# New Zealand Building Code: One National Rule Book New Zealand runs a single national Building Code with Acceptable Solutions — no regional variations. Here are the rules and the calculators that solve them. - Canonical HTML: https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/ - Publisher: Chippy Tools - Language: en - Updated: 2026-09-13 [Browse all topics](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/topics/)[Free web tools](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/tools/)[Printable references](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/printables/) [All countries](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/) [New Zealand](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/) Topics Stairs - [NZ Stair & Barrier Rules: Riser, Tread, Handrails, Barriers](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) Roofing - [NZ Minimum Roof Pitch (E2/AS1): Tiles vs Metal](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/roofing/minimum-roof-pitch/) Footings - [NZ House Foundations & 'Good Ground' (NZS 3604)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/) Room heights - [NZ Ceiling Heights: Building Code and Housing Rules](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/) Ramps - [NZ Ramp Gradients (NZBC D1)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/ramps/ramp-gradients/) Wet areas - [Wet Area Waterproofing (NZ E3/AS1)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/) Calculation guides - [Concrete Calculations: The Complete On-Site Guide](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-calculations-guide/) - [How to Calculate Concrete Volume for a Slab](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-volume-slab/) - [How Many Bags of Concrete Per m³? (20kg, 25kg, 40kg)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/bags-of-concrete-per-m3/) - [Concrete for Post Holes: Volume Per Hole & Bags Needed](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-post-holes/) - [Concrete Mix Ratios Explained: 1:2:3, 1:2:4 & Water-Cement Ratio](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-mix-ratios/) - [Roof Pitch to Angle: Convert Rise/Run to Degrees & Grade](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/roof-pitch-to-angle/) - [Rafter Length Calculation: Run, Rise & Overhang](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/rafter-length/) - [Stair Rise & Run Setout: Riser, Going & the 2R+G Formula](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stair-rise-and-run-setout/) - [How to Convert a Fall or Gradient: Ratio, Percentage & Degrees](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/fall-and-gradient-conversion/) - [Stud & Joist Spacing Takeoff: How Many at 400, 450 & 600 mm Centres](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stud-and-joist-spacing-takeoff/) - [Gravel & Base Volume: Compacted Depth vs Loose-Fill Order Quantity](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/gravel-and-base-volume/) In this section [Browse all topics](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/topics/)[Free web tools](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/tools/)[Printable references](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/printables/) [All countries](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/) [New Zealand](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/) Topics Stairs - [NZ Stair & Barrier Rules: Riser, Tread, Handrails, Barriers](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) Roofing - [NZ Minimum Roof Pitch (E2/AS1): Tiles vs Metal](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/roofing/minimum-roof-pitch/) Footings - [NZ House Foundations & 'Good Ground' (NZS 3604)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/) Room heights - [NZ Ceiling Heights: Building Code and Housing Rules](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/) Ramps - [NZ Ramp Gradients (NZBC D1)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/ramps/ramp-gradients/) Wet areas - [Wet Area Waterproofing (NZ E3/AS1)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/) Calculation guides - [Concrete Calculations: The Complete On-Site Guide](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-calculations-guide/) - [How to Calculate Concrete Volume for a Slab](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-volume-slab/) - [How Many Bags of Concrete Per m³? (20kg, 25kg, 40kg)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/bags-of-concrete-per-m3/) - [Concrete for Post Holes: Volume Per Hole & Bags Needed](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-post-holes/) - [Concrete Mix Ratios Explained: 1:2:3, 1:2:4 & Water-Cement Ratio](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-mix-ratios/) - [Roof Pitch to Angle: Convert Rise/Run to Degrees & Grade](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/roof-pitch-to-angle/) - [Rafter Length Calculation: Run, Rise & Overhang](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/rafter-length/) - [Stair Rise & Run Setout: Riser, Going & the 2R+G