Certificate of Acceptance Applications in Auckland
A practical pathway for building work completed without the required consent — assessed, documented and taken through to council on your behalf.
Book a ConsultationA Certificate of Acceptance (COA) can generally be sought for building work that was completed without a required building consent, or in limited circumstances where a Code Compliance Certificate cannot be issued. It confirms the work meets the building code to the extent it can be assessed after the fact.
CodeCompliance manages the full COA process for Auckland property owners — from the first assessment of the existing work through to the final council decision — so you have a documented, council-recognised outcome without having to navigate the process yourself.
How we manage your COA application
Assess the completed work against the current property file and consent history
Determine whether a COA is the correct pathway for your situation
Arrange any drawings, engineering input, or specialist reports required to support the application
Coordinate licensed builders and trades where remedial work is needed before the application can proceed
Prepare and lodge the COA application with Auckland Council
Manage all council correspondence, inspections and follow-up requests through to a decision
Evidence council typically expects
Photographs of the completed work, including areas that are normally concealed once finished
Existing plans or as-built drawings of the work
Producer statements or engineering reports, where structural or specialist work is involved
Trade certificates for electrical, gas, or drainage work carried out
Every property and every piece of unconsented work is different, so timeframes and requirements vary. Auckland Council makes the final decision on any COA application — we prepare the strongest possible case and manage the process, but cannot guarantee approval or a specific timeframe.
What council typically looks for during a COA inspection
Auckland Council assesses unconsented work 'to the extent reasonably practicable' — meaning what can still be seen and tested without opening up walls or removing finishes. The inspection focuses on what is accessible.
Structural elements visible at the time of inspection — framing, fixings, foundations where exposed
Weathertightness at external junctions — cladding, roofing, window and door joinery
Plumbing and drainage, including any trade certificates from licensed plumbers or drainlayers
Wet area waterproofing, where the wet area is accessible for inspection
Insulation and ventilation in habitable rooms and wet areas
Fire safety provisions where required by the Building Code
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Services
COA vs CCC
Two different pathways for two different situations — here's how to tell which one applies to your property.
Unconsented Building Work
Kitchens, bathrooms, garages, decks and extensions completed without consent — assessed, documented and taken through the right compliance pathway.
Selling Without a CCC
Discovering a compliance gap during a sale process is stressful and time-sensitive — we assess the situation quickly and manage it for you.
Get In Touch
Need help with a COA, CCC, or property compliance issue? Tell us what's happening and we'll guide you through the next steps.
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A quick conversation can help you avoid the wrong application, missing documents, and unnecessary delays.