Outdoor fireplaces and pizza ovens are popular additions to New Zealand homes — they extend usable outdoor living space, add aesthetic value, and provide a social focal point. But before you start laying foundations for that masonry feature, it’s worth understanding what the regulations require and where the consent thresholds sit.
What Changed in August 2020
As of 31 August 2020, specific low-risk building projects — including outdoor fireplaces, barbecues, hangi pits, ovens, and braziers — became exempt from requiring a building consent, provided they meet specific conditions. This exemption was a practical acknowledgement that the consent process was not proportionate to the risk presented by a typical outdoor fireplace.
However, exempt from consent does not mean exempt from the Building Code. All exempt building work must still comply with the Building Code, and property owners remain responsible for ensuring their installation meets those requirements.
What the Exemption Covers
The consent exemption applies to outdoor fireplaces that are not connected to a building’s structure or services, are constructed of non-combustible materials, and meet the clearance distances from combustible materials and boundaries specified in the Building Code and any applicable resource consent conditions.
If your outdoor fireplace is attached to a wall of the house, incorporates a chimney that passes through the roof, or is part of a covered outdoor room, it is likely to be a different situation. Integrated outdoor cooking structures that form part of a permanent building may require consent regardless of their fuel type.
Resource Consent and Local Rules
Building consent is separate from resource consent. Even if your outdoor fireplace is building consent exempt, you may still need resource consent if your district plan restricts open fires, solid fuel burning, or structures in certain zones. Smoke and fire are also subject to the Resource Management Act and regional council air quality rules — particularly relevant in areas like Christchurch where wood burning restrictions apply in winter.
Fire Safety Clearances
The most important practical requirements for a safe outdoor fireplace are clearance distances from combustible materials (timber decks, fences, pergola structures, and eaves) and from property boundaries. These distances vary depending on the size and type of appliance, the materials used, and wind conditions typical for the site. When in doubt, consult your local council or a building professional — the exemption doesn’t transfer liability away from the property owner if something goes wrong.