Good news for homeowners! It’s about to get a whole lot easier (and cheaper) to put up small structures like sheds, sleep-outs, and garages. The Government is tweaking the Building Act so you won’t always need a building consent for these types of projects.
Right now, the rules say a single-storey detached building has to sit back from your boundary or another building by the same distance as its height. So, if your shed is two metres tall, it needs to be two metres away from the fence, otherwise, you’re stuck applying for consent.
After plenty of feedback about how impractical and costly this was, the Government is making changes to give property owners more flexibility. By the end of 2025, you’ll be able to build a 10–30m² structure just one metre from the boundary without needing consent. Anything under 10m²? You’ll be able to tuck it right up against the boundary or another building, again, no consent required!
For now, the old rules still apply, but once the law kicks in, homeowners will save time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.
As Minister Chris Penk put it, “forcing people to put sheds in the middle of their lawn or pay for a consent to store tools doesn’t make sense.” These changes are about keeping costs down and making the most of the space you’ve got.
Thinking about a reno or backyard project? Get in touch, I can help you figure out the best way to finance it.