Resource consents for new businesses

If you’re going to start your own business, buy an existing business or change or expand your current business there are some things about where you want to locate and how you will operate your business that you should consider. Any environmental effects of locating and operating your business are considered under the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Your business will probably be located and operated in a community where people live, play, shop and work.  The things you do at your business premises can affect those living around you, just as their activities can affect you.  Effects could be positive, such as added vitality for your locality, or negative, such as increased noise or decreased water quality.

The Resource Management Act requires district/city and regional councils to address these types of effects in plans that help them manage the environment. These plans contain rules and standards for activities that might affect the environment. 

If your business activity doesn’t fit within the rules and standards you may need a resource consent before you can operate. Both regional councils and district and city councils have plans and rules which could affect you setting up your business.  When the council considers your application for resource consent, it follows the processes set out in the RMA.

So… early in your planning for your new business, it pays to check out what the district/city and regional plans say about what you want to do and where you want to do it.

Read more on the  Ministry for the Environment website:

• What does this mean for me?
• What does the resource consent process involve?
• How to get some help
• Some things to consider...