Detached standalone buildings

Find out what council permissions you might need for a detached standalone building.

Building consent requirements

Most detached standalone buildings will require a building consent. There are five separate exemptions from building consent for single-storey detached buildings:

• Buildings not exceeding 10 square metres in floor area
• Single-storey detached buildings exceeding 10, but not exceeding 30 square metres in floor area, constructed of lightweight materials
• Buildings exceeding 10 square metres, but not exceeding 30 square metres in floor area using a kitset or prefabricated building where a manufacturer or supplier has had the design carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer
• Buildings not exceeding 30 square metres in floor area where a Licensed Building Practitioner is to carry out or supervise design and construction.
• Unoccupied detached buildings

Exemptions for single-storey detached buildings not exceeding 10 square metres in floor area:

1. Building work in connection with any detached building that:
   1. is not more than 1 storey (being a floor level of up to 1 metre above the supporting ground and a height of up to 3.5 metres above the floor level); and
   2. does not exceed 10 square metres in floor area; and
   3. does not contain sanitary facilities or facilities for the storage of potable water; and
   4. does not include sleeping accommodation, unless the building is used in connection with a dwelling and does not contain any cooking facilities.
2. However, subclause (1) does not include building work in connection with a building that is closer than the measure of its own height to any residential building or to any legal boundary.

More information about building consents

Resource consent requirements

Many building projects may also require a resource consent. As part of the building consent process, applications are reviewed by a planner who can highlight any potential requirements, and provide some advice on what might be needed. You can also contact our duty planner, or read more about where a resource consent may be required below and avoid any potential delays to your project.

More information about resource consents