3 minute read
Exempt from consent
New building consent exemptions mean some projects no longer need council sign off. Here’s what’s changed.
The list of building work that does The Ministry of Building, Innovation not require a building consent and Employment (MBIE), estimates under Schedule 1 of the Building councils will have 9,000 fewer consents Act 2004 has been extended. to sign off each year, equating to annual
New building consent exemptions, savings of around $18 million for home which came into play from 31 August and building owners. See the box below 2020, are aimed at reducing the volume for the list of common projects in urban of consents councils have to deal with— and rural settings that no longer require and in turn reducing delays. a building consent.
NO BUILDING
CONSENT NEEDED
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 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
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
Turn that dream into a reality.
From 31 August 2020, some building projects no longer need a building consent.
Sleepouts, sheds and greenhouses Carports Ground-floor awnings, verandas and porches
Solar panel arrays Permanent outdoor fireplaces and ovens and more
For safe and sound buildings, all work must meet the building code and some work requires a professional. Find out more at building.govt.nz/buildit
MBIE is promoting the new exemptions to consumers through its Build It campaign.
MBIE is running a Build It campaign to promote the new exemptions, and is reminding homeowners that all projects must still adhere to the Building Code and other relevant laws.
It is also advising them that they must hire a professional to get certain work done, such as plumbing, gas and drainage.
Single-storey detached building exemption Although single-storey detached buildings up to 30sq m no longer need a building consent, kitchen and bathroom facilities are not included in the exemption. If the property owner intends to have plumbing fixtures installed within the building, then a building consent for the whole building is required (which includes the structure and plumbing/drainage work). It’s important to note that the installation of additional sanitary fixtures in any building triggers the requirement for a building consent.
Options for single-storey detached buildings (all with a maximum floor area of 30sq m) include:
Kitset or prefab buildings where a manufacturer or supplier has had the design carried out or reviewed by a Chartered
Professional Engineer
Buildings where a Licensed Building Practitioner is to carry out or supervise design and construction
Buildings built by a non-professional where only lightweight materials with structural components built in according to
Building Code compliance document B1/AS1 are used.
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