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Earthquake-prone building notices

If a building is confirmed to be earthquake-prone the Council will issue an earthquake-prone building notice.

About the different types of notices

There are four types of notices, with the different borders indicating the type of earthquake-prone building.

Where to display earthquake-prone building notices

Notices with an orange and black striped border

Notices with an orange and black striped border are for buildings with an earthquake rating of 0% to less than 20% NBS, or where no engineering assessment has been provided and the earthquake rating has not been determined.

If the building has an earthquake rating of less than 20% the risk of collapse in a moderate earthquake is approximately more than 25 times the risk of failure for buildings that are 100% NBS.

Notices with a black and white striped border

Notices with a white and black striped border are for buildings that have an earthquake rating of 20% to less than 34%. 

The risk of collapse in a moderate earthquake is approximately 10–25 times the risk of failure for buildings that are 100% NBS.

Notices with a solid orange border

Notices with an orange border are for buildings that were confirmed to be earthquake-prone prior to 1 July 2017, where the earthquake rating is not known.

Notices with an orange and white striped border

Notices with an orange and white striped border are for buildings that have been granted an exemption from having to carry out seismic work.

Exemptions from having to carry out seismic work

Notices with a solid red border

Notices with a solid red border are for buildings where the Council has restricted access due to safety concerns. If you see this notice on a building you must not approach or enter the building.

All earthquake-prone buildings in Wellington are listed in the national public register.

Register of earthquake-prone buildings (EPB Register)

What this means for buildings identified before 1 July 2017

Buildings confirmed to be earthquake-prone prior to 1 July 2017 were issued notices that look different to the new versions. These notices are commonly referred to as yellow, orange or red notices because of the colour of the paper they are printed on.

Need help?

Email: buildingresilience@wcc.govt.nz 
Phone: 04 499 4444