What it is
Many zonings list uses that are permitted only with the municipality's consent, for example a guest house, place of instruction, additional dwelling or home business. A consent use application asks for that permission without changing the underlying zoning. Terminology differs between municipalities.
When you may need it
- You want to run a business, crèche or guest house from a residential property
- You are adding a second dwelling where the scheme requires consent
- A telecommunications or utility installation requires consent under the scheme
What our work includes
- Confirmation that the proposed use is listed as a consent use in the applicable scheme
- Application, motivation and site layout
- Neighbour notification and public participation management where required
- Responses to comments and attendance at hearings where needed
The broad process
- 1.Check the scheme and title conditions
- 2.Prepare and submit the application
- 3.Notification of affected parties
- 4.Municipal evaluation and decision
- 5.Compliance with any conditions
Documents commonly required
- Copy of the title deed (later stage, not at enquiry)
- Surveyor-General diagram or general plan
- Zoning certificate or current land-use information
- Power of attorney and owner consent where applicable
You don’t need these to make an initial enquiry.
What affects cost and duration
- Professional planning fees for preparation and motivation
- Municipal application fees set by the relevant municipality
- Advertising and notice costs where public participation is required
- Specialist reports (for example traffic, engineering services or environmental)
We provide a project-specific quotation that separates professional fees from municipal charges, advertising and specialist costs. Timeframes vary with scope, completeness, objections, specialist work and municipal processing.
Limitations
Consent may be granted with conditions or for a limited period, and may be refused. A consent use does not override restrictive title conditions.
Questions
Consent use or rezoning — which do I need?
If the scheme lists your use as a consent use in the current zoning, consent is usually the simpler route. If not, rezoning may be needed. We confirm this after reviewing the property.