Building a new shed is a long-term investment. Whether you own an urban quarter-acre, a lifestyle block, or a farm, you need a shed that fits your purpose, your available space, and New Zealand’s building regulations. This guide explores common shed sizes in NZ and what they’re best used for, helping you plan out precisely the right size shed for your needs.
The single biggest regret many Kiwis have after building a shed is that they didn’t build big enough. To avoid falling into this trap, you need to be sure of your specific needs - why you are building the shed and what it is for.
A good rule of thumb for this one is to measure everything you plan to store in the shed, allow extra space for things like workshop benches, storage cabinets, and easy movement within the shed, and then add at least 20% extra floor area to accommodate future or unforeseen needs (like the ride-on mower, or the kids’ ever-growing collection of sports/hobby gear).
Technically speaking, you can build a shed any size you want, however when weighing up cost effectiveness, there are a few things to take into account when settling on your preferred shed size.
The most economical bay widths are 3.6m,and 4.8m here in NZ and common depths are 6m, 9m or 12m deep. However, sizing will depend on the individual circumstances, here is a rough guide to common sizes for each shed type.
3m×2.4m (7.2 m²) - The Classic Garden Shed
This is the quintessential small garden shed, perfect for properties where space is at a premium. At 7.2 m², it’s highly versatile and falls into the consent-exempt category (see below).
These types of garden sheds are great for tidying up the back yard and storage of bulky items such as the lawnmower, garden tools, a wheelbarrow and bikes.
6m×6m (36 m²) - The Standard Double Garage
This size is a standard for suburban double garages or dedicated workshop space. It provides enough room for a genuine workroom or secure vehicle storage (but not both, unfortunately!). At 36 m2,this shed requires a building consent in all New Zealand council regions.
You are looking at fitting two regular-sized vehicles in this space, leaving a narrow perimeter for shelving/storage. As a home workshop, you will fit a good-sized workbench, a large toolbox, a compressor, deep shelving on two walls, a large ride-on lawnmower, and ample space to move about.
9m×12m (108 m²) - The Large Industrial/Farm Garage
This dimensions of these sheds moves into the territory of farm sheds and commercial storage, or lifestyle block sheds with extensive equipment (e.g. boats, caravans, earth moving gear).
You could fit a boat on a trailer, atractor or farm vehicle, a horse float, plus a dedicated workshop bay. Or if for commercial use, racking for pallets, multiple work vehicles, or a full-scale fabrication workshop
19.2m×4.8m (Approx. 92.16 m²) - The Pole Shed
This extended, narrow configuration is typical of a pole shed or hay barn and is often found on lifestyle blocks and farms around NZ. The 19.2m length is usually divided into 4×4.8m bays.
Pole sheds are excellent for storing machinery, animal feed, quad bikes, trailers, tractors, horse floats and much more!
Understanding New Zealand’s building regulations is essential when looking into building a shed. The general rule,set by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), states that a single-storey detached building not exceeding 30m2 in floor area may be built withouta building consent, provided it meets the following criteria:
Generally speaking, a shed measuring less than 10 m² is exempt from consent requirements if it meets the height and boundary setback requirements. Anything from 10 m² to 30 m² is exempt if built by a Licensed Building Practitioner or using an approved kitset reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng), as well as adhering to all exemption rules.
Consent is usually required for sheds larger than 30 m² (with some exemptions for farm sheds up to 110 m²) and those that contain toilets or shower facilities. You will need to factor in the time and cost involved in navigating the full building consent process. See here for more on whether or not you need consent for your shed.
Disclaimer: Building rules can vary between local councils and specific zones (e.g. high-wind,coastal, or flood zones). Always check with your local council before finalising your plans.
One final thought on shed size is to have a think about usability - a well-designed shed is accessible and functional, and most importantly, multipurpose. Keep the following in mind when deciding on the final floor size for your shed.
1. Do All Farm Sheds Need Building Consent?
No, if your shed’s internal floor area does not exceed 110 square metres and meets the other requirements of the NZ Building Code for exemptions, you do not need a consent.
2. What Is The Most Common Bay Size For Pole Sheds?
The most common bay sizefor pole sheds in NZ is 4.8 m.
3. What Is A Licensed Building Practitioner?
A Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) is a tradesperson or professional in New Zealand who has been assessed as competent to carry out or supervise certain types of work. Specifically,work that is critical to a building's structure or weather tightness.
4. How Big Is A Standard Double Garage In NZ?
A standard double garageis usually 6m x 6m in New Zealand.
5. Can I Design My Own Shed?
Yes! You can explore shed designs, customise to them your needs, then submit your plans for a detailed quote using the GreenWood’s3D Farm Shed Configurator tool found here.
Choosing the right shed size in NewZealand comes down to careful planning, knowing your future needs, and understanding the 30 m² consent threshold. Measure your gear, choose a size category that accommodates any extra space needed, and check with your council to make sure your project is compliant from day one, and you can’t go wrong! Need more assistance? Give GreenWood’s 3D Farm Shed Configurator a go and plan and price your perfect shed today!