Building Work Exempt From Building Consent

A Building Consent is not required for work set out in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004.  The following is an explanation of Schedule 1.

Note: building work not requiring a Building Consent, must never the less, comply with the Building Code and any other legislation. 

The following building work does not require a building consent application:

1. From March 2008 any lawful repair and maintenance using comparable material or replacement with a comparable component or assembly in the same position is exempt building work subject to the following exceptions.
Repair and maintenance does not include:

• Substantial replacement of components contributing to the building structural behaviour or fire safety properties.
• Repair or replacement of components or assembly that have failed to satisfy the building code for durability i.e. the repair of a leaking building.
• Work associated with a water storage heater connected to a solid fuel heater, or heat exchanger with different pipe work.
  Note:
  Repairs and Maintenance between March 2005 to March 2008 allowed the reconstruction and replacement of structural members including those affected by decay as a result of weather-tightness failure without a building consent. This no longer permitted without a building consent.

2. The replacement of a hot water cylinder.

3. The replacement of a comparable wood burner in the same position.

4. Minor drainage work is drainage work that does not affect the connection to the public system. ( Must use a registered drainlayer)

5. Alterations to sanitary plumbing.  Sanitary plumbing means “generally all plumbing work associated with any sanitary fixture or appliance and includes water supply and waste pipes”. (Must use a registered plumber)

6. Replacement of windows without reducing the structural stability of the building.

7. Improving accessibility involving changes to entrance and doorways to improve accessibility without reducing the structural stability of the building.

8. Small dams. 

9. Changes to internal walls as long as:

• Structural stability is not reduced
• The walls are timber framed
• No changes are made to the means of escape.

10. Walls and fences under 2m height

11. Internal alteration to non residential buildings that do no reduce compliance with the building code in respect to:

• Means of escape from fire
• Protection of other property
• Sanitary facilities
• Fire rating performance
• Accessible facilities
  and that do not modify or affect a specified (safety) system.

12. Retaining walls under 1.5m in height and not subject to surcharge loads such as:

• Load of vehicles on an adjacent driveway
• Load that might be imposed by adjoining property development
• Upward sloping soil or earth at back of retaining wall.

13. Motorway signs, stop banks, culvert or similar structure owned by a Network utility operator.

14. Water tanks

15. Marquees to be used for a period of less than 1 month

16. Pergola’s of any size are exempt however if they are roofed they become a verandah and then should not exceed 15 square metres.

17. The construction of a deck, platform bridge or similar from which it is not possible to fall more than 1 metre if it collapses.

18. Detached special buildings not located closer than their own height from any residential accommodation or legal boundary and:

• Housing fixed plant or machinery or
• Into or out of which people can not or do not normally go or
• Is used only by people in the construction or maintenance of a building for which consent is required or
• Sheds or sleepouts of less than 10 m2 in floor area not containing sanitary fixtures or cooking facilities.

19. Enclosing a verandah to a porch if the area does not exceed 5 m2.

20. Awnings on ground or first floor level not exceeding 15 m2 in area.

21. The construction of a porch or verandah over a patio or deck not exceeding 15 m2.

22. Work for which an exemption is granted by Rodney District Council.