5 Common Council Issues with Shed Projects, and How to Navigate Them

Planning to build a shed? Before you start pouring concrete or ordering materials, it’s essential to understand what your local council might require. Councils across New Zealand have strict regulations designed to protect the environment, maintain community standards, and ensure safety. If your project doesn’t tick all the right boxes, you could face unexpected delays, additional costs, or even a declined consent application.

In this article, we break down 5 common issues that councils flag when reviewing shed building projects, from zoning challenges and setback rules to earthworks and natural landscapes restrictions. More importantly, we’ll show you how to navigate each one confidently so your shed gets the green light without unnecessary headaches.

Whether you're building a farm workshop, storage shed, or lifestyle structure, knowing what to expect and how to respond can save you weeks of back-and-forth and help get your project off the ground faster.

5 Common Issues:

1. Resource Consent
2. Areas of Natural Beauty
3. Earthworks Restrictions
4. Building on Land Subject to Natural Hazards
5. Compliance

Resource Consent

In some cases, you may need a resource consent in addition to your standard building consent. This is often required when your shed project impacts the environment or doesn’t fully comply with the rules in your district or unitary plan. Here are the most common reasons a resource consent might be triggered:

Boundary Setbacks:

Most councils have rules around how close you can build to a boundary. For example, rural zones might require a 10-metre setback, while residential zones often require 1–3 metres. If your shed is too close, you’ll need resource consent to proceed, or you'll have to adjust your design. For information on how close you can build to your boundary, click here.

Height Restrictions:

Councils limit how tall structures can be, especially near boundaries, to protect sunlight access and maintain neighbourhood aesthetics. If your shed’s height exceeds these limits—either in overall height or due to roof pitch—consent will be needed.

Cladding Colour & Visual Impact:

In scenic or sensitive areas, councils may enforce controls to ensure new buildings blend in with the environment. You may be required to use darker, non-reflective cladding, natural timber tones, or specific roofing materials. This is common in regions like Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes, and coastal areas.

Flood Zones:

If your land is in a floodplain, you may need to raise the shed floor level, design appropriate drainage, or even relocate the shed to a safer area of the site. Councils typically use GIS mapping tools to flag flood risk areas, so it's worth checking this early.

Stormwater Disposal:

Sheds with large roof areas collect significant rainwater. Councils will want to know how this water will be managed to avoid erosion, flooding, or runoff into neighbouring properties. You may need to install soak pits, retention tanks, or connect to stormwater infrastructure if available.

Each of these issues can usually be worked through with the right preparation and advice. It’s important to involve professionals early, such as planners or your shed supplier, to help keep your project on track and avoid costly delays.

Areas of Natural Beauty

Constructing sheds in designated areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as the Waitākere Ranges, often involves additional assessment by the council. The Auckland Unitary Plan mandates that developments in these areas must preserve the natural landscape's integrity. This includes considerations of visual impact, natural landforms, and vegetation. Engaging with the council early and possibly consulting with environmental experts can aid in designing a shed that meets these strict requirements.​

Earthworks Restrictions

Earthworks, including excavation and land modification, are regulated to prevent environmental degradation. In certain regions, earthworks are restricted to specific times of the year. For instance, in Auckland, the designated earthworks season runs from October 1 to April 30. Outside this period, restrictions tighten, especially for larger sites or sites near water bodies. Consent applications must include detailed plans, erosion and sediment control measures, and assessments of potential environmental impacts. Adhering to these regulations ensures the protection of natural resources and compliance with local laws.​

Building on Land Subject to Natural Hazards

If your proposed shed site is prone to natural hazards like flooding, erosion, or landslides, the council will assess the risks before granting consent. Building on such land may require additional engineering reports and design modifications to mitigate potential dangers. In some cases, the council may impose conditions on the consent or even decline it to ensure safety and compliance with the Building Act 2004.​

Compliance 

Ensuring your shed complies with all relevant consents is vital. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, fines, or orders to remove the structure. If you believe a council decision is unjust, you have the right to appeal or lodge a formal complaint. Engaging with the council proactively and maintaining clear communication can often resolve issues before they escalate.​

Conclusion

Securing council approval can be one of the more challenging aspects of building a shed, particularly when navigating regional rules or sensitive environments. At Alpine, we’ve been involved in shed projects for over 30 years and have completed more than 5,000 builds across the country. That experience means we're familiar with the different councils and their processes, and we’ve built working relationships that help us handle compliance requirements more effectively. Our dedicated team understands where to find the right information and how to keep things moving, so the paperwork doesn’t slow your project down.