If you’re keen to build a shed in your back yard, it’s important to know the rules first.
The DCC is promoting the regulations around building sheds so people are clear about what’s required. Guidance specifically on sheds has been produced and staff are contacting local retailers to provide information and hold training sessions if required.
Most issues relate to sheds being built too close to the property boundary or a house. This can pose fire and safety risks as dangerous and flammable goods are often stored in sheds.
Sheds are often built beside fences, but one of the rules is that a shed will need building consent, and possibly resource consent, if it is closer than its own height away from a house or legal boundary. For example, under the Building Act, a shed with a roof of 1.5m at the highest point must be a minimum of 1.5m from a house or boundary.
Whether people need building consent or not, they must make sure the work complies with the New Zealand Building Code.
Resource consent may also be required for a shed depending primarily on its size and how close to the boundary it is for the district plan zone in which it is located.
We suggest you do some research before purchasing your shed or starting construction. It’s also a good idea to talk to our Building Services and Planning staff. You can also visit 2GP - read the plan page for information about planning requirements.
We also advise you to talk to your neighbours before you begin so they are aware of your plans (their permission may also be required).
Frequently asked questions
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What’s so risky about having sheds next to fences or buildings?
Dangerous and flammable goods, such as lawnmower fuel, turpentine etc, are often stored in sheds, posing fire and safety risks if sheds are built too close to boundaries and houses.
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Has there ever been a serious accident related to a shed?
Yes. We are fortunate that there hasn’t been an incident in Dunedin, but there are examples around New Zealand where people have been injured when sheds have caught fire.
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What are my options if I have a shed in the wrong place?
The simplest thing is usually to move the shed to meet the legal requirements. It may be possible to add a fire wall or similar so the shed compiles with the rules, but these options can be expensive.
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The shed on my property has been there for many decades – does it have to comply with these rules?
If the shed was put up legally by way of a building permit or building consent then it can remain where it is.
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Why can’t the DCC use the exemptions that exist in the Building Act to allow sheds to stay?
Most illegal sheds wouldn’t qualify for an exemption because they don’t comply with the building code and the DCC would have to be satisfied they wouldn’t endanger people or buildings. There may be rare situations where there is no potential safety risk and staff could use discretion to exempt the work. This might be the case if a shed was built up against a boundary, but the property on the other side of boundary was a gully or DCC road which meant that land would never be built on.
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Do these rules only apply to sheds?
No. These rules also cover other similar structures, such as glasshouses and gazebos.
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Do I need resource consent as well?
In some cases, sheds do require resource consent as well as building consent. For information about planning requirements visit 2GP - read the plan page, call customer services on 03 477 4000 and ask to speak to the duty planner; or email planning@dcc.govt.nz providing your address, details of the shed e.g. height and floor area, and an idea of where on the site it would be located.