The Grey District Council is proposing to give building owners in the region more time to bring earthquake-prone buildings up to standard.
If the policy is adopted, the deadline for strengthening work would be extended from two or three years to seven.
Council's environmental services manager Ian Davidson-Watts says there is a major shortage of engineers in the area and many building owners are struggling to meet their deadlines.
Mr Davidson-Watts says the longer timeframe would bring the Grey District Council in line with those of most other councils.
He says the policy is only an interim measure while the Government considers changing earthquake strengthening legislation.
