test method. For example, the calculations necessary to show how a building design complies with the structural requirements of Building Code B1 Structure.

Verification Methods can include:

calculation methods: using recognised analytical methods and mathematical models

  • laboratory tests: using tests (sometimes to destruction) on prototype components and systems

  • tests-in-situ: which may involve examination of plans and verification by test, where compliance with specified numbers, dimensions or locations is required (non-destructive tests, such as pipe pressure tests, are also included).

For more information: Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods

Alternative Solutions are where all or part of the building design differs from an Acceptable Solution or Verification Method. You can use an alternative solution so long as you can provide evidence on how the relevant performance requirements of the building code are met.

You may have a building with an innovative design, be working with an existing building, or want to do something differently. If your proposal, of any part of it, is outside the building methods detailed in the Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods, you will need other evidence that your project complies with the Building Code. You need to include this evidence in your building consent application.

If your design uses an alternative solution, you must demonstrate how your proposed work will meet the performance requirements of the Building Code. You should prepare an assessment report that clearly scopes which parts of your project are covered by the alternative solution, which Building Code clauses are relevant to the design, and verification of how the product or system meets the performance requirements of the relevant code clauses.

You might consider providing:

  • a calculation or test result

  • comparison with an acceptable solution or verification method

  • a MBIE determination on a similar product or design solution

  • product technical information and/or data from the manufacturer’s literature

  • an appraisal or

    CodeMark certificate

    ClosedCodeMark is a voluntary product certification scheme to show a building product or building method meets the requirements of the building code. A CodeMark certificate must be accepted by Building Consent Authorities as meeting the requirements of the building code, provided the certificate is current and the product or method is used in accordance with details noted on the certificate. For more information: CodeMark and DINEX building design certification

  • an expert opinion


For more information: Alternative solutions for compliance with the Building Code

Information from Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Hīkina Whakatutuki licensed under CC-BY 4.0.