Govt Eases Building Rules for Small Structures to Cut Red Tape

The Building and Construction Minister acknowledged that frustration with the building consent system was one of the top issues raised through the Red Tape Tipline.

The New Zealand Government is set to significantly reduce red tape for homeowners building small structures such as garden sheds, sleepouts, and garages, following feedback received through the Red Tape Tipline. Regulation Minister David Seymour and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk have confirmed that new regulations will be introduced by the end of 2025 to simplify and speed up the building process for these practical additions to residential properties.

Background: Frustration Over Current Building Regulations

Currently, homeowners wanting to build single-storey detached structures like garden sheds or small garages face strict setback rules. The minimum required distance between these buildings and property boundaries or other residential buildings was previously determined by the building’s height. For example, if a shed was two metres high, it had to be at least two metres from the boundary. If this setback was not met, building consent was mandatory, leading to delays, increased costs, and frustration for property owners.

As section sizes shrink due to urban intensification and the rising cost of living places pressure on household budgets, many New Zealanders found these rules impractical and burdensome. The Red Tape Tipline, an initiative aimed at identifying and removing unnecessary regulations, revealed widespread concern about these setbacks forcing sheds and similar structures into inconvenient parts of people’s yards or making seemingly minor improvements costly and complicated.

New Changes: Simplifying Setback Requirements

In response, Cabinet has agreed to remove the minimum setback requirement entirely for single-storey buildings under 10 square metres. This means homeowners will no longer need to maintain any specific distance from boundaries or other buildings for small sheds or sleepouts under this size.

For single-storey buildings between 10 and 30 square metres, the setback distance will be reduced to just one metre, a significant relaxation from the previous rules. This adjustment will make it easier and cheaper to build a wider range of small structures on private property without triggering the need for costly building consents.

Practical Benefits for Homeowners

Minister Seymour highlighted the government’s motivation: “We’ve heard the frustration through the Red Tape Tipline. It doesn’t make sense to force people to put sheds in the middle of their lawn or pay for a consent to store tools. There is no justification for such generous setback distances on private property.”

Minister Penk added, “This Government is relentlessly focused on making it easier and more affordable to build. Kiwis shouldn’t be bogged down in bureaucracy when making practical use of their own backyard.”

The relaxation of setback rules will particularly benefit homeowners dealing with tight space constraints in urban and suburban areas. Small sheds will be easier to place closer to property boundaries or existing buildings, enabling efficient use of limited outdoor space.

The changes will help facilitate a variety of common uses, including:

• Garden sheds for storing tools, bicycles, and gardening equipment

• Sleepouts or hobby rooms

• Small garages or workshops

By allowing these buildings to be located closer to boundaries without the need for consent, the Government aims to reduce delays, cut costs, and give homeowners more flexibility.

Streamlining the Building Consent System

The Building and Construction Minister acknowledged that frustration with the building consent system was one of the top issues raised through the Red Tape Tipline. “It’s great to see action that cuts through delays and makes life easier for everyday Kiwis,” Mr Penk said.

Homeowners will soon benefit from quicker approvals and fewer bureaucratic hurdles for simple but valuable property improvements. The Government hopes this will encourage more people to enhance their properties with useful structures that improve storage and living options without the current regulatory burden.

Encouraging Public Input on Red Tape

Minister Seymour reiterated the Government’s commitment to listening to public feedback: “We want to hear about red tape that’s getting in the way. I encourage anyone with a red tape issue to report it on the Ministry for Regulation website. We’re acting on the tips we get by removing unnecessary regulation and making it easier for Kiwis to get things done.”

Implementation Timeline

The revised setback rules and associated regulatory changes are expected to come into effect by late 2025. This timing will allow homeowners to start planning small-scale additions to their properties with greater confidence and less red tape.