Removing a window, door or wall

Exterior doors and windows

If you're replacing an existing window or door that’s older than 15 years old, you generally won’t need building consent.

Note: You'll need building consent if the original doorway or window was installed within the past 15 years and has failed. This means it hasn't met the durability requirements of the Building Code.

You’ll also need building consent if work on your window or door will modify or affect any specified system, such as sprinklers or fire alarms, or your ability to safely escape the building if there is a fire.

If you are covering up a door or window opening with external claddings and internal linings, you won’t need building consent if you ensure you still meet Building Code requirements for ventilation, natural light, and that you can see what is going on outside.

Internal doors and walls

You won’t usually need building consent to change, remove or construct internal doors and walls, unless the change will affect your ability to safely escape the building if there is a fire.

Note: You'll need building consent if the wall you are removing is load bearing, has bracing, is a firewall, or is made of masonry materials like brick or concrete. It’s important to get consent for this work not only for safety reasons, but also so you don’t have problems when you come to sell your home.

Alterations for access for disabled people

You can make alterations to existing exterior and interior doorways to improve access for wheelchairs without building consent. You also won’t need a consent for most access ramps, but a safety barrier will be needed where the ramp is 1 metre or more above ground level.