Building Consent Exemptions
Effective 1 September 2020, additional building consent exemptions are being added to the Building Act, for a number of low-risk building projects, like sleepouts, garages and carports.
The new exemptions will save building owners time and money, by not having to go to their local council for consent for common, low risk building work. This reduction in building consents will also allow councils to focus on building work that is higher risk, helping to boost productivity.
The new exemptions apply to the following Versatile buildings:
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Sleepouts and Garages up to 30m²
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Carports up to 40m²
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Single-storey pole sheds or hay barns in a rural zone with a maximum floor area of 110m² in a wind zone no greater than High
These exemptions mean you can build these buildings and not obtain a building consent, if:
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The manufacturer or supplier has had the design carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer, or
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A Licensed Building Practitioner is to carry out or supervise the design and construction.
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The building does not have any plumbing work (kitchen, bathroom or laundry). Any plumbing work included in a new building still requires a building consent.
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Any electrical work will have to be carried out by a registered electrician.
Building work that does not require a building consent must still comply with the Building Code and other legislative requirements, such as those under the Resource Management Act 1991, the Electricity Act 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Find out further information by viewing our brochure on consent exemptions, or the MBIE Guidance for building without a consent.
We offer free on-site consultations from our experienced team, who can help you best plan and position your building design, and we are the experts in local council consents and permissions.
To start planning and designing your Versatile garage, get in touch with the experts today!