Granny flats designed to skip the building consent.
Since 15 January 2026 a small standalone home of up to 70 m² can be built without a building consent, if it meets every condition. We design granny flats and minor dwellings that tick every box, so you get the speed of the exemption without the risk.
What the granny flat exemption allows
The Building Act exemption for granny flats came into force on 15 January 2026. In summary, a granny flat can be built without a building consent when it is:
- up to 70 m² in floor area, single storey and detached
- of simple design, and compliant with the Building Code
- at least 2 m from legal boundaries and from other residential buildings
- built or supervised by Licensed Building Practitioners for restricted building work
You still apply for a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) before building starts, and give council the completion records when the work is finished. Development contributions and service connection costs can still apply.
MBIE has announced changes to the exemption from 8 October 2026. We keep up with the detail and confirm the current rules for your project.
"No consent" doesn't mean "no plans"
A granny flat still has to be designed properly, sized to qualify, and documented for council notification. Step outside one condition, such as a level-entry shower that needs a waterproof membrane or a wall closer than 2 m to the boundary, and the exemption no longer applies. That means a full building consent, with the delay and cost the exemption was meant to avoid.
What we do for you
- Check your site: zoning, boundaries, services, hazards and whether the resource consent side is covered
- Design a compact, liveable layout that meets every exemption condition
- Prepare the drawings and details your builder needs to build and price it
- Prepare the PIM application and completion paperwork
- Show you a 70 m² option alongside a larger consented design, if that suits your site better
Granny flat questions
Do I still need plans for a consent-exempt granny flat?
Yes. The exemption removes the building consent, not the need for good design and documentation. The flat must still meet the Building Code, the work must be done or supervised by Licensed Building Practitioners, and you need a PIM before you start and completion records afterwards.
How big can a consent-exempt granny flat be?
Up to 70 square metres of floor area, single storey and detached, with a simple design. It must sit at least 2 metres from boundaries and other residential buildings.
Do I need a resource consent?
Often not. A national standard for granny flats allows one minor residential unit per site in residential and rural zones without resource consent, as long as it meets that standard's conditions. Outside those conditions, or where your district plan adds rules, a resource consent may be needed. We check this for your site.
What does a granny flat cost to build?
As a guide, New Zealand build rates for granny flats run from about $2,500 to $5,000 per square metre depending on finish level, before site works, connections and council contributions. Use our brief builder for a figure based on your size, region and finish level.