Building Consent Exemptions

A change to building consent exemptions means new carports, whether free-standing or attached, do not require a building consent from 30 June 2016.

The exemption applies to free-standing or attached carports that are:

•   on ground level

•   no greater than 20 square metres.

This is a change to Schedule 1 of the Building Act, which contains a list of building work that does not require a building consent.

Carport requirements are set out in clause 18 (more commonly known as exemption 18) of Schedule 1, which was amended by the Building (Exempt Building Work) Order 2016. Previously, exemption 18 referred only to attached carports.