Apply for a Certificate of Public Use

A Certificate of Public Use is usually required in the following two scenarios, when a publicly used building is:

  • to remain open whilst building work is undertaken (in the case of an existing building)
  • to be opened before a Code Compliance Certificate has been issued (new building).

If the building is to remain open whilst construction work is undertaken, we will need to be given plans and methods of how the users of the building will be protected from hazards and other general health and safety measures ensuring public safety during construction.

This may be fencing off areas, having traffic management plans or similar and ensuring that specified systems remain operable (a site specific safety plan may also be required to meet WorkSafe requirements under notifiable works provisions).

WorkSafe (worksafe.govt.nz)

You may apply for a Certificate of Public Use in this scenario with your building consent but you must apply and have the certificate before construction starts.

If you want to start using public premises before a Code Compliance Certificate is issued, even if building work has been completed, you can apply for a Certificate of Public Use.

This certificate should be viewed as a temporary measure that allows the public to use the premises until the issue of a Code Compliance Certificate.

Note: The owner is obliged to apply for a Code Compliance Certificate once building work has been completed.

Both the above scenarios are likely to involve an assessment and inspection.

Buildings that are open to the public either free of charge or requiring a payment or entrance fee or similar, which include, but are not limited to:

  • shopping malls
  • cinemas
  • marae
  • camping grounds
  • some workshops or garages
  • funeral homes
  • office / retail complexes
  • rest homes.

These buildings cannot be used or opened to the public until a Code Compliance Certificate has been issued.

Apply for a Code Compliance Certificate

These premises will generally have systems within the building which will contribute to life-safety and the wellbeing of the building users. These systems are called specified systems and will usually have to be installed and operable for the safe use of the building.

However, a Certificate of Public Use may be issued by us in certain circumstances to allow the premises to be opened.

By email

Step 1.Gather documents

You will need to gather the supporting documents for your application:

  • Evidence of applicant’s status (e.g. copy of record of title, lease, agreement for sale and purchase, licence, or property management agreement, being a document that shows the full name of the applicant).
  • Owner / Agent Authorisation form
  • Building and site plans that clearly show the part of the premises that this application refers to
  • Plans showing any changes or modifications to exits, egress routes, or specified systems
  • List of specified systems and the changes from the current compliance schedule.

Note:  a Record of Title not older than three months is required from Land Information New Zealand.  We can obtain this for you as part of your consent application (a charge will apply).

Landonline (linz.govt.nz)

Step 2.Complete application

Download the application, print and complete it by hand.

Certificate for Public Use application(PDF, 215KB)

Step 3.Email us

Email us the completed application and supporting documents to:

Email:  mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

Step 4.Review application

We will review your application.  If the application is accepted, initial fees will be calculated and an invoice sent to you.

Building control fees and charges

If your application is not accepted we will let you know the reasons why.

Step 5.Pay fees

You can pay the invoice either online or in person. We accept Visa and Mastercard payments via our service centres.

Online: Pay an application fee or invoice

Step 6.Process application

Once we have a complete application and payment, we will process your application as soon as we can.

Note: legally, we have 20 working days to process a Certificate of Public Use application.  

Step 7.Certificate issued and inspection

We may issue a Certificate of Public Use if satisfied on reasonable grounds that the public can use the premises safely. In all cases, usual conditions of issue of this certificate will be:

  • that all specified systems are commissioned and/or maintained as required by the issued compliance schedule, ensuring that full maintenance and inspection records are maintained, and
  • limited in time, i.e. will only be issued for a stated time measured in weeks or months, and / or require that a new certificate be required should site conditions change or the time frame be required to be extended.

Every issue or application for a Certificate of Public Use may also require an inspection by us to ensure it can be satisfied on reasonable grounds with regards to public safety requirements.

In-person

Step 1.Gather documents

You will need to gather the supporting documents for your application:

  • Evidence of applicant’s status (e.g. copy of record of title, lease, agreement for sale and purchase, licence, or property management agreement, being a document that shows the full name of the applicant).
  • Owner / Agent Authorisation form
  • Building and site plans that clearly show the part of the premises that this application refers to
  • Plans showing any changes or modifications to exits, egress routes, or specified systems
  • List of specified systems and the changes from the current compliance schedule.

Note:  a Record of Title not older than three months is required from Land Information New Zealand.  We can obtain this for you as part of your consent application (a charge will apply).

Landonline (linz.govt.nz)

Step 2.Complete application

Download the application, print and complete it by hand.

Certificate for Public Use application(PDF, 215KB)

Step 3.Bring into us

Bring the application and supporting documents into one of our service centres.  We will check that the information is sufficient for the application and, if not, will advise what is missing.  

We will complete the online application form together and upload the supporting documents.

Te Iwitahi (civic centre)
 9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Step 4.Review application

We will review your application.  If the application is accepted, initial fees will be calculated.

Building control fees and charges

If your application is not accepted we will let you know the reasons why.

Step 5.Pay fees

You can pay initial fees with Visa or Mastercard at our service centres. 

Step 6.Process application

Once we have a complete application and payment, we will process your application as soon as we can.

Note: legally, we have 20 working days to process a Certificate of Public Use application.  

Step 7.Certificate issued and inspection

We may issue a Certificate of Public Use if satisfied on reasonable grounds that the public can use the premises safely. In all cases, usual conditions of issue of this certificate will be:

  • that all specified systems are commissioned and/or maintained as required by the issued compliance schedule, ensuring that full maintenance and inspection records are maintained, and
  • limited in time, i.e. will only be issued for a stated time measured in weeks or months, and / or require that a new certificate be required should site conditions change or the time frame be required to be extended.

Every issue or application for a Certificate of Public Use may also require an inspection by us to ensure it can be satisfied on reasonable grounds with regards to public safety requirements.

Guidance

More information can be found on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.

Owner responsibilities about BWOFs and compliance schedules  (building.govt.nz)

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