Whakapuare whare kairau, pakihi tōkai rānei Open a brothel or a commercial sex business

• Check with one of our planning officers if you can operate a business at the address. Some city areas are zoned to prevent commercial activity. Planners will advise about operating requirements, including parking and lighting.
• You will need a building consent if you are building a new business site or altering an existing building. Examples of the work that requires building consent include building and plumbing alterations, partitions and ventilation.

Contact us to discuss your plans.

Brothel businesses do not need a licence from us. You will need an operator certificate from the Ministry of Justice under the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 to make sure the brothel workers are protected.

You must comply with minimum standards of Health and Hygiene Bylaw 2013 for commercial sexual services.

These standards ensure you offer services in a safe and hygienic manner.

For more information, visit:

• Health and Hygiene Bylaw 2013
• Health and beauty businesses - Codes of practice
• Permanent business premises: Code of practice summary

Depending on your business plans, you may also need an alcohol licence and a food registration. 

​How to complain about a brothel or commercial sex business

We can regulate the location of brothels and control advertising signage for commercial sex services through planning requirements and bylaws.

Contact us to report a problem.