Feature BUILDING CONSENT EXEMPTIONS
Building work that does not require a building consent Exemptions Guidance for Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 Fifth edition - August 2020 First published - March 2014
New building consent exemptions mean some projects no longer need council sign off. Here’s what’s changed.
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he list of building work that does not require a building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 has been extended. New building consent exemptions, which came into play from 31 August 2020, are aimed at reducing the volume of consents councils have to deal with— and in turn reducing delays.
The Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), estimates councils will have 9,000 fewer consents to sign off each year, equating to annual savings of around $18 million for home and building owners. See the box below for the list of common projects in urban and rural settings that no longer require a building consent.
NO BUILDING CONSENT NEEDED These types of projects no longer need a building consent: Single-storey detached buildings, such as sleepouts, sheds and greenhouses (up to 30sq m) Carports (up to 40sq m) Ground floor awnings, verandahs and porches (up to 30sq m) Ground-mounted solar panel arrays Small pipe supporting structures (if they only carry water and are on private land) Permanent outdoor fireplaces or ovens Flexible water storage bladders for irrigation and firefighting purposes Short-span small bridges Hay barns and single-storey pole sheds in rural zones
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Make sure you are now using the updated building consent exemption guidance, available on MBIE’s Building Performance website.
Exempt building work guidance The exempt building work guidance on MBIE’s Building Performance website has been updated to reflect the new building consent exemptions. The guidance focuses on the full list of exemptions in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 and is aimed at trade and building sector professionals. Download the guidance at www.building. govt.nz/assets/Uploads/projects-andconsents/building-work-consent-notrequired-guidance.pdf
