Build porch > Enclose porch > bedroom

[crashy]

You can build a porch up to 10m2 without consent.
You can enclose an existing porch up to 5m2 without consent.

To me this suggests that you can build an extra bedroom up to 5m2 NET area without a consent. I emphasise the net, because a raised bed platform is not counted as floor, nor are cupboards / wardrobes with raised platforms. So what does "existing" mean? I build a porch and take a photo. The next day I enclose it. Will that satisfy? Or would it require as 'as built' to be submitted? What is the minimum floor area to be categorised as a bedroom for valuation purposes?

[superoman]

According to the home improvement regulations 1947 (still in law in NZ)
1) Every bedroom shall have a minimum width of 1.8 m:
2)Every bedroom shall have an area of not less than 6 sq m:
provided that in an existing house a room with an area of less than 6 sq m but not less than 4.5 sq m may be occupied as a bedroom by a person under 10 years of age.

(3)In computing the area of a bedroom for the purposes of subclause (2) no regard shall be had to any portion of the bedroom the height of which from finished floor to finished ceiling is less than 1.5 m.

[crashy]

Well that is interesting, and confusing. I can't imagine a valuer measuring a room, including the height at all points, and having it conditional on the age of the child.

On the flip side, does this mean that if you had a sloping ceiling, you can exceed the 5m2 maximum by ignoring any area that is below 1.5m height? While you might not be able to stand against that wall, it is suitable for fridge, washer, vanity, benchtop, storage etc and by the time you come 700mm from the wall, you have enough height to stand. Now add a raised bed platform. This would also obviously apply to sleepouts as well so theoretically the 5, 10 or 30 m2 limits could be exceeded by a large margin, quite legally. Now imagine a valuer walking into such a room, which would give the appearance of a full size room.

[John the builder]

Well that is interesting, and confusing. I can't imagine a valuer measuring a room, including the height at all points, and having it conditional on the age of the child.

On the flip side, does this mean that if you had a sloping ceiling, you can exceed the 5m2 maximum by ignoring any area that is below 1.5m height? While you might not be able to stand against that wall, it is suitable for fridge, washer, vanity, benchtop, storage etc and by the time you come 700mm from the wall, you have enough height to stand. Now add a raised bed platform. This would also obviously apply to sleepouts as well so theoretically the 5, 10 or 30 m2 limits could be exceeded by a large margin, quite legally. Now imagine a valuer walking into such a room, which would give the appearance of a full size room.

build a sleepout
connect to house with verandah
enclose verandah 5m2 pr stage

but really you need to expect a challenge from council

the home improvement regs are unenforcable as the usurp the building act (and cant)?

[crashy]

The problem there is that the sleepout needs to be it's own height away from another building, so your enclosed veranda would essentially be a skinny hallway. That might work in some places but in Auckland it would waste a lot of space. However, when the exemptions change to 30m2, this hallway is a small sacrifice for a large increase in m2.

Side note, I've discovered that some regional councils already allow you to exceed the 10m2 limit for a sleepout. Tasman is 36m2, Waikato is 24m2

[John the builder]

The problem there is that the sleepout needs to be it's own height away from another building, so your enclosed veranda would essentially be a skinny hallway. That might work in some places but in Auckland it would waste a lot of space. However, when the exemptions change to 30m2, this hallway is a small sacrifice for a large increase in m2.

Side note, I've discovered that some regional councils already allow you to exceed the 10m2 limit for a sleepout. Tasman is 36m2, Waikato is 24m2

the verandah is a separate further floor area. (not counted in the 10 or 30m2)

Any reference for those 36 and 24m2 exemptions please?

[crashy]

I realise that, but it's still a waste of space (unless you make it a courtyard or something)

Can't seem to find the Waikato link

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.tasman.govt.nz/document/serve/5%2520-%2520Rural%2520Residential%2520Zone%2520Rules%2520for%2520Building%2520Construction%2520or%2520Alteration%2520-%2520May%25202020%2520-%2520V7.pdf%3Fpath%3D/EDMS/Public/Other/Policy/Plans/ResourceManagementPlan/BackgroundSupportingDocuments/SummaryGuides/000000176968&ved=2ahUKEwit7ZWv_pTqAhUJzDgGHb4YDqUQFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw0O616je7vkSGPhB2J0_oA5

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.kaipara.govt.nz/uploads/districtplan_operative/Operative%2520Kaipara%2520District%2520Plan%2520-%2520Chapter%252024%2520-%2520Definitions.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiw7Jezg5XqAhVQxjgGHSzyBTIQFjASegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw07NMx3qsERInSDuzdINton

[John the builder]

I realise that, but it's still a waste of space (unless you make it a courtyard or something)

Can't seem to find the Waikato link

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.tasman.govt.nz/document/serve/5%2520-%2520Rural%2520Residential%2520Zone%2520Rules%2520for%2520Building%2520Construction%2520or%2520Alteration%2520-%2520May%25202020%2520-%2520V7.pdf%3Fpath%3D/EDMS/Public/Other/Policy/Plans/ResourceManagementPlan/BackgroundSupportingDocuments/SummaryGuides/000000176968&ved=2ahUKEwit7ZWv_pTqAhUJzDgGHb4YDqUQFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw0O616je7vkSGPhB2J0_oA5

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...ERInSDuzdINton

These are both planning rules (RMA), the recent amendments are proposed for the building act