Notes for porches and verandas

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Sections 6.1-6.3 cover three separate exemptions for porches and verandas.

• Porches and verandas up to 20 square metres in size where a professional is not required to carry out the building work
• Porches and verandas up to 30 square metres, when the design is carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer, OR
• Porches and verandas to 30 square metres in size, when a Licensed Building Practitioner is to carry out or supervise design and construction. The design can also be carried out by a Registered Architect.

Porches and verandas are usually made from permanent materials and often extend over raised decks or patios.

Porches are roofed structures which project from the face of a building. They may have sides but they are open at the front. Porches are generally used to protect a building entrance and to provide shelter.

A veranda is typically a long porch and can extend along the full length, or even around more than one side, of a building.

Before you begin your project, you need to consider the following:

Stormwater

You need to consider the Building Code requirements regarding the disposal of stormwater from the roof of your building. You may need to seek professional guidance and seek approval from to your council. All new drains must be laid by an Authorised Drainlayer.

District planning

Always check with your local council to make sure your proposed building work does not have any district planning implications taking consideration of maximum site coverage, yard or setback requirements, daylight access planes or permitted activities. A resource consent may be required and it is important that this is obtained before starting any building work.

Building close to boundaries

If you are building close to boundaries, you need to consider the Building Code requirements regarding protection from fire, particularly in relation to the external spread of fire to neighbouring property.