Verandas and porches

This is a new exemption, introduced in October 2008.

Exemption (jc) of Schedule 1

A building consent is not required for the following building work:

(jc) the construction, alteration, or removal of a porch or veranda on any building where that porch or veranda—

(i) is on the ground or first storey level; and

(ii) Is over a deck or a patio; and

(ii) does not exceed 15 square metres in size.

Guidance

Porches are roofed structures, often with sides but open at the front, and project from the face of a building. They are often used to protect an entrance to a building and provide shelter. A veranda is typically a long porch and often extends along more than one side of a building. Porches and verandas are usually made from permanent materials and extend over raised decks or patios.

This exemption restricts porches and verandas in size to 15 square metres or less. They must also be located at ground floor or first floor level in order to be exempt.

Examples where this exemption could apply	Examples where building consent is required
A building owner wishes to remove an existing porch from the entry to a dwelling. The porch is 10 square metres in size. A first floor apartment owner wishes to increase the area of her existing veranda from 6 to 12 square metres.	An existing veranda measures 10 square metres and the owner wishes to increase its size to 20 square metres. The existing structure may remain, but as the additional work increases the size beyond 15 square metres, a building consent is required. The owners of a 4th storey flat wish to build a veranda. They require a building consent, as they are above the first storey of the building.