How big can you build a Cabin without consent

Cabins, Sleepouts, and guest houses can now be built up to 30m².

Non-consented structures have traditionally only been allowed to be up to 10m², but as of August 31^st, 2020, council rules have changed to expand the amount of work that can be done without a consent. Single-storey low-risk detached buildings, like cabins, sleep-outs or sheds can now be installed or built without building consent up to 30m² if they adhere to the standard requirements for non-consented buildings.

These exciting new rules will make the process of installing or building a structure much easier by lowering costs, decreasing building time, and increasing options. While consent rules have been relaxed, structures still need to adhere to requirements that are not always so straight forward. These rules may differ district to district and it is advised that you always consult a building professional to ensure your plans are compliant for your region.

To help in understanding the new rules, here is a summary of some of the exemption rules and standard requirements for buildings that don’t require a consent:

• Exempt buildings can have a maximum floor area of 30 square metres
• Any plumbing work to a new or current building still requires a building consent
• Any electrical work must be carried out by a registered electrician
• The building can not contain any cooking facilities
• All buildings must be built to building code to ensure buildings are safe, healthy, and durable.
• Building can only be 1 storey and no more than 4.5 metres high (1 metre to floor level, plus 3.5 metre building height)
• You must install smoke alarms if the detached building is going to be used for sleeping
• Exemption requires the use of a Licensed Building Practitioner, approved kitset, or to be built of approved lightweight materials
• The building will be more than its own height away from existing structures or legal boundaries

Reference: www.building.govt.nz

At Cube we want to keep people informed and ensure compliance for our customers. Our Cabins are built to the highest New Zealand building code and our experts will ensure that we are fully compliant when installing a cube. Contact us to find out if you can get a Cube installed on your site!

*Note- this is just a summary and not an exhaustive list of the rules. You should seek the advice of someone with the appropriate building knowledge and expertise if you are unsure if your plans need consent. For a full list of rules and exemptions please visit www.building.govt.nz.

Here are some additional resources:

Detached Standalone Buildings

Learn about Building code

New Buildings that don’t need consent