Motorhomes as Temporary Accommodation

Members have been advised by local authorities and other organisations to obtain resource and building consents prior to using their motorhomes for temporary accommodation purposes on private property, e.g. when building a new house or renovating an existing dwelling.

Unfortunately, some of the advice received is inconsistent with the prevailing legislation. The use of motorhomes for temporary accommodation purposes on private property may be restricted under either the Resource Management Act 1991 or the Building Act 2004.

Both these Acts operate independently and just because you comply with one it does not mean you comply with the other.

The following article clarifies when resource and building consents are required to legitimately undertake this activity.

Article – Using your motorhome for temporary accommodation on private property (1MB) DOWNLOAD HERE

This article was written by James Imlach – Resource Management Planner for the NZMCA, and reviewed by Chris Timbs, Solicitor, Gallaway Cook Allan Lawyers. We acknowledge and greatly appreciate the assistance of Chris and Gallaway Cook Allan Lawyers in preparing this article and in a number of resource management matters around New Zealand.

Referenced material:

- Environmental Defence Society (offences under the Resource Management Act 1991)

- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (penalties under the Building Act 2004)

- Thames-Coromandel District Council v Te Puru Holiday Park Ltd and Anor [2010] NZCA 633 (CA)] (61KB) DOWNLOAD HERE

- Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (Determination 2013/055: regarding the issue of notices to fix in respect of two units and a deck at 35 Charles Street, Takapau, and whether the two units are buildings or vehicles) (124KB) DOWNLOAD HERE