Apply for a PIM

A project information memorandum (PIM) is not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you apply for one as early as you can, when you are planning your project.

A PIM is a council-prepared report containing information on special land features and regulatory requirements likely to impact on your project.

The PIM will tell you if you need approvals under other legislation such as:

  • Resource Management Act 
  • Fire Evacuation scheme
  • Heritage New Zealand approval. 

The PIM will also tell you about service connections and provide information about the land on which you want to build. It will give designers the information they need to comply with Council requirements and to produce accurate drawings.

When a Form 4 certificate is issued, it means that no building work can proceed or go beyond a certain level until resource consent is obtained. During this time, inspections are blocked. Once the Resource Consent has been issued, work can resume, and the inspection block is lifted.

Having a PIM can save time and unexpected obstacles during the building consent process.

If you do not have a device for making an online application, please view the “In person” option.

Online

Step 1.During planning

Apply for a PIM at the earliest planning stages of your building project. This will ensure you have all the information that may affect the project, which may prevent delays later.

Step 2.During building consent

You may apply for a PIM at the same time you apply for a building consent. However, this may lead to delays if the PIM identifies issues not dealt with in your plan.

Apply for a Building Consent

Step 3.Gather supporting documents

Required supporting documents

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 4.Log in to our online building portal

You must have an account in our online building portal. which is called 'Objective Build'.

Once you have logged in, you can apply for a PIM, building consent, upload additional documents or track the status of your application.

Objective Build building consents portal

Step 5.Complete application form

Complete the application in Objective Build and upload the required documents.

If you are not ready to submit, you can save your application and complete it at a later stage.

Step 6.Review application

We will review your application. If it’s accepted, fees will be calculated, an invoice raised and sent to you.

PIM fees

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

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

Online: Pay an application fee or invoice

Step 7.Receive your PIM

If your PIM application is made separately, we have 20 days to issue a PIM following receipt of an accepted application. 

In person

Step 1.During planning

Apply for a PIM at the earliest planning stages of your building project. This will ensure you have all the information that may affect the project, which may prevent delays later.

Step 2.During building consent

You may apply for a PIM at the same time you apply for a building consent. However, this may lead to delays if the PIM identifies issues not dealt with in your plan.

Apply for a Building Consent

Step 3.Gather supporting documents

Required supporting documents

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 4.Bring into us

Bring in the documents to 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.

Fees will also be calculated and can be paid at the same time.

PIM fees

Te Iwitahi
 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 5.Receive your PIM

If your PIM application is made separately, we have 20 days to issue a PIM following receipt of an accepted application. 

The more information you give us about your project, the better guidance we can give you.

All applications should include the following when applicable:

  • Drawings and plans that provide the following:
    • the location and external dimensions of the proposed and existing buildings, with distances to legal property boundaries
    • working drawings with detailed building floor plan and elevations
    • volumes of proposed disturbed earth
    • location, dimension and gradient of parking, manoeuvring vehicles and vehicle crossing
    • areas of impermeable surfaces (which do not absorb water)
    • height in relation to boundary control and maximum height controls
    • any proposed retaining walls including elevations
    • existing and proposed disposal of stormwater and wastewater and water connections
  • Record of title, no older than 3 months and associated consent notices
  • Supporting documentation including Geotechnical and / or Site Suitability reports
  • If an agent acts on your behalf, we need your written authorisation for that.

Owner / agent authorisation form for PIM, Building Consents and Certificate of Acceptance (COA)(PDF, 135KB)

We may ask for further information, depending on your building proposal.

There are National Environmental Standards which set out a consistent set of rules for developing land which has potential soil contamination.

You can request a Potentially Contaminated Site search to find out if a current or former use of land may have resulted in contamination on your property.

The Potential Contaminated Site report will help determine if the rules apply for your project.

National Environmental Standards

Projects that benefit from a PIM

Examples of building projects that may benefit from an early PIM application include:

  • a new house
  • additions to a house that involve changing the footprint or adding another storey, or creating a second residential unit
  • a new commercial building
  • significant external additions/alterations to a commercial building
  • external or internal additions/alterations to historic buildings
  • building projects of a large scale carried out in stages (e.g. hospitals, shopping malls, schools etc)
  • building over two or more allotments (subdividing an allotment / building)
  • building across network utility operator’s assets or public stormwater or sewer systems
  • buildings on land subject to one or more natural hazards.

No PIM

You can choose to not apply for a PIM at all.

If you use this option you will need to undertake sufficient research of the site so that your plans consider any natural hazards that may be present and also comply with the District Plan.

District Plan

When you submit the Building Consent application we will do a planning check and advise you in writing if there are any planning matters that you should be aware of. However, you will not receive copies of engineering or other reports that we may hold.

Changes to your plans and specifications may result in delays to your application.

A charge will be made for the planning check if a PIM has not been applied for.

Enquiries

Use our online form to make a building consent enquiry.

Enquire online

Phone: 09 430 4200

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