Safe distance requirements between conductors and buildings

What does section 3 apply to? 

Section 3 applies to all current and future buildings, structures and scaffolds that will exist near power lines. This includes extensions to existing buildings and scaffolding existing buildings. 

Key Distances for Section 3 

The recommended safe distances for buildings and structures from the overhead powerlines are listed in NZECP34 Table 2 (replicated below).  

• These distances differ depending on the voltage of the overhead power lines and the length of the span (distance between the power poles). 
• These distances are combined to form a rectangle, with measurements taken from the closest powerline (not the power pole). 
• Only non-invasive measuring techniques should be used - do not attempt to touch the powerlines with any measuring tools. 
• Where the power poles are on different elevations, larger distances may apply.  

Where these distances cannot be maintained, a powerline movement engineering report must be completed. 

Please refer to NZECP34, table 2 (replicated above) for the distances that apply at points ‘X’ and ‘Y’ in the diagram below in different circumstances. 

Confirming your Section 3 Requirements 

Power lines and their voltages 

Before planning or starting any works, you should check for the presence of overhead power lines on or near your property. High voltage powerlines have large recommended safe distances (8+ meters). 

Confirm the voltage of any overhead power lines on or near your property by contacting cacrequest@vector.co.nz.  

Compliance to NZECP 34 table 2 – New buildings or structures 

With the power line voltage information, the new building or structure can be designed to be outside of the recommended safe distances of NZECP 34 Table 2. 

If required, Vector can provide written confirmation of NZECP 34 Table 2 compliance. To receive this, you must provide the following to cacrequest@vector.co.nz: 

• Resource or Building Consent number 
• Site survey that includes locations of power poles and power lines 
• Building plans that include distances between buildings and boundaries 
• Size of scaffold that will be used for construction 

If you choose to design your building or structure within recommended safe distances of NZECP 34 Table 2, please read through Compliance to NZECP 34 Table 3 - Powerline movement engineering reports below. 

In some instances, where your building and scaffold comply with Table 2, there may be an additional close approach consent requirement under Section 9. Click here to check this requirement 

Compliance to NZECP 34 table 2 – Existing buildings or structures 

If you are wanting to complete maintenance on an existing building or structure, please provide the following information to cacrequest@vector.co.nz:  

• Description of proposed works 
• Distance between current building/structure and boundary lines 
• Distance between centreline of power poles and boundary lines 
• If you are planning to use a scaffold, the size of the scaffold 

With this information, our team will assess what next steps are required. This may involve a powerline movement engineering assessment. 

Compliance to NZECP 34 table 3 - Powerline movement engineering reports 

If your building or structure is or will be closer to the power lines than the recommended safe distances of NZECP 34 Table 2, you are required to provide a powerline movement engineering report to Vector before starting any works BEFORE starting any works. 

• Contact one of the electrical engineering consultants listed below for a powerline movement engineering assessment. 
• If your works will require scaffold, there is additional information you will need to prepare. Please see consult this list: Scaffolds near powerlines – required information 
• We also recommend you read through our frequently asked questions. 
  

Electrical engineering consultants 

If you require power line movement reports, the following consultants have been verified to provide these services to Vector standards: