Building on Land with Natural Hazards

The following are natural hazards under the Act:

• Erosion (including coastal erosion, bank erosion, and sheet erosion):
• Falling debris (including soil, rock, snow, and ice):
• Subsidence
• Inundation (including flooding, overland flow, storm surge, tidal effects, and ponding)
• Slippage

Under this definition, geothermal events, volcanic events, and earthquakes are not regarded as natural hazards, and liquefaction is not a contemplated effect.

• The degree to which the proposed building work differs from building work that does not require a building consent (i.e., exempt building work. For MBIE’s guidance on exempt building work, please see here.). Building work for major alteration is likely to be significant in nature and extent from exempt building work.
• The intended use, degree of design, and construction complexity
• The size of the alteration compared with that of the existing building.
• The increased footprint of the building and the percentage increase in site coverage. (Please see the applicable council District Plan for site coverage requirements.)
• Allowance for the replacement of existing structures with new building work.
• The extent which the performance of the building in question is likely to be affected by the natural hazard conditions.

The above list of factors is not exhaustive. Also, it is unlikely that a single factor will be determinative, and the weight given to each factor will depend on the circumstances in question.

For a diagram to see how the Natural Hazards process works, click here