Brothels and commercial sex premises

High Court ruling on council's bylaw relating to the location of brothels | Viewing the bylaw | Brothel licence applications | Dispensation from the bylaw

Brothel licence applications

(Following a High Court ruling the section of the council's bylaw dealing with the location of brothels is no longer valid.)

If you want to operate a brothel you must obtain a licence as set out in Part 30.6 of the bylaw (Brothels and commercial sex premises).

All brothel licences expire on 31 July of each year.

To apply

pdf icon The maps and application form are in Portable Document Files format (PDFs) for which you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here for more information about this format.

Step 1 Complete the application form in full including the questionnaire.
Download the Brothel licence application form (18k)

The questionnaire within the application form will help you determine whether you need to also apply for a dispensation from the bylaw (ie, if the brothel does not meet requirements under the bylaw).

To complete the questionnaire, you will need to refer to the relevant map (depending on the location of your premises) showing location controls for brothels.

Central area map (1m)

Auckland isthmus map (1,024k)

Waiheke map (1,206k)

Step 2 Send supporting documentation
In addition to the form you must provide a copy of the following documents in order for the licence to be processed:

current planning certificate
in the interim, if you do not have a copy of your planning certificate, Auckland City will do the check internally

current building certificate

current warrant of fitness (for the building)

required operator certificates (current)

dispensation (or proof of lodgement if a dispensation is required (existing brothels only))

copy of current health/liquor licences

Step 3 Send the completed licence application to:
Auckland City Council, Private Bag 92516, Wellesley Street, Auckland Central.

the annual licence fee is $591

a new premises application fee may also apply

Please contact us if you need more information or advice.

Updated July 2008