In August 2020 the New Zealand government released the building consent changes.
The simplest explanation of the changes is that if it’s under 30m2 and its height away from a fence line then you don’t need consent.
SHEDS UNDER 10m2
EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS EXEMPT:
A 9 square metre sleepout is constructed in the backyard of a residential dwelling. It is more than its own height away from all boundaries and the associated residential dwelling, and does not contain cooking or sanitary
facilities, or a potable water supply.
Owners of a childcare centre intend to build a 10 square metres detached building to serve as a staff retreat area. The proposed building will be more than its own height away from the boundaries. It contains no potable water supply and no facilities for cooking or sanitation.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004
Single-storey detached buildings not exceeding 10 square metres in floor area
1. Building work in connection with any detached building that:
(a). is not more than 1 storey (being a floor level of up to 1 metre above the supporting ground and a height of up to 3.5 metres above the floor
level); and
(b). does not exceed 10 square metres in floor area; and
(c). does not contain sanitary facilities or facilities for the storage of potable water; and
(d). does not include sleeping accommodation, unless the building is used in connection with a dwelling and does not contain any cooking facilities.
2. However, subclause (1) does not include building work in connection with a building that is closer than the measure of its own height to any residential building or to any legal boundary.
SHEDS BETWEEN 10m2 AND 30m2
EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS EXEMPT:
1. The owners of a commercial property intend to construct a 20 square metre detached building to serve as a garage. The proposed building will be more than its own height away from the boundaries, it contains no potable
water supply, and no facilities for cooking or sanitation. The owners want to construct the building from the lightweight materials in accordance with the technical requirements of the Building Code as specified in B1/AS1.
2. A 28 square metre sleepout is constructed in the backyard of a residential dwelling. It is more than its own height away from all boundaries and the associated residential dwelling, and does not contain cooking or sanitary facilities, or a potable water supply. The design complies with the technical requirements of the Building Code for the lightweight material per B1/AS1. Subsequently, the construction is carried out in accordance with that design.
3. A 26 square metre detached single garage is constructed on a concrete slab of a property with a residential dwelling. It is more than its own height away from all boundaries and the associated residential dwelling, and does not contain cooking or sanitary facilities, or a potable water supply. Plans and specifications comply with the technical requirements of the Building Code for the lightweight timber material per B1/AS1. Subsequently, the work is carried out in accordance with that design.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Single-storey detached buildings exceeding 10, but not exceeding 30, square metres in floor area, constructed of lightweight material
1. Building work in connection with any detached building that—
(a). is not more than 1 storey (being a floor level of up to 1 metre above the supporting ground and a height of up to 3.5 metres above the floor level); and
(b). exceeds 10 square metres in floor area, but does not exceed 30 square metres; and
(c). is built using lightweight wall and roof materials, and in accordance with acceptable solution B1/AS1 for timber or steel buildings; and
(d). does not contain sanitary facilities or facilities for the storage of potable water; and
(e). does not include sleeping accommodation, unless the building is used in connection with a dwelling and does not contain any cooking facilities;
and
(f). if it includes sleeping accommodation, has smoke alarms installed.
2. (2) However, subclause (1) does not include building work in connection with a building that is closer than the measure of its own height to any residential building or to any legal boundary.
PREFABRICATED OR KITSET SHEDS NOT EXCEEDING 30m2
EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS EXEMPT
1. The owners of a commercial property intend to construct a 30 square metre detached building to serve as a garage. The proposed building will be more than its own height away from the boundaries and it contains no potable water supply and no facilities for cooking or sanitation. The owners want to buy a pre-engineered kitset from a proprietary product supplier or manufacturer which has been signed off by a chartered professional engineer for design. The kitset is then installed by the property owner in accordance with the instruction manual.
2. A 25 square metre sleepout is constructed in the backyard of a residential dwelling. It is more than its own height away from all boundaries and the associated residential dwelling, and does not contain cooking or sanitary facilities, or a potable water supply. Plans and specifications associated with the kitsets and prefabs are signed off by a chartered professional engineer. Subsequently, the work is carried out in accordance with that design.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Single-storey detached buildings exceeding 10, but not exceeding 30, square metres in floor area (where kitset or prefabricated)
1. Building work in connection with any detached building if—
(a). the building is a kitset or prefabricated building, and the product manufacturer or supplier has complied with subclause (3); and
(b). the building work is carried out in accordance with the design referred to in subclause (3); and
(c). the building—
(i). is not more than 1 storey (being a floor level of up to 1 metre above the supporting ground and a height of up to 3.5 metres above the floor level); and
(ii). exceeds 10 square metres in floor area, but does not exceed 30 square metres; and
(iii). does not contain sanitary facilities or facilities for the storage of potable water; and
(iv). does not include sleeping accommodation, unless the building is used in connection with a dwelling and does not contain any cooking facilities; and
(v). if it includes sleeping accommodation, has smoke alarms installed.
2. However, subclause (1) does not include building work in connection with a building that is closer than the measure of its own height to any residential building or to any legal boundary.
3. The product manufacturer or supplier (as defined in section 14G) must have had the design of the building carried out or reviewed by a chartered professional engineer.
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