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Earthquake-prone buildings

The approach for identifying and managing potentially earthquake-prone buildings is governed by the provisions of the Building Act 2004.

Changes under the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016

On 1 July 2017, the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 came into effect and is now embedded in the Building Act 2004 (the Act).

This supersedes the earthquake-prone buildings section of Auckland Council’s former Earthquake-prone, Dangerous and Insanitary Building Policy.

We will be writing to owners of potentially earthquake prone buildings within the region to request that they provide an engineering assessment.

Those contacted for this reason will have 12 months from the date of their written notification from us to carry out the engineering assessment.

Building owners will need to cover the cost of the engineering assessment themselves.

Structures that the Act applies to

The Act applies to commercial buildings and some residential buildings.

Residential buildings are only covered under the act if they:

comprise two or more storeys and three or more household units,
or are used as hostels, boarding houses or other types of specialised accommodation.

The Act does not apply to:

farm buildings
stand-alone retaining walls
fences
statues and other monuments that cannot be entered
wharves
bridges
tunnels
storage tanks.

Previous earthquake-prone building assessments

If you own a building that was assessed as not earthquake-prone under our initial evaluation programme, then you don't need to take any further action.

If you own a building that was assessed as earthquake-prone under our initial evaluation programme, you can either:

retain the assessment rating from that process
engage a chartered professional engineer to undertake a new assessment using the methodology set out by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE).

New earthquake-prone building assessments

If you choose to undertake a new assessment using the MBIE methodology, the result of the assessment will supersede any existing seismic assessment rating.

Extension to provide an earthquake-prone building assessment

An extension of up to 12 months may be available if you are unable to provide an assessment by the due date.

You have to apply for an extension at least two months before the initial due date.

Apply for an extension to provide an earthquake-prone building assessment

By email

Email your completed application form to our seismic performance team at eqbproject@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Application for time extension to provide engineering assessment

PDF download 60.5 KB

Buildings with earthquake-prone status

If your building retains an existing earthquake-prone evaluation or is rated as earthquake-prone under the new assessment, you will:

be issued with a statutory Earthquake-Prone Building (EPB) notice, which you must display in a prominent place in your building
have the details of your building added to a new national register of earthquake-prone buildings
have 35 years from the date of the EPB notice to strengthen your building so that it is no longer earthquake-prone, or if you carry out a substantial alteration or change of use, have to strengthen your building at the same time.

Select all

AC2263 Seismic upgrades AC2263 Seismic upgrades PDF 153.7 KB
Earthquake-prone buildings – Guidance and approaches Earthquake-prone buildings – Guidance and approaches PDF 2.3 MB

Where to attach your earthquake-prone building notice

When we have issued you with an earthquake-prone building notice, you must place that notice in a prominent place or directly adjacent to the main entrance of the earthquake-prone building. You may place additional copies of the notice at other entrances to the building.

The notice must be visible to people who have not yet entered the building and may be placed on the interior of the main door (if it contains a pane of glass) or an adjacent window facing out. If this is not an option, you should securely attach the notice to the exterior of the building and make sure that it is not affected by the weather and remains in place until the notice is revoked.

The notice should be displayed at a height and positioned where it's easily seen by visitors. It should not be obscured by any other pieces of the building, furniture or decorations.