Bottom line
Exempt does not mean unregulated.
Schedule 1 can remove the need for a building consent in some cases, but the work must still be safe, compliant and suitable for the site.
Schedule 1 exemption checks before you build.
Some building work may not need a building consent, but exempt work still needs to comply with the Building Code and may still have planning or site constraints.
Pathway checksSchedule 1 awarePlanning risk reviewFixed-fee next step
Best fit
Who this page is for.
Use this pathway when the project is still early and the right approval path is not yet confirmed.
Decks, sheds, sleepouts, minor alterations or small structures that may be exempt.
Homeowners asking whether a building consent exemption applies.
Projects where planning, boundary, height or site-risk rules may still matter.
Owners who want to check the pathway before paying for drawings.
What may be included
The checks that shape the next step.
Schedule 1 exemption assessment before design starts.
Building consent exemption check for common residential projects.
Plain-English explanation of why Building Code compliance still matters.
Advice on when professional input, council notification, PIM or full consent is safer.
Links to the free feasibility report where a project-specific check is needed.
Direction to Building Consent Services where exemption is unlikely.
Assessment focus
What usually changes the answer.
| Issue | What to clarify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Project type | What is being built, altered or removed. | Different exemptions apply to different types of work. |
| Size and height | Dimensions, height above ground, floor area and location. | Many exemptions depend on physical limits. |
| Site rules | Boundaries, hazards, overlays and planning controls. | Planning rules may still apply even where building consent is not needed. |
| Building Code | Structure, durability, moisture, safety and services. | Exempt work must still comply with the Building Code. |
Process
From uncertainty to a clearer path.
1
Send the project
Share the address, project description, photos, sketches, property file notes or council comments.
2
Check the pathway
We identify whether the project may be exempt, consented, planning-triggered or better handled elsewhere.
3
Map the risk
We look for Schedule 1 limits, zoning constraints, overlays, site risks and consultant requirements.
4
Choose the next step
You receive a plain-English summary and can move into fixed-fee work if the project proceeds.
Related tools
Start with the project-specific report.
The free report turns a general question into a project-specific pathway summary before you commit to design or council applications.
FAQs
Questions homeowners ask first.
What is Schedule 1?+
Schedule 1 of the Building Act lists types of building work that may not require a building consent. It does not remove the need to comply with the Building Code.
Should I check feasibility before builder quotes?+
Yes, especially if you are unsure whether the project is exempt, needs consent, triggers planning issues or requires consultants. Early clarity can prevent inaccurate pricing and redesign.
What happens after feasibility?+
The next step may be fixed-fee design, building consent documentation, council support, CoA support, planning advice or a specialist report depending on the pathway.
Is feasibility the same as full design?+
No. Feasibility identifies the likely pathway, risks and next step. Full design and consent documentation come after the scope is clearer.
Official references
Useful official sources.
These references help explain why early pathway checks matter.
Want to check if Schedule 1 applies?
Send the address, project description, dimensions and photos so the likely exemption pathway can be reviewed.