6.2. Porches and verandas exceeding 20 sqm in floor area but not exceeding 30 sqm - Engineer

• Print
• Share

Legally required professional: Chartered Professional Engineer

The work must be carried out in accordance with the design of the Chartered Professional Engineer.

Find an engineer — engineeringnz.org.nz

What the law says

Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004

Exemption 46. Porches and verandas exceeding 20, but not exceeding 30 square metres in floor area

1. Building work in connection with a porch or a veranda that—

(a). is on or attached to an existing building; and

(b). is on the ground level of the building; and

(c). exceeds 20 square metres in floor area, but does not exceed 30 square metres; and

(d). does not overhang any area accessible by the public, including private areas with limited public access, for example, restaurants and bars.

This exemption also requires that the design of the building work has been carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer and the building work has been carried out in accordance with that design.

If a homeowner intends to build a veranda or porch less than 20 square metres on the ground floor, exemption 17 (section 6.1.) may be applicable.

What is exempt

1. A building owner wishes to increase the size of an existing porch from the entry to a dwelling at ground level. The size of the porch (including the existing one) is 25 square metres. Provided that plans and specifications designed or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer and the work is carried out in accordance with that design, the work does not need a consent.
2. A ground floor apartment owner wishes to increase the area of an existing veranda from 20 square metres to 30 square metres. The design is carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer and subsequently the work is carried out in accordance with that design.
3. A building owner wishes to increase the area of an existing veranda from 15 square metres to 30 square metres by buying pre-engineered kitset products. The design of this proprietary product has been signed off by a Chartered Professional Engineer and the construction of the veranda will be according to that design.

What needs consent

1. The owners of a commercial building wish to build a veranda on the first floor level to cover an area of 25 square metres. A building consent is required as the proposed location is above the ground floor of the building.
2. A shop owner wants to build a 35 square metre veranda in a space without public access. This requires a building consent as the area exceeds 30 square metres.