Council & Regulatory

Code Compliance Certificate (CCC)

An official council certificate confirming that completed building work meets the requirements of the building consent and the Building Code.

What is a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC)?

A Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) is issued by the local council after building work is completed and inspected. It confirms that the work has been done in accordance with the building consent and complies with the New Zealand Building Code.

A CCC is important because it provides official confirmation that the building work was properly consented and inspected. Without a CCC, there's no council verification that the work meets minimum standards for safety, health, and durability.

Note that building consents issued before 1991 (under the old Building Act 1991 predecessor) may not have CCCs — this doesn't necessarily mean the work is non-compliant, as the CCC system didn't exist then.

Why It Matters for Due Diligence

Missing CCCs are a significant red flag. Work without a CCC may be uninsurable, and banks may reduce their lending. The LIM report will show which building consents have CCCs and which don't.

If a property has consented work without a CCC, investigate why. The owner may need to apply for a Certificate of Acceptance (COA) or a CCC retrospectively, which involves council inspections and potential remedial work.

How to Check

The LIM report lists all building consents and their CCC status. Your lawyer should flag any consents without CCCs. You can also search your council's online consent database.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the property has building work without a CCC?

The owner can apply for a CCC retrospectively (if the consent is still open) or a Certificate of Acceptance. This may require inspections and potentially invasive testing. Negotiate with the seller to resolve this before settlement.

Do I need a CCC for minor building work?

Not all building work requires a consent (and therefore a CCC). Exempt work is defined in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 and includes things like small decks, fences, and minor repairs.

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