If your project requires a building consent, it must be obtained before any of the work starts, so please make sure that you start the application process well before building is due to start.
This list covers the most straightforward ones, but it's not exhaustive. Some exemptions depend on who's doing the work.
Find the full list of exemptions on building.govt.nz
Work that is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act is still required to meet the Building Code to ensure it is safe and fit for purpose. It must also comply with relevant planning controls.
To save documentation, time, and costs, we will consider exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
Complete the application form in the Objective Build portal.
You will need to include details of why the exemption should be approved.
Find the full list of exemptions on building.govt.nz
Work that is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act is still required to meet the Building Code to ensure it is safe and fit for purpose. It must also comply with relevant planning controls
It is important that you consider other legislation that may affect your Building Consent application, such as the Resource Management Act 1991.
A Project Information Memorandum or PIM is a report relating to a specific project on a property. It is strongly recommended that you apply for a PIM prior to submitting a Building Consent application. As a PIM investigates issues that might affect your building project under the Tasman Resource Management Plan (TRMP), such as:
If you choose to apply for a Building Consent only, a Resource Management authority (RMA) check will be completed instead. This follows a similar procedure, and costs the same as a PIM. However you could face significant delays if the RMA check identifies issues that need remediation or a Resource Consent (RC) to proceed.
Buildit aims to make navigating building consent exemptions as easy as possible for homeowners.
By answering a few questions, Buildit can let you know whether your next project could qualify as being exempt building work. It also advises what the next steps are for you to follow - before any work begins.
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