3. Prepare a consent application to add a rainwater tank

Provide a complete consent application

To avoid delays in processing your rainwater tank consent application, you should:

• make sure your application is complete (including all plans and technical documents)
• engage a professional (Licensed building practitioner — design), architect or engineer to prepare your application. Rainwater tank suppliers may also be helpful sources of advice.

Building consent applications

Proof of ownership

Provide evidence of ownership or rights over the property (i.e. record of title). If you are not the owner, provide authorisation to apply for a consent.

Project description

The project description must be accurate and describe all work involved in the project.

Drawings

All drawings and plans need to have:

• drawing number, date and title
• designer’s name
• address of property and legal description
• design information for supporting structure, if included
• an appropriate scale and clarity.

Freehand sketches are not accepted.

If supported by a producer statement, the plans must also be signed by the design specialist.

Lodgement checklist

Use our lodgement checklist specific to rainwater tanks to ensure you have provided all the relevant information. Incomplete applications will lead to delays.

Types of tanks

Rainwater re-use tanks: A rainwater re-use tank, also known as a rainwater retention tank, is used to store rainwater which can then be re-used for gardening, toilet use and laundry purposes. Sometimes, it is referred to as a single-purpose rain tank.

Full water supply tanks: If your proposed rainwater tank is to be used for your entire water supply (including drinking water), please contact our building consent help desk.

Resource consent applications

You will need to provide:

• a completed resource consent Form A (PDF 693KB) (partially completed for rainwater tank-only application, not including building consents)
• a site plan using GeoMaps or another aerial mapping service to show:
• the written dimensions between the proposed rainwater tank and the site boundaries and any other existing structures onsite (e.g. main dwelling, garage, etc).
• clearly labelled tank distance in relation to the property boundaries
  that your rainwater tank overflow drains to the existing onsite stormwater discharge point
• photographs of the site and tank location
• the rainwater tank dimensions (e.g. height, width, length, volume) and design of tank (e.g. slimline, fence tank, bladder tank, large round etc.).

There are also zoning considerations that may bring additional design guidelines, which may require a resource consent.

This applies if you are installing a tank in a Special Character Overlay Area, the Hauraki Gulf islands or in a Historic Heritage Overlay Area.