Changing plans: amendments and variations

A minor variation is a change that does not usually affect compliance with the building code. 

Some examples of on-site minor variations include, but are not limited to:

• changes to as-built plans for the drains that do not change the system type;
• changes to products of a building wrap, roof underlay or tanking membrane; and
• change of location of a sanitary fixture, bracing element, meter board, gas bottles or smoke alarms.

If you identify that a minor change is required to the consented plans before or during building work starting, this needs to be discussed with the inspector at your next inspection.

Work with your Building Inspector

Any minor variations must be discussed on site with your Building Inspector. Usually, simple minor variations are noted by updating plans and building consent documentation to reflect the changes.  Some minor variations may require supporting documents, in this scenario we manage the process using the Minor Variation Form (pdf 134 KB).  The completed form and documents required are approved by the Inspector onsite and then are required to be uploaded to the project via the customer portal (Guide to Uploading Documents (pdf 673 KB)). 

Further reading

Guidance to building consent amendments from building.govt.nz.

Quality drawings - from building.govt.nz

Larger changes mean you must formally apply to amend your building consent.

Generally, amendments are where the change is outside the scope of the original consent.

Some examples include, but are not limited to:

• any alteration that increases or decreases the floor area of the building;
• relocating or removing internal load-bearing supports;
• substantive changes to ground levels, resulting in changes to foundations or retaining structures; and
• changes to fire safety aspects.

Prepare your plans well

When preparing your application for a building consent amendment, present information on the plans and specifications in a way that is clear and easy to follow.

To ensure your amendment is processed quickly, please:

• Only provide pages have changed (not the full plan set)
• Include a full index indicating what has changed, and
• Red bubbles around what has been amended.

Applying for an amendment

• Go to the AlphaOne portal.

The building work affected by an amendment must not be undertaken until we have has issued the amendment. 

Usually we process amendments quickly, but we have 20 working days to process an amendment application.

Further reading

Guidance to building consent amendments from building.govt.nz.

Quality drawings - from building.govt.nz