Many landscapers in New Zealand will help coordinate council permits and building consents as part of their service — but whether they do, and how much they handle, depends on the scope of your project and the individual business. It's always worth asking upfront, before work begins, exactly who is responsible for obtaining any required consents.
Why Some Landscaping Work Needs a Consent
Not all landscaping requires a building consent, but more projects than you might expect do. Under the New Zealand Building Code and the Building Act 2004, certain structures and earthworks trigger consent requirements. Your local council is the authority that decides whether consent is needed, so it's important to check with them early.
Common landscaping projects that may require a building consent include:
- Retaining walls over 1.5 metres in height (or lower if they support a surcharge such as a driveway or building)
- Decks more than 1.5 metres above ground level
- Swimming pools and spa pools (also require a pool fencing requirements under the Building (Pools) Amendment Act 2016)
- Fences over certain heights (varies by council and zone)
- Significant earthworks that alter drainage or affect neighbouring properties
- Structures such as pergolas, gazebos, or sleepouts above certain sizes
Some smaller projects fall under Schedule 1 of the Building Act, which lists work exempt from building consent. For example, certain small detached buildings may be exempt, and some retaining walls under 1.5 m with no surcharge may also qualify. However, always confirm with your local council before assuming work is exempt — the rules can vary depending on your site conditions, district plan, and council policies.
For more detail on what requires consent, MBIE Building Performance has clear guidance on the Building Act and Schedule 1 exemptions.
What a Landscaper Can and Can't Do
A qualified landscaper or landscape contractor can often:
- Advise you on whether your project is likely to need consent
- Prepare or commission plans and specifications required for a consent application
- Lodge the building consent application on your behalf as your agent
- Liaise with the council during the consent process
- Arrange inspections at the required stages of construction
However, there are limits. Landscapers are not licensed building practitioners (LBPs) unless they hold that qualification separately. For restricted building work — which includes certain structural elements like retaining walls that are integral to a building or that otherwise meet the criteria for restricted building work — the design and construction must be carried out or supervised by an LBP. You can check whether your landscaper holds an LBP licence at Licensed Building Practitioners.
If your landscaping project involves plumbing (irrigation connections to mains, pool plumbing, drainage), that work must be done by a licensed plumber or drainlayer registered with the Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board. Similarly, any electrical work — such as outdoor lighting connected to your mains — must be carried out by a registered electrician under the Electrical Workers Registration Board. A good landscaper will subcontract these trades and coordinate them for you, but it's worth confirming this in your quote.
Resource Consents: A Separate Process
Beyond building consents, some projects may also need a resource consent under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). This is separate from a building consent and is assessed by your council's planning team rather than its building team. Resource consents may be required for:
- Earthworks exceeding thresholds set in your district plan
- Work near waterways, wetlands, or coastal areas
- Vegetation removal of protected trees
- Work in special character or heritage zones
Your landscaper should flag if a resource consent might be needed, but again — check with your local council's planning department to be sure.
How to Confirm Who Handles Consents
Before signing any contract, ask your landscaper these questions:
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Will you assess whether consent is needed? | Avoids surprises mid-project |
| Will you lodge the consent application on my behalf? | Clarifies responsibility |
| Are consent fees included in your quote? | Council fees can add hundreds to thousands of dollars |
| Do you hold an LBP licence for this work? | Required for restricted building work |
| Will you arrange all required inspections? | Missed inspections can cause delays |
Get the answers in writing as part of your contract.
When to Call a Professional
If your landscaping project involves any structural work, significant earthworks, pool installation, or anything that sits close to a boundary or waterway, you should engage a professional landscaper — ideally one with LBP registration or who works alongside licensed designers. For complex projects, a landscape architect or structural engineer may also need to be involved to produce the plans required for consent.
You can find qualified local landscapers and related trades on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Safety note: Never assume work is exempt from consent. Unconsented work can affect your insurance, your ability to sell your home, and in some cases create genuine safety risks for your family and neighbours.
Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
