Building consent exemptions for work designed and reviewed by an engineer
Last updated: 22 October 2025

Under Schedule 1 of the Building Act there are several projects that can be carried out without needing a building consent exemption if they are designed or have the design reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer, who is registered under the Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Act 2002.
There are building projects that can be carried out without needing a building consent if they are designed or have the design reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer, who is registered under the Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Act 2002.
Exempt work that can be done with the help of a Chartered Professional Engineer
- Removal of structures
- Single-storey detached buildings up to 30sqm in floor area with prefab or kitset components
- Single-storey pole sheds and hay barns in rural zones – Chartered Professional Engineer
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Porches and verandas between 20 and 30sqm in floor area – Chartered Professional Engineer
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Carports between 20 and 40 sqm in floor area – Chartered Professional Engineer
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Ground floor awnings between 20 and 30sqm in size - Chartered Professional Engineer
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Ground-mounted solar panel arrays between 20 and 40 sqm in size (outside rural zones)
- Roof-mounted solar panel arrays of more than 40 sqm in size or where design wind speeds exceed 44 metres per second