Shed, Tunnel House, or Glasshouse

Do I need a building consent?

A building consent is required before building a shed, tunnel house or glasshouse unless the detached building falls under certain exemption criteria.

If the shed, tunnel house or glasshouse falls under any of the below exemptions, you may not need a building consent

  • Buildings up to 10 square metres in floor area
  • Single-storey detached buildings exceeding 10, but not exceeding 30 square metres in floor area, constructed of lightweight materials
  • Buildings up to 30 square metres in floor area using a kitset or prefabricated building where a manufacturer or supplier has had the design carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer
  • Buildings up to 30 square metres in floor area where a Licensed Building Practitioner is to carry out or supervise design and construction.

If the shed, tunnel house or glasshouse is closer than its own height from either the boundary or a residential building a building consent is required

Before you start building please make sure you meet all the exemption requirements

All exempt work must comply with any other relevant legislation, such as the Building Code, the Resource Management Act 1991, and the Waimakariri District Plan.

What information is needed?

Specific information to include in a building consent application for a shed, tunnel house or glasshouse:

  • Site plan with shed, tunnel or green house and existing building locations
  • Details of the footings and slab
  • Engineered design details (tunnel or green house designs are generally outside the scope of NZS3604)
  • Stormwater disposal details
  • Irrigation and backflow details
  • If the building is intended for commercial use this could bring additional requirements.