Making it easier to build granny flats and small standalone dwellings is the aim of changes due to come into effect from early 2026.
Making it easier to build small standalone dwellings looks set to improve affordable housing options and ensure Kiwis have safe, healthy and durable homes to live in, says the Government, as it announced a building consent exemption for granny flats is expected to be in force by early 2026.
Giving New Zealanders more housing options, such as high-quality smaller homes, the Government says means it can:
-
support families with different housing needs and budgets
-
cater for Aotearoa New Zealand’s changing population and ways of living
Changing the building consent rules
Until the law changes, small standalone dwellings still need a building consent.
Work is underway to enable small standalone dwellings to be built without a building consent, expected to be in force by early 2026. This will be called a ‘building consent exemption’.
Building consent exemption for small standalone dwellings (granny flats)
The proposed building consent exemption will allow small standalone dwellings up to 70 square metres in size, commonly known as granny flats, to be built without a building consent if:
-
it has a simple design and meets the Building Code
-
building work is carried out or supervised by licensed building professionals
-
homeowners notify their local council before they commence building and