From today, Tauranga City Council will no longer be issuing paper consents as it releases a new online system for the process.
Building Consents Online is aimed at both home owners and industry professionals, and helping them through the whole process - from pre-application to the issuing of a Code Compliance Certificate.
It also equips home owners with the tools to find out whether building consents are required for their planned DIY projects such as fences or decks.
General manager of environmental services Rebecca Perrett said: "We're always looking for ways we can adapt to meet our customers' changing needs, and to manage the growth we're currently seeing in Tauranga."
The number of building consents issued has grown from 2177 in 2014-2015 to 2723 in 2015-2016.