Plumbing and drainage work that doesn't need a building consent

Certain plumbing and drainlaying jobs can be done without the need for a building consent if the job is done by an authorised person:

• a registered certifying plumber or drainlayer
• a plumber or drainlayer who carries out the work under the supervision of a registered certifying plumber or drainlayer – as long as they are registered, hold a provisional licence or are under training.

Search the public register for current authorisation from the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board.

What the exempt work includes

The following building work does not require a building consent

• Repair, maintenance and replacement of sanitary plumbing and drainage
• Drainage access points
• Repair and maintenance of existing water heater
• Replacement of open-vented water storage heater connected to supplementary heat exchanger
• Replacement or repositioning of water heater connected to controlled heat source
• Minor alteration to drains
• Alteration to existing sanitary plumbing (excluding water heaters)
• Plumbing and drainage as part of the construction of a small standalone dwelling built using the granny flats exemption

Self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying does not change plumbing and drainlaying work that can be already undertaken without a building consent, as defined in Schedule 1 of the Building Act. 

The changes allow for certain types of plumbing and drainlaying work to be carried out by endorsed plumbers and drainlayers, who must certify that the work complies with the building consent and the Building Code. 

This removes the requirement for the building consent authority to inspect any plumbing and drainlaying work completed, so long as the requirements for the scheme are followed.

Learn more about the self-certification for plumbing and drainlayings scheme.