Registration and Licensing of Premises

Under the Health Act 1956 and Council bylaws, the businesses listed below are required to be licensed with the Council and will be inspected by an Environmental Health Officer at least once a year.

Licences of premises are renewed annually on 30 June of each year or if the business changes hands.

• Food Premises
• Camping Ground
• Funeral Homes
• Hairdressers
• Making Contact with the Environmental Services Unit

Food Premises

When you have found the site at which you want to open a food premises, first check with the Waimakariri District Council planners to check that what you want to do is a permitted activity at that particular location.

You also need to ensure that any building or plumbing works have the correct building consents.

Licensing of Food Requirements

All food premises must comply with the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 to ensure safe food production. An Environmental Health Officer can help you with this. They can do preliminary inspections at any stage of the development.

• Starting a Business Selling Food (pdf, 26 kB).

The basic requirements are:

• All food preparation and storage/display area surfaces must be continuously smooth, impervious to water, readily cleanable and light coloured.
• Floors must be coved to the walls and permanent fixtures.
• Lighting and ventilation must be adequate.
• There must be hot and cold running water and a wash hand basin must be convenient to the food preparation area and separate from other sinks.
• There should be staff toilet and changing facilities.
• You must arrange management of cleaning practices, personal hygiene policies, pest control, building maintenance and staff training.
• Registration is renewable each year from 1st July or if the business is sold.

When you are ready to open, contact the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) for an inspection and complete a Health Licence application. A fee will apply. You may not open until approval has been gained and all compliances met. 

Mobile Shops

Mobile Shops selling food must comply with the requirements set out in the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 and need to have staff trained in food hygiene. 

• Sausage Sizzles Food Handler Guidance (pdf, 323 kB).

Camping Grounds

All camping grounds must comply with the Camping Grounds Regulations 1985.

The basic requirements for camping grounds are:

• There will be specific requirements for each site and the number of ablution, laundry and kitchen facilities will be dependent on occupancy capacity.
• Paths and sites must be well marked and lit.
• Water must be available at specific space intervals and facilities must be maintained in a clean and tidy condition.
• There must be active management of record-keeping, pest control, building maintenance and cleaning practices. 

Funeral Homes

All funeral homes and funeral directors must comply with the Health (Burial) Regulations 1946.

The basic requirements are:

• Mortuary surfaces must be continuously smooth, impervious to water, readily cleanable and lightly coloured
• Floors must be coved to the walls and permanent fixtures are to be graded and drained to sewer and backflow prevention installed
• Lighting and ventilation must be adequate
• Mortuary tables must also be graded and drained
• There must be hot and cold running water and a hand basin must be convenient to the area but separate from other sinks
• Staff toilet facilities should be provided
• There must be active management of cleaning practices, personal hygiene policies, pest control, building maintenance and safe chemical storage. 

Hairdressers

All hair salons are to comply with the Hairdressers Regulations 1980.

The basic requirements for a hair salon are:

• Ensure all floors, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces are yielded smooth, impervious and easily cleanable in all parts of the process, preparation and service areas
• Ensure that there are sufficient shampoo basins, a separate hand basin and a separate washing up sink with a continuous supply of hot and cold running water
• Ensure adequate space in the salon (2.3 m² per service chair)
• Ensure adequate lighting and ventilation on site
• Provide adequate storage space and ensure all towels and equipment are kept clean from contamination from chemicals
• Provide suitable refuse containers with fitted lids
• Ensure that refuse is removed on a regular basis
• Provide a first aid kit
• Ensure that the disinfectant used for combs and hair equipment is suitable for the purpose.

Making Contact with the Environmental Services Unit

Once a prospective site for a new business is determined, contact should be made with the following people:

1. A Planning Officer to confirm that the proposed type of operation is permitted in the particular zone and if there are any requirements on operating hours, signs, car parking etc.
2. A Building Officer should be contacted and a building consent application submitted if required.
3. Once the Planners and Building Officers have approved the activity, an Environmental Health Officer can be contacted to arrange a health inspection and a health licence application submitted.

For queries or advice contact the Environmental Services Unit based at the Rangiora Service Centre, 215 High Street, Rangiora, or phone (03) 311 8900, or email Customer Services.

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