Certificate for Public Use
Certificate for Public Use
A Certificate for Public Use is issued by the Council and ensures that a commercial premise is safe for members of the public to use while work under a building consent is carried out. You need a Certificate for Public Use if you intend the public to have access to all or part of the premises (either during construction or on completion) prior to the issue of the Code Compliance Certificate. Your application will need to show how the building can be used safely by members of the public.
Premises intended for public use are likely to include, but are not limited to:
• schools and childcare centres
• hospitals and rest homes
• premises providing public accommodation, such as hostels and guest houses
• places of assembly, including churches, cinemas, and conference facilities
• clubrooms and recreation centres with public access
• restaurants and bars
• public foyers in office and apartment buildings
• public structures.
The requirement for a certificate for public use doesn't apply:
• to private homes
• to apartment buildings or office space (except where they have public foyers)
• if the building work doesn't require a building consent (such as a non-structural fit-out of a shop or office).
See further information at Public access during a build | Building Performance
An incomplete application or lack of supporting information will mean that your application cannot be accepted for processing, and an inspection will be refused which will delay the issue of the CPU.
If you don't have a certificate for public use, you could be fined up to $200,000, and fined up to a further $20,000 for every day or part of a day the offence continues.
