Ensuring exempt building work complies with the law

Last updated: 15 January 2026

Understand how to ensure any building work that doesn't need a building consent will comply with the Building Code

How to comply

Although you can carry out certain building work without a building consent, all building work must still comply with the Building Code and all other relevant legislation such as the Resource Management Act 1991, the Electricity Act 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to ensure buildings are safe, healthy and durable.

To help you get started, here are some links to resources that might help you ensure your exempt building work complies with the Building Code. The resources are categorised according to the parts of the Building Code they refer to.

It is recommended that you understand the relevant Building Code requirements before carrying out any exempt building work. Understanding the Building Code usually requires experience working in the building and construction industry. If you are unsure whether your project work will comply with the Building Code, you will need advice from a professional such as a:

Licensed Building Practitioner, or
Chartered Professional Engineer

MBIE has developed a tool to help non-professionals better understand if a building consent is required:

Do you need a building consent – canibuildit.govt.nz

An introduction to the Building Code

If you have little or no experience in the building industry, our series of online learning modules will help you understand how the Building Code works. We suggest you take a look before you start your building work.

NZ Building Regulatory System Modules – learning.building.govt.nz

Ensuring building work is structurally stable and durable

The following information will help you to understand how to make sure your building work complies with Building Code clauses B1 Structure and B2 Durability.

Constructing timber-framed buildings using NZS 3604

The New Zealand Standard NZS 3604 provides instructions for constructing the timber framing for buildings. These instructions can be followed for small standalone dwellings built using the granny flats exemption, timber-framed sleepouts, sheds, garages on concrete slabs and timber decks. They also specify how to select the types of fixings that are required to ensure they will be durable.

This Standard requires modifications to ensure the building work will comply with the Building Code, so you also need to read information under the Building Code requirements for structural stability. Refer to the Acceptable Solution B1/AS1, section 3.0 from page 23A.

NZS 3604 - Timber-framed buildings – standards.govt.nz

Using NZS 3504 Timber-framed buildings

Ensuring timber and wood-based products are durable

The New Zealand Standard NZS 3602 provides instructions that can be followed to ensure that the timber and wood-based products used in buildings will be durable. This includes the framing and wood-based products such as cladding materials that are attached to the framing.

This Standard requires modifications to ensure the building work will comply with the Building Code using Acceptable Solution B2/AS1. You also need to read information about timber durability in the Building Product Specifications. Refer to the Building Product Specifications, section 3.5 Timber.

Building Code acceptable solutions and verification methods for durability

NZS 3602 Timber and wood-based products for use in building – standards.govt.nz

Constructing concrete masonry buildings using NZS 4229

The New Zealand Standard NZS 4229 provides instructions for constructing concrete masonry structures. This includes masonry walls and their foundations. These walls are not lightweight. This Standard also gives the types of materials that are required under different conditions.

This Standard requires modifications to ensure the building work will comply with the Building Code, so you also need to read information under Building Code requirements for structural stability. Refer to the Acceptable Solution B1/AS1, section 2.0 from page 23.

NZS 4229 Concrete masonry buildings not requiring specific engineering design for constructing concrete masonry buildings – standards.govt.nz

Constructing light-steel framed buildings using NASH Standard Part 2

The National Association of Steel Framed Housing (NASH) standard provides instructions for constructing light steel framing for buildings such small standalone dwellings built using the granny flats exemption, garages and sleepouts. This Standard also gives the types of materials to be used for light-steel frames.

NASH Standard Part Two for construction light-steel framed buildings – nashnz.org.nz

Constructing permanent barriers

This document provides construction details for permanent barriers required in and around buildings. This does not cover swimming pool fences.

Guidance on barrier design

Ensuring building work provides protection from fire

The following instructions for designing small buildings will help you to understand how to ensure your building work will comply with the fire safety requirements within Building Code Clauses C1 to C6:

Constructing buildings for protection from fire using C/AS1

Acceptable Solution C/AS1 provides the requirements for installing smoke alarms, and construction details for fire rated walls and windows in small buildings such as sleepouts.

Acceptable solutions and verification methods for C Protection from fire

Ensuring building work drains rainwater and surface water

The following instructions for constructing the systems used to collect and drain rainwater and surface water will help you understand how to make your building work comply with Building Code Clause E1 – Surface Water.

Constructing buildings to ensure rainwater and surface water are collected using E1/AS1

Acceptable Solution E1/AS1 describes how to ensure the rainwater and surface water that is collected from building roofs, patios and other surfaces is correctly disposed of.

Building Code acceptable solutions and verification methods for rainwater and surface water collection

Ensuring building work will not be affected by external moisture

The following instructions for designing external wall and roof claddings will help you understand how to ensure your building work will comply with Building Code Clause E2 – External Moisture.

Constructing buildings to ensure external moisture protection of timber-framed buildings using E2/AS1

Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 provides details on design and construction of external wall cladding, windows, and roof cladding of timber-framed buildings.

Building Code acceptable solutions and verification methods for external moisture

Building Code compliance – E2 External moisture

Building to ensure weathertight concrete and concrete masonry

This document provides construction details to prevent external moisture entering concrete and concrete masonry buildings including outbuildings and sleepouts.

CCANZ CP01 Code of Practice for Weathertight concrete and concrete masonry information [PDF 5.9MB] – concretenz.org.nz

Building to ensure weathertight light steel framed buildings

This document provides details on design and construction of external wall cladding, windows and roof cladding of light steel framed buildings.