Some projects require a resource consent, this is not to be confused with a building consent and is a further requirement. You may need to apply for resource consent, depending on the requirements of the district or regional council plan.

A resource consent is formal approval from your council to do something that they haven't clearly identified in their plan as either permitted or prohibited.
It includes things like:
- Subdivision of land
- Water useage
- Discharging of contaminants 
- The way we use or occupy sites of significance, this could be a coastal, historical or visually sensitive area
Under the Resource Management Act, regional and city or district councils prepare plans to reflect the desires and aspirations of the local community in relation to natural or physical resources, and activities that affect the environment.
Every plan is different because it relates to a different geographical location. Regional councils prepare regional plans that focus on the management of air, water, land and soil while city and district councils prepare district plans that would usually focus on managing aspects of subdivision and land use that can affect the environment. 

Typically this would cover things such as the height, appearance and location of buildings and signage. Also noise levels, glare and odour associated with the activities that take place in and around buildings.
Just as council plans vary, the need for resource consents varies from one area to another.
If you don't need resource consent but want confirmation, a council can issue a certificate of compliance for permitted activities. This confirms that the activity is lawfully established in relation to the Resource Management Act. You will likely still need a building consent to meet local district council requirements.

Common situations where a Resource Consent is required for a shed project, is when a project breaches the boundary setback rule, the site coverage limit or when a property is in a specific zone which has a unique set of rules. When the council confirms an activity needs resource consent approval, the usual process is to engage a planning consultant to review the proposal before moving ahead to preparing an application. 

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