What Building Work Can I Do Without Consent in NZ?

Not every job on your home needs consent. That’s where Schedule 1 of the building Act comes in. It sets out the building work you can do without applying for a building consent. The idea is to streamline smaller, low-risk projects such as maintenance and minor alterations.

But here’s the important part: even if consent isn’t needed, all work must still comply with the Building Code and other laws. As the homeowner, it’s your responsibility to make sure the work is legal, safe, and durable.

What building work can I do without consent?

These examples fall under schedule 1 of the building act and do not need consent:

• Small garden sheds or carports (up to certain sizes)

• Retaining walls under 1.5m high (if not near a driveway or boundary)

• Fences up to 2.5m high

• Low-level decks under 1.5m high

• Minor internal alterations (that don’t affect structure, weathertightness, or fire safety)

A qualified builder can usually help with this type of general maintenance and minor building work without needing council consent.

More Specific Work That Can Be Exempt

Some bigger jobs can also fall under Schedule 1 — but they need to be assessed carefully:

• Replacing windows or doors in the same position, provided the originals have not failed durability.

• Repairing or maintaining cladding with comparable materials in the same position, so long as it’s not a substantial replacement and the existing cladding hasn’t failed durability.

• Certain other projects like farm buildings, water tanks, or detached sheds can also be exempt if they meet size and use requirements.

If the work is considered Restricted Building Work (RBW), you may still be able to complete it under Schedule 1 — but only if it’s done or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) who can provide the correct paperwork.

The Catch

Even if a job doesn’t need consent, it still must:

• Meet the Building Code in full

• Be safe and durable

• Not negatively affect neighbours

• Be properly documented if it is RBW (an LBP must provide a Record of Work)

What Work Does Not Fall Under Schedule 1?

This is where homeowners often get caught out. You cannot use Schedule 1 for:

• Structural changes (like removing a load-bearing wall)

• Recladding your home (beyond minor repairs/maintenance)

• Enlarging external openings (changing size or position of windows/doors)

• Converting garages or basements into habitable spaces

• High decks, balustrades, or stairs over 1.5m

• Roof structure changes

Why You Need to Be Careful

Cutting corners on consent or skipping out on contracting an LBP may feel like its saving time and upfront costs, but it can cause real problems later.

Non-compliant work can:

• Stop you from getting council sign-off

• Create weathertightness or structural risks in your home

• Lower your home’s resale value — buyers’ lawyers check compliance closely

• End up costing more if work has to be redone or removed

• May result in costly inspections and reports to gain sign off

The safest option is to discuss your project with a Licensed Building Practitioner. They’re up to date with current regulations, can confirm whether your work is exempt, and can issue the Record of Work council requires if it’s RBW.

The Bottom Line

Schedule 1 is a useful tool for smaller or low-risk projects, but it’s not a free pass for major building work. When in doubt, always check before you start — it’s much easier (and cheaper) to get advice than to fix non-compliant work later.

Ready to talk through your project? Contact Alder Homes today — we’ll help you figure out if your work needs consent, whether it requires an LBP, and the simplest way to get it done right.

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