The rules that actually apply

Consent paths, by build type

Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 is the document that decides whether a build needs council consent. Cooking and sanitation are the trip-wires; cross either and the build becomes a dwelling. Below are the consent postures for each of our 5 buildable models — read the full posture on each model page.

• Sleeper cabin$32k–$58k

  Schedule 1 exempt in most councils — under 10 m² and not for sleeping as a primary dwelling. Confirm the local position; some councils still require a Notice of Erection.

• One-bed cabin$110k–$175k

  Full building consent required (it has cooking & sanitation). Lodge as a minor dwelling on rural-zoned land or a secondary dwelling on residential where rules permit.

• Two-bed family$210k–$320k

  Full building consent. On rural-zoned land most councils permit a minor dwelling up to 65 m² without subdivision; on residential land, secondary-dwelling rules vary widely.

• Off-grid self-contained$145k–$215k

  Mixed: if relocatable and never permanently fixed, may avoid building consent in some councils. If permanently sited on rural land, full consent applies. Always confirm with your council BEFORE the build.

• Towable RV-cert$95k–$165k

  Not a building, so no building consent. Must be NZTA-registered as a trailer, WoF-current, and certified self-contained under NZS5465 (the Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board scheme replaced the old NZMCA-only scheme in 2023).

Council variation, by region

Each council interprets Schedule 1 slightly differently — and the regional councils handle dispersal-field consents on top. Pick your region for the local rules and the builders who navigate them every week.

• Auckland

  North Island · Rodney · Franklin · Waitākere

• Waikato

  North Island · Hamilton · Cambridge · Te Awamutu

• Bay of Plenty

  North Island · Tauranga · Te Puke · Katikati

• Wellington

  North Island · Carterton · Masterton · Featherston

• Canterbury

  South Island · Christchurch · Selwyn · Waimakariri

• Otago

  South Island · Queenstown · Wānaka · Dunedin

• Northland

  North Island · Whangārei · Kaitaia · Kerikeri

• Manawatū-Whanganui

  North Island · Palmerston North · Whanganui · Levin

Browse 12 builders grouped by region on the builders page.

Self-contained certification (NZS5465)

The 2023 update of NZS5465 moved self-contained certification from an NZMCA-only scheme to a Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board-administered scheme. A towable RV-cert tiny home needs: freshwater, greywater and a sealed waste solution; ventilation; and a current certifier's plate. See the towable RV-cert model page for the full requirements and the case study at Te Puke for what that looks like in practice.

Off-grid setups

Solar-and-batteries, rainwater capture, composting WCs, greywater dispersal: each one a separate decision with its own consent implications. The off-grid model page walks through a representative spec, and the Akaroa case study shows the dispersal-field consent that catches most first-time builders out.