Building Consents for Low Risk Projects Scrapped

[Brent George]

New rules will come into force which scrap building consent requirements for low-risk projects.



Exemptions to the Building Act, which will be introduced in August, will mean that anyone can build a sleep-out, a carport, or a shed, without needing council permission.
 
The move will scrap as many as 9000 consents having to be reviewed by local authorities, saving an estimated $18m in fees.
  Under the scheme, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will increase the number of low-risk building work that does not require pre-approval.

Stuff - National: 24-May-2020

A good thing - or not-so-good thing?

[Mark Geddes]

I would say, after a brief discussion here in the office, that this is a good thing.  Policing the construction of those structures can't have been easy for local authorities.  My questions would be, will there be a lesser number of people asking for boundaries to be identified if there is not the compliance element to building these structures under the Building Act?         and ....... would another repeat of the Mosgiel tree-house situation attract a building consent requirement now?


Mosgiel Tree House July 2018

[Pat Sole]

I think its great. The extra compliance costs incurred in many minor projects almost outweigh build costs. Currently building a new house, I am astounded by the costs and overkill in design - already 72 tonnes of concrete to get to ground level. No wonder our children struggle to be able to afford homes. Are required construction standards too high?