Building consent authorities and self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying

Self-certification removes the requirement for BCA inspections of eligible plumbing and drainlaying, but it does not remove the BCA’s role in the building consent system.

All plumbing and drainlaying still needs to comply with the Building Code.

BCAs still:

• assess building consent applications for Building Code compliance
• issue building consents
• issue code compliance certificates.

Owners can choose whether to have their project’s plumbing and drainlaying either:

• self-certified by an endorsed plumber and drainlayer
• inspected by a BCA.

If an owner chooses self-certification, the BCA does not inspect eligible plumbing and drainlaying work. Instead, it relies on a certificate of compliance from an endorsed plumber or drainlayer. 

Building consents can have a mixture of work that:

• has self-certifiable plumbing and drainlaying
• follows the standard building consent inspections process.

No inspections required for self-certified work

The BCA does not inspect plumbing or drainlaying work if it:

• is eligible under the scheme
• is listed in the building consent as self-certifiable work
• is carried out, supervised or assisted by an endorsed plumber or drainlayer.

Instead of inspecting the work, the BCA must accept the certificate of compliance and supporting documentation as evidence that the work complies with the building consent.

The endorsed plumber or drainlayer takes on the liability for work they have signed off instead of the BCA.

When inspections are required

BCAs may still inspect other parts of the building work, as well as plumbing and drainlaying that is not eligible for self-certification.

What plumbing and drainlaying work can be self-certified

The self-certification scheme only applies to certain types of eligible plumbing and drainlaying work.

The work must meet the eligibility requirements for the scheme, including limits on building height and design requirements.

What plumbing and drainlaying work can be self-certified

What BCAs still check

At the building consent application stage

BCAs check whether the:

• proposed plumbing and drainlaying is the type of work that can be self-certified under the scheme – this must be listed in the application
• proposed building work meets Building Code requirements.

Building consent applicants do not need to know who their endorsed plumber or drainlayer is when applying for a building consent. 

Before plumbing and drainlaying work starts

Before work starts, and after the building consent has been issued, the applicant must tell the BCA who the endorsed plumber or drainlayer is.

BCAs should check whether the endorsed plumber or drainlayer holds the endorsement to self-certify.

Search the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board register – pgdb.co.nz

When all building work is complete

When all building work is complete and the building consent applicant applies for a code compliance certificate, the BCA checks that it has received all required documentation, including the certificate of compliance.

Checking certificates of compliance

Certificates of compliance are used by endorsed plumbers and drainlayers as evidence that self-certified work complies with the building consent.

Find out more about checking certificates of compliance

When work is not self-certifiable

If work falls outside the scope of self-certification, inspections occur as usual.

The owner can also choose not to use self-certification.

Standard inspections apply if an amendment or minor variation causes work to fall outside the scope of self-certification.

Managing non-compliance with the Building Code

If a BCA identifies potential non-compliance, it can use existing enforcement and referral processes, including issuing a notice to fix.

Professional oversight and disciplinary pathways continue to apply through the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board.

Self-certification benefits for BCAs

• Reduced inspection demand for eligible work.
• Ability to focus on higher risk or more complex building work.
• Clearer allocation of responsibility to endorsed practitioners.