Bringing your dream of a transportable home to life is an exciting journey. But before your home arrives on-site, it’s important to navigate the council permits required to ensure everything is legal and up to code. In New Zealand, several types of consents and approvals may be needed, depending on your property and location. Let’s break them down in simple terms.

Before placing your transportable home on a section, you’ll need a Site Consent (also called a Building Consent). This ensures your home complies with local building codes and is safe for occupation. Site Consent typically covers:
✔ Foundation plans and engineering details
✔ Stormwater and wastewater management
✔ Utility connections (power, water, sewage)
✔ Structural stability and safety

Your local council will assess these factors before approving your home for placement.

A Yard Consent is required for the construction of the transportable home in a designated yard before delivery. This is a Building Consent that ensures the home’s design and structural stability meet the New Zealand Building Code. It typically applies to home manufacturers who build homes off-site before relocation.

Resource Consent is required when your transportable home does not meet certain district plan rules. For example, you may need Resource Consent if:

✔ Your home is placed too close to a boundary

✔ If you are placing a home in an area with special zoning rules, such as rural, coastal, or high-density urban zones.

✔ It impacts protected land or local infrastructure

Each council has different requirements, so it’s best to check before proceeding. In some cases, a pre-application meeting with the council can help clarify what’s needed.

This type of consent focuses on how your land is used rather than the building itself. You may need Land Use Consent if your property:

✔ Is in a rural or coastal zone with special regulations
✔ Will have multiple dwellings or a minor dwelling unit

Land Use Consent ensures that your transportable home fits within the environmental and zoning guidelines of your region.

If you plan to divide your land into separate sections for transportable homes, you’ll need Subdivision Consent. This ensures that each section meets council regulations for size, access, and infrastructure, including:

✔ Legal road and driveway access

✔ Water and wastewater connections

✔ Stormwater drainage solutions

✔ Compliance with minimum lot size requirements

Subdivision Consent is essential if you’re planning a multi-home development or want to sell individual lots separately.

Understanding these consents might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to make the process smoother:

✔ Check with your local council early – Every region has slightly different rules.

✔ Work with an experienced provider – Companies like Exeter Homes understand these requirements and can guide you through them.

✔ Plan ahead – Consents can take weeks or even months to process, so start early.

If you’re considering a transportable home and want expert advice on council requirements, get in touch with us at Exeter Homes. We’ll help make your journey stress-free and exciting—just as it should be! Exeter can take care of the entire process for you, from subdivision through to house on site, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.