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The Shed Co The Shed Co

Many of our Sheds, Garages, Carports Don’t Needing a Building Consent

At The Shed Company we're committed to making your building project as straightforward and stress-free as possible. With recent updates to New Zealand's Building Act, many of our custom steel sheds, garages, carports, and other outbuildings can now be installed without needing a building consent - provided they meet specific criteria. This guide outlines the key exemptions, our range of qualifying buildings, and how we can help you navigate the process. All our designs use premium New Zealand-made steel, are engineered for local conditions, and come with a Producer Statement (PS1) from a Registered Engineer for peace of mind.

Recent Changes to the Building Act

Exemptions for low-risk buildings were expanded in September 2020 to reduce red tape and boost productivity. This increased size limits for structures like sheds and carports, adding more types to the exempt list.

Further easing came in late 2025 (effective October 2025), relaxing boundary distance rules for small detached buildings:

  • Single-storey buildings 10–30m² can now be just 1m from boundaries or other buildings (previously, distance had to match the building's height).

  • Buildings under 10m² can be right up to the boundary.

As of early 2026, additional exemptions allow for larger granny flats up to 70m² (simple designs only), but this guide focuses on non-habitable sheds and outbuildings without plumbing. All exempt work must still comply with the Building Code, District Plans, and Resource Management Act.

What Does This Mean for You?

These exemptions cut costs and delays, letting you invest more in your building and enjoy it sooner. With the 2025 boundary relaxations, placement is more flexible - ideal for urban or lifestyle blocks. However, rules still apply: no public access, no hazardous substances, and full compliance with codes and plans.

Your Responsibilities as a Building Owner

You're responsible for determining if your project qualifies for exemption. Even without consent:

Comply with the Building Code, covering:

  • Structural stability

  • Durability

  • Fire safety

  • Moisture control

  • Access and facilities

  • Energy efficiency

  • Adhere to local plans, including height, site coverage, yard sizes, sunlight planes, noise, parking, and boundary distances.

  • No plumbing (e.g., kitchens, bathrooms) is allowed - any requires consent.

  • Electrical work must be by a registered electrician.

  • Designs for steel portal frames must be reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer.

We recommend getting a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) from your council - it's affordable and confirms feasibility. If unsure, councils have discretion. You can always apply for consent if preferred.

How Can We Help?

Our wide range of exempt buildings can be customised to fit your lifestyle. Broken into key types:

  • Enclosed buildings (e.g., garages, games rooms) up to 30m²

  • Awnings/porches/verandas up to 30m²

  • Carports up to 40m²

  • Rural sheds up to 110m²

All are designed/reviewed by Chartered Professional Engineers and meet NZ standards. We provide:

  • A PS1 signed by a Registered Engineer

  • 25-year structural guarantee (plus 5-year workmanship if built by us)

  • Full support from planning to construction

  • Kitset options with instructions and guarantees for DIY

Customisation includes:

  • Door/window positions and sizes

  • Wall adjustments (without increasing total area)

  • Door styles (personal access, garage, sliding)

  • Translucent roof sheets for natural light

  • Auto-openers for sectional/roller doors

  • NZ-made cladding and roof profiles

Size limits are based on internal usable area (A × B).

Our No-Consent Building Range

Here's a breakdown of our exempt options, with updated limitations incorporating 2025 changes:

Garages & Games Rooms (Up to 30m² – No Consent Required)

Perfect for storage, hobbies, or extra space. Our flexible designs withstand NZ's weather.

Limitations:

  • Single-storey

  • Max floor height above ground: 1m

  • Max building height from floor: 3.5m

  • Max internal area: 30m² (A × B)

  • Boundary distance: 1m (for 10–30m²) or 0m (under 10m²)

  • Must comply with fire safety and other codes

Carports (Up to 40m² – No Consent Required)

From simple shelters to custom designs for cars, boats, or motorhomes—open on at least one side.

Limitations:

  • Internal area from posts: 40m²

  • Flexible post spacing (e.g., up to 57m² roof area with 5.98m depth × 9.6m width)

  • Under 20m²: No engineer review needed (but we provide one)

  • Boundary distance: As per local plans (relaxed rules may apply if under 30m²)

  • Single-storey, no public access

Rural Buildings (Up to 110m² – No Consent Required)

Tough sheds, barns, or farm buildings for equipment, machinery, stock, or crops—fully enclosed or with open bays. Must be in a "rural zone" per your district plan.

Limitations:

  • Importance Level 1 (low-risk)

  • Max height: 4m above floor

  • Floor level: ≤1m above ground

  • Max unsupported span: 6m

  • Max design windspeed: 44m/s (high wind zone)

  • Boundary distance: As tall as the building (or relaxed if under 30m²)

  • Internal clear area: 110m² (outside up to ~120m² depending on frame)

  • No plumbing or hazardous storage

Lifestyle: Awnings, Porches & Verandas (Up to 30m² – No Consent Required)

Add covered space to existing buildings for vehicles, relaxation, or storage.

Limitations:

  • Attached to/on an existing building

  • Ground level only

  • No overhang on public-access areas

  • Max floor area: 30m² total (e.g., 15m² awning + 15m² garaport)

  • Boundary distance: Per local plans

Other Exempt Options

  • Buildings housing fixed plant/machinery: Up to 20m²

  • Small structures under 10m²: Minimal restrictions, including 0m boundary

Even exempt, all our buildings are Shed Safe accredited and engineered for your site. Contact us for a free quote or to check eligibility - our team is here to help!

Our Sheds Typically Fitting the No-Consent Rules

1. Garden Sheds (Ideal for Residential/Lifestyle Properties – Up to 30m² Exempt)

Garden sheds are perfect for tools, bikes, or extra storage, made from premium Colorsteel with custom or off-the-shelf options like Galvo Sheds. These are single-storey, detached, and can be built without consent if:

  • Floor area ≤30m²

  • Height ≤3.5m from floor level

  • Floor height ≤1m above ground

  • 1m from boundaries (for 10–30m²) or 0m (under 10m²) per 2025 rules

  • Lightweight materials (timber/steel framing, light roof/cladding)

Examples:

  • Small custom or kitset garden sheds: Often 1.8m × 1.2m (2.16m²) up to 3m × 3m (9m²) – fully exempt, even at 0m from boundary.

  • Medium Galvo-style: Up to 5m × 6m (30m²) – exempt in residential zones with flexible door/window placements.

  • Custom additions: Translucent roofing or ventilation can be included without affecting exemption.

These are great for Auckland backyards, as they're easy-assembly kitsets or installed.

2. Kitset Sheds (Versatile for Garages/Workshops/Storage – Up to 30m² Residential, 40m² Carports, or 110m² Rural)

Pre-engineered steel kitsets are DIY-friendly, using NZ steel, and customizable for size, doors, insulation, and finishes. No-consent if configured to limits:

  • Enclosed: ≤30m² residential (e.g., games rooms/garages)

  • Carports (one side open): ≤40m²

  • Rural zones: ≤110m² with span ≤6m, height ≤4m, etc.

  • Same height/floor/boundary rules as above.

Examples:

  • Small kitsets: 3m × 4m (12m²) to 5m × 6m (30m²) – exempt for residential use, ideal for workshops or vehicle storage.

  • Carport-style kitsets: Up to 6m × 6.7m (~40m² internal) – flexible post spacing allows larger roof coverage (up to ~57m²) while staying exempt.

  • Larger rural kitsets: Custom up to 110m² (e.g., 6m span bays) – no consent in rural Auckland areas if Importance Level 1, windspeed ≤44m/s.

3. Timber Pole Sheds (For Farms/Lifestyle Blocks – Up to 110m² Rural Exempt)

These are strong, treated-timber pole structures for machinery, vehicles, or open bays. Custom bay widths (e.g., 4.5m), roof pitches, and claddings make them adaptable. No-consent primarily in rural zones:

  • ≤110m² internal area (outside ~120m²)

  • Height ≤4m, floor ≤1m above ground

  • Unsupported span ≤6m

  • Boundary distance = height (or relaxed to 1m if under 30m²)

Examples:

  • Small pole sheds: 6m × 6m (36m²) – exempt even in some lifestyle zones if under 30m² limits.

  • Medium farm-style: 12m depth × 4-5 bays at 4.5m (up to 90-110m²) – exempt in rural if span-compliant (e.g., your 12m × 22.5m kitset can be scaled down).

  • Open-front or enclosed: Custom for stock/crops, with bird-proof design.

Other Exempt Options

  • Awnings/Porches/Verandas: Attached to existing buildings, up to 30m² total (e.g., 15m² awning + 15m² garaport) – ground level, no public overhang.

  • Small Structures: Under 10m² (any type) or up to 20m² for fixed plant/machinery – many garden/kitset options fit.

  • American Barns or Lifestyle Sheds: If custom-sized under limits (e.g., 90m² rural with lean-tos), can qualify, but check span.

For custom designs, we provide PS1 engineer statements to ensure compliance. If a shed exceeds limits (e.g., your larger 270m² pole examples), consent is needed.