Solid Fuel Heaters

All liquid and solid fuel heaters, including wood, pellet and diesel burners, require building consent. Check the information below before you purchase or install this type of heater.

The consent process

If you are looking to install a liquid or solid fuel heater, you will need to complete a solid fuel heater application form and pay the lodgement fee stipulated on page 5 before the application will be accepted for vetting/processing. Depending on how you intend to lodge for building consent (paper or electronic) the building consent process will vary.

After the building consent is approved

When the consent has been approved and sent back to you (paper application by post and electronic applications will be emailed back to the applicant), you are then able to install the fire. Note: the solid/liquid fuel heater must be inspected before it can be used. Please note that using your fire without an inspection could jeopardise your insurance and possibly the ability of Council to issue the Code Compliance Certificate.

Which solid fuel heaters can be installed within the Rotorua Region

You can view the list of approved wood burners on the Ministry for the Environment website. Generally, local fire appliance retailers know the rules and can offer advice on the types of wood burners, pellet fires and diesel burners available to you.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) sets the rules for discharge of domestic heating appliances. To read more about what is required check out BOPRC's Air Quality Guide. For all enquires contact Bay of Plenty Regional Council directly: phone 0800 844 880 or email info@boprc.govt.nz.

Installing second-hand fuel burners

Second-hand solid and liquid fuel burners can only be installed when:

Clean Air approval can be established - contact Bay of Plenty Regional Council for further information; and
A durability certificate is provided. This could be issued by the manufacturer or manufacturers' agent; and
A new inner flue is installed.

Heating systems that don't need a building consent

You can install these heating systems without needing a building consent:

Gas fires installed by a registered gas fitter; and/or
Heat pumps installed by a registered electrician.