Retaining walls

Find out what Council permissions you might need for support structures.

Building consent requirements

There are two separate exemptions for retaining walls. You will need to check which professional to hire according to the specifications provinding that the following is true:

1. Building work in connection with a retaining wall that:
   1. retains not more than 1.5 metres depth of ground; and
   2. does not support any surcharge or any load additional to the load of that ground (for example, the load of vehicles).
2. Building work in connection with a retaining wall in a rural zone, if:
   1. the wall retains not more than 3 metres depth of ground; and
   2. the distance between the wall and any legal boundary or existing building is at least the height of the wall.
3. In subclause (1), rural zone means any zone or area (other than a rural residential area) that, in the district plan of the territorial authority in whose district the building work is to be undertaken, is described as a rural zone, rural resource area, or rural environment, or by words of similar meaning.

More information about building consents

Resource consent requirements

Many building projects may also require a resource consent. As part of the building consent process, applications are reviewed by a planner who can highlight any potential requirements, and provide some advice on what might be needed. You can also contact our duty planner, or read more about where a resource consent may be required below and avoid any potential delays to your project.

More information about resource consents