8.8. Ground floor awnings between 20 and 30 sqm in size – Licensed Building Practitioner

Awning extending from side of house, covering deck with furniture

This exemption relates to awnings between 20 and 30 square metres where the design and construction of the awning is carried out by a Licensed Building Practitioner and the work is carried out in accordance with that design. They may be built on the ground or first floor of a building.

Please note: The below exemption comes into force from 31 August 2020. You will still need a building consent if your project starts before this date.

This exemption relates to awnings betwwen 20 and 30 square metres where the design and construction of the awning is carried out by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) and the work is carried out in accordance with that design. They may be built on the ground or first floor of a building.

Before you build, please read the notes for ground floor awnings.

Any design or construction work done using this exemption must be carried out or supervised by a LBP. Building owners are encouraged to seek LBPs with the right competence for this work, as this provides the best assurance.

The design work is best carried out by a LBP holding a Design licence. The construction work is best carried out by an LBP in one of the following licensing classes, as may be relevant to the building work planned to be undertaken:

  • Bricklaying and blocklaying
  • Carpentry
  • External Plastering
  • Foundations
  • Roofing

Refer to the Who can undertake exempt work section for more information about Licensed Building Practitioners.

You should check and confirm the LBPs current licensing status and licensing history before you engage them to carry out work under this exemption.

If supervision is being applied by a Licensed Building Practitioner under this exemption, that supervision must align with the practice note issued for supervision by LBPs, which can be found at www.lbp.govt.nz.

What is exempt

  1. A home owner intends to install a retractable canvas awning of 21 square metres above a ground floor kitchen window and over the adjoining deck to provide shade. This can be designed and constructed by a Licensed Building Practitioner under this exemption.

What needs consent

  1. 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 18 square metres, a building consent is required as it is higher than the ground floor level.
  2. A restaurant building owner wants to install an awning over an outdoor seating area for the restaurant. The awning will be 25 square metres and on the ground floor, but because the area is accessible by the public, this exemption does not apply.

What the law says

16A. Awnings exceeding 20, but not exceeding 30, square metres in size

1. Building work in connection with an awning if—

(a). any design or construction work is carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner; and

(b). the awning—

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

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

(iii). exceeds 20 square metres in size, but does not exceed 30 square metres; and

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

This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: