Stormwater Drainage

You may need a legal point of discharge (LPOD) permit if you are planning to build or renovate your property.

Legal point of discharge is required as part of an application for permit to build (building regulations) and is normally obtained by your building surveyor as part of this process.          

Your LPD report will provide information in accordance with the Building Act, the point of connection, advice on the location of any Council drains, and advice on additional building and planning requirements.

We determine where stormwater from a property may lawfully discharge e.g. underground pipe or street channel. This information will be given in written on request.

Legal point of discharge application form

Once you submit the application and fee, we will provide a written report via email detailing the information.

If you are required to obtain our approval for your drainage plan, please complete this form(PDF, 885KB).

Applicants should allow up to 10 working days for their permit to be issued.

Please ensure the information provided on the application form is clear and complete. Incomplete information may extend the time required to process the permit.

What does the permit provide?

The legal point of discharge (LPOD) permit provides a report that specifies the point where stormwater from your property must be discharged.

You will be sent:

• the location of the legal point of discharge
• information on the Council drain; such as size, depth and/or offsets relevant to the area nominated in the application form (if applicable)
• a standard drawing of the pipe connection required
• a letter detailing additional conditions.

Will this permit tell me where my existing drainage is discharging to?

No. While we have information of where stormwater should discharge to, we do not receive information about where the property's stormwater is connected to. A plumber would likely be a better option.

Who is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the stormwater pipe from the house to the Council drain?

The property owner is responsible for all stormwater drainage within their property and the section of stormwater drain from the property to the Council drain, as shown on the image.