What Building Work Can I Do Without a Building Consent in NZ?

Not every building project in New Zealand needs a building consent.

Certain types of work can legally be completed without consent, provided the work meets the conditions of the relevant exemption. Most of these exemptions are contained in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 and are intended to allow qualifying lower-risk work to proceed without going through the full building consent process.

But there is an important distinction:

Not needing a building consent doesn't mean there are no rules.

Exempt building work still needs to comply with the Building Code. Depending on what you're doing, there may also be conditions around the size, location, design and use of the structure, and requirements around who is authorised to carry out or supervise particular work. Understanding that distinction is much more useful than simply working from a list of things that supposedly “don't need consent.”

What Building Work Can Be Done Without Consent?

Schedule 1 covers a surprisingly broad range of building work.

Depending on the circumstances, exemptions can apply to:

• certain repairs, maintenance and replacement work

• some internal alterations

• certain detached buildings

• some windows, doors and walls

• specified plumbing and drainage work

• insulation and ground moisture barriers

• certain porches, verandas, awnings and pergolas

• some decks and platforms

• carports

• some fences and retaining walls

• tanks and a range of other specified structures.

The important words are “depending on the circumstances.”

Each exemption has its own conditions. Size, height, location, intended use, construction method and the professionals involved can all affect whether the exemption applies.

That means two projects that homeowners might describe in exactly the same way—“I'm just building a shed” or “I'm replacing what's already there”—can have different consent requirements.

Repairs and Maintenance: When Is “Like for Like” Exempt?

There are exemptions that allow certain existing building components to be repaired, maintained or replaced without building consent.

But “we're replacing it with the same thing” isn't a universal exemption.

The Building Act places conditions around what can be replaced without consent, particularly where the work affects structural behaviour, specified systems, fire safety or components that have failed to meet their durability requirements.

This can become particularly relevant with work involving cladding, roofing, windows and other parts of the building envelope.

What you're replacing is only part of the question. Why it needs replacing, how much is being replaced and what the component does within the building can also matter.

For an experienced building professional, those details help establish whether the work fits within an exemption or whether another pathway should be considered.

How Big Can I Build Without Consent?

There isn't one maximum size that applies to everything.

Different exemptions apply to different types of structures and have their own conditions.

For example, Schedule 1 contains exemptions that can allow certain single-storey detached buildings up to 30m² to be constructed without building consent. Which exemption applies can depend on the design, construction method and whether appropriately qualified professionals are involved.

The intended use matters as well.

The ordinary Schedule 1 detached-building exemptions don't allow you to simply build a small self-contained home. They are designed for simple spaces that exclude cooking or sanitary facilities, such as a kitchen or bathroom.

So when you're considering a cabin, sleepout, shed, studio or similar structure, floor area alone doesn't tell you whether it can be built without consent.

The purpose of the building matters too.

What About the New 70m² Granny Flat Exemption?

Since 15 January 2026, a separate exemption under Schedule 1A of the Building Act allows certain new standalone dwellings of up to 70m² to be built without a building consent.

This doesn't mean any dwelling under 70m² can simply be built without consent. There are specific eligibility, design, construction, professional and Council requirements that must be satisfied.

It is also important that this exemption applies to a new, standalone, single-storey dwelling. It isn't a general exemption allowing 70m² to be added to an existing house or an existing building to be converted into a dwelling.

Thinking about a second dwelling? Our separate guide explains the 70m² granny-flat exemption, who can use it and the process involved.

Does Exempt Work Still Need a Qualified Professional?

Sometimes—and this is one of the areas where the phrase “no consent required” can be misleading.

Some Schedule 1 work can be undertaken without an authorised professional. Other exemptions specifically require an appropriately authorised person to carry out, supervise, design or review the work.

Depending on the exemption, that might involve an LBP, Chartered Professional Engineer, registered architect, certifying plumber or drainlayer, or another appropriately authorised professional.

So there are actually two separate questions:

Does this work require building consent?

and

Who is legally and practically appropriate to carry it out?

The answer to the first question doesn't automatically answer the second.

What About a Record of Work?

A Record of Work is only required when the work is Restricted Building Work. Restricted Building Work generally includes structural or weathertightness work on residential buildings.

For most work carried out under the ordinary Schedule 1 exemptions, a Record of Work isn't required.

The new 70m² standalone-dwelling pathway is different. Certain work remains Restricted Building Work, so Records of Work and other documentation are still required despite the dwelling not requiring a building consent.

This is a good example of why “building consent exempt” shouldn't be interpreted as “nothing needs to be documented.”

Does Council Need to Know About Exempt Building Work?

Ordinary exempt work doesn't go through the usual building consent process. That means there generally isn't a building consent application, the usual Council building inspections or a Code Compliance Certificate at the end.

However, having a record of significant exempt work can still be useful.

Homeowners can provide information about exempt work to Council for inclusion on the property file. Keeping your own documentation—such as plans, photographs, invoices, specifications and information about who completed the work—can also make it easier to establish what was done later.

Some exemption pathways have their own Council requirements. The 70m² standalone-dwelling exemption, for example, involves Council even though a building consent isn't required: a PIM is required and prescribed information must be provided as the project progresses.

This distinction is important:

No building consent doesn't necessarily mean no Council involvement, no documentation and no professional responsibility.

And for most homeowners, it shouldn't be necessary to navigate those requirements alone.

If you're engaging a builder for more substantial work, part of their role should be helping you understand what pathway applies, identifying when other professionals or Council input are needed, and making sure the appropriate documentation is dealt with as the work progresses.

What About Renovations and House Extensions?

Renovations and extensions can move beyond straightforward exempt work when they affect the structure or weathertightness of the existing home.

This can include work such as removing or altering load-bearing walls, changing structural beams, modifying roof framing or trusses, creating new openings in exterior walls, altering the exterior building envelope, or connecting a new extension into the existing structure and roof.

There can also be consent considerations when renovating bathrooms, changing plumbing and drainage, or making other substantial alterations within the existing home.

The important distinction is that an exemption applying to a detached shed, carport or other standalone structure doesn't automatically apply when you're altering or adding to an existing house.

Building Consent Exempt Doesn't Mean Every Other Approval Is Exempt

Building consent and resource consent deal with different aspects of a project, so work that is exempt from building consent can still be affected by Auckland's planning rules.

Depending on your property and what you're proposing, considerations can include how close you are building to a boundary, the height and size of the structure, how much of the site is being covered by buildings, protected trees or heritage features, natural hazards, and overlays or other planning controls applying to the property.

There can also be restrictions where proposed work is close to public drainage or other infrastructure, even though the building work itself may qualify for a building consent exemption.

This means a shed, carport, deck or other structure may meet the requirements for a building consent exemption but still need to be checked against the planning rules applying to that particular property.

If you're trying to establish which approvals apply to your project, we explain the distinction in more detail here:

Building Consent vs Resource Consent in Auckland: What's the Difference?

That guide explains what each consent deals with, the types of property and project constraints that can trigger further investigation, and why a project can require building consent, resource consent, both—or in some cases neither.

What If the Work Is Just Outside an Exemption?

There is another pathway homeowners often don't know exists.

If proposed work is only marginally outside the scope of a Schedule 1 exemption, Council may be able to approve a discretionary exemption.

This is something an experienced builder can identify as a possible option when assessing the work. If it appears appropriate, they can discuss the proposed work with Council and establish whether a discretionary exemption is worth pursuing.

Council ultimately decides whether the exemption can be granted, but knowing that the pathway exists can sometimes avoid putting a project through a full building consent process unnecessarily.

What If Work Was Done Without Consent When It Needed One?

If you discover building work that was completed without a required consent, there may still be pathways available to resolve it.

The first step is usually establishing what work was done, what approvals should have been obtained, and what records or information are available. From there, appropriate building professionals and Council can help determine what investigation, documentation or remedial work may be required.

A Certificate of Acceptance may be one possible pathway, depending on the circumstances.

Unconsented work doesn't necessarily mean there is no way forward. The important thing is establishing what you're dealing with before deciding how to resolve it.

If you've discovered unconsented building work in your home and aren't sure what to do next, get in touch with Alder Homes. We can help you understand the work that's been done and where to start.

Know Your Obligations and Do Your Due Diligence

The Building Act places responsibilities on building owners, including making sure building work carried out on their property follows the correct requirements. If you're relying on a building consent exemption, it's worth understanding which exemption is being used and why the proposed work qualifies for it.

You don't need to interpret every technical requirement yourself, but you should ask questions. If you're uncertain about the advice you've received, you can also contact your local Council and ask them to confirm whether the proposed pathway is appropriate.

The professionals you choose are an important part of that due diligence. An experienced, appropriately qualified builder should understand the requirements relevant to the work they're undertaking, recognise when something needs further investigation, and know when a designer, engineer, specialist or Council needs to become involved.

For more substantial projects, there may be several requirements working together. A good building professional should be able to explain what pathway is being followed, what needs to happen and who is responsible for each part of it.

Doing your due diligence doesn't mean managing the technical process yourself. It means asking the right questions and making sure the people you engage are appropriately qualified and giving you advice you can have confidence in.

MBIE also provides guidance for homeowners on their responsibilities when undertaking building work. Read MBIE's homeowner guidance →

Starting With the Right Advice

At Alder Homes, we work through these questions as part of understanding a proposed project.

We start with what you're hoping to achieve and look at that in the context of your existing home and property. From there, we can help determine what needs to be investigated and whether the next step involves straightforward building work, an exemption, further professional input or a consented project.

Where designers, engineers or other specialists need to become involved, we can help bring those people into the project and coordinate the information needed to move forward.

You don't need to establish the entire pathway before you contact a builder. Establishing the pathway is part of the process.

If you're considering changes to your Auckland home and aren't sure where your project sits, an initial conversation is a good place to begin.

For homeowners who want to check the exemptions themselves, MBIE also provides detailed guidance for each category of exempt building work through Building Performance — Work You Can Do Without a Building Consent.