Consent for fireplace in Sauna

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boingoboingo

20 posts

Geek
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#279872 13-Nov-2020 21:48

Hi there,

I'm building a sauna in our backyard. It's basically a 2.5m x 1.9m shed with a woodburner in it.
Because it is a small shed it won't need consent, but I just now realized that I might need consent for the fireplace.

Quick search on the interner shows that most sauna-sellers in NZ don't mention consent - or explicitely say that saunas don't need consent. But I can't find a clear rule on the council website.

Whaddayathink? Should I bother asking? Or do people just rolll with it? I'm confident it's safe and secure, and the building itsself is built according to standards.

Thanks!

nutbugs

272 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Lifetime subscriber

#2603566 13-Nov-2020 23:01

I would suggest that the reason most saunas don't need consent is that they use purpose built electric heating units.
A wood burner is likely to need consent if it is enclosed within a structure regardless of the purpose I would expect.
Doesn't mean I would get one necessarily 😉

esawers

559 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 94

#2603572 13-Nov-2020 23:52

If the sauna is closer than it’s own height to any boundary fence or house, it will probably still need consent.

Zeon

3926 posts

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#2603597 14-Nov-2020 08:03

Not sur eof your area but I believe a fireplace would usually require a consent. Whether its worth pursueing one is your choice. If your sauna burns down and insurance refuses to pay its not going to be the end of the world and if someone objets when you sell your house just remove it.

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kobiak

1615 posts

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#2603635 14-Nov-2020 10:23

Contact your council, I know couple people with wood burner saunas and consent was not required. One at whangaparoa and another rural kumeu Auckland.

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boingoboingo

20 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 15

#2604552 16-Nov-2020 09:18

Thanks for your replies.

I guess the right answer was there all along: I should talk to the council to figure out if I need a permit, but if I'm not fussed I don't really need to. ;-).

I'll call the council and have a chat...

Thanks again