Formula](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stair-rise-and-run-setout/) - [How to Convert a Fall or Gradient: Ratio, Percentage & Degrees](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/fall-and-gradient-conversion/) - [Stud & Joist Spacing Takeoff: How Many at 400, 450 & 600 mm Centres](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stud-and-joist-spacing-takeoff/) - [Gravel & Base Volume: Compacted Depth vs Loose-Fill Order Quantity](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/gravel-and-base-volume/) [Building Codes](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/) New Zealand # New Zealand Building Code: One National Rule Book New Zealand runs a single national Building Code with Acceptable Solutions, so there are no regional variations to track — just the rules and the calculators that solve them. ## Rules by topic Find guidance for the work you are doing, then confirm the requirements for your building and location. ### Stairs - [NZ Stair & Barrier Rules: Riser, Tread, Handrails, Barriers](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) ### Roofing - [NZ Minimum Roof Pitch (E2/AS1): Tiles vs Metal](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/roofing/minimum-roof-pitch/) ### Footings & slabs - [NZ House Foundations & 'Good Ground' (NZS 3604)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/) ### Room heights - [NZ Ceiling Heights: Building Code and Housing Rules](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/) ### Ramps - [NZ Ramp Gradients (NZBC D1)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/ramps/ramp-gradients/) ### Wet areas - [Wet Area Waterproofing (NZ E3/AS1)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/) ## One code for the whole country New Zealand has **one** Building Code, and it covers the whole country. There are no state, regional or council versions. Whether you build in Auckland, Christchurch or a small rural town, the same national rules apply. Every council checks your work against the same book. The Building Code is run by **MBIE** (the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment). It sets out what a building has to do — stay standing, keep people safe, keep the weather out — but not always the exact numbers. ## Where the numbers come from Most of the numbers a chippy sets out on site come from an **Acceptable Solution**. That’s a recipe MBIE writes that is “deemed to comply” — if you build to it, the council accepts it without argument. For stairs that’s **D1/AS1**, and for barriers it’s **F4/AS1**. The Acceptable Solution is the standard path, but it is **not the only legal path**. A designer can instead use a **Verification Method** (a test or calculation) or an **Alternative Solution** (a different design that still meets the Code). Those can carry different numbers. So treat the numbers on these pages as the normal, safe route — not the only one allowed. One more thing: MBIE updates these documents. Always check the current amendment on [building.govt.nz](https://www.building.govt.nz/) before you sign off on a job. Sourced from the New Zealand Building Code, © Crown copyright, reused under NZGOAL / Creative Commons Attribution. This page is general information for tradespeople and is not compliance, engineering or legal advice. Requirements are subject to state and territory variations and adoption timing. Always confirm requirements with your building certifier and relevant state authority. ## Page directory - [NZ Ceiling Heights: Building Code and Housing Rules](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/index.md): Check the Building Code and the separate housing regulations before choosing a ceiling height. New and existing have specific legal meanings. - [NZ House Foundations & 'Good Ground' (NZS 3604)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/index.md): What 'good ground' means, the 200 mm minimum embedment, and why frost and ground movement need a site assessment. - [NZ Minimum Roof Pitch (E2/AS1): Tiles vs Metal](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/roofing/minimum-roof-pitch/index.md): The E2/AS1 minimum roof pitch for profiled metal, metal tile, concrete and clay tile, including the roof-length limits and adjustments. - [NZ Ramp Gradients (NZBC D1)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/ramps/ramp-gradients/index.md): New Zealand's ramp slopes by type — 1:12 accessible, 1:10 wet, 1:8 dry — from the D1/AS1 access-route rules. - [NZ Stair & Barrier Rules: Riser, Tread, Handrails, Barriers](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/index.md): The NZ Building Code numbers for a main house stair — 190 mm max riser, 280 mm min tread, 900/1000 mm barriers — from the D1/AS1 and F4/AS1 Acceptable Solutions. - [Wet Area Waterproofing (NZ E3/AS1)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/nz/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/index.md): The E3/AS1 numbers for a NZ bathroom — 1800 mm up a shower wall, a 150 mm upstand at baths and basins, and how far the impervious floor has to reach.