8.7. Ground floor awnings between 20 and 30 sqm in size - Chartered Professional Engineer
Under this exemption, any awning larger than 20m² and up to 30m² must be designed or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer, and the construction must adhere to that design.
Legally required professional: Chartered Professional Engineer.
The awning must be located on the ground floor of the building.
What the law says
Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004
Exemption 45. Awnings exceeding 20, but not exceeding 30, square metres in size
Building work in connection with an awning that:
(a) is on or attached to an existing building; and
(b) in on the ground level of the building; and
(c) exceeds 20 square metres in size, 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.
How it works
Before you begin, please read the Notes for awnings: 8.6 to 8.8.
An owner must engage a Chartered Professional Engineer to design the awnings on the ground level greater than 20 square metres and not exceeding 30 square metres. Construction of the awning needs to be carried out in accordance with that design.
Some suppliers/manufacturers of proprietary products have pre-engineered kitsets with a unified sign-off from a Chartered Professional Engineer. The kitset awning needs to be constructed in accordance with the instruction manual in order to be exempt from needing a building consent.
If an owner intends to erect an awning not exceeding 20 square metres on the ground floor, exemption 16 in section 8.6. Awnings not exceeding 20 square metres of this document may be applicable.
What is exempt
- A homeowner intends to install a retractable canvas awning of 25 square metres above a ground floor kitchen window and over the adjoining deck to provide shade. The structural design of the awning has been reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer and the work is carried out in accordance with that design.
What needs consent
- A lightweight fabric awning is to be fitted above an apartment deck on the third floor of the building. Although the awning has a total coverage of 25 square metres a building consent is required as the awning is not on the ground floor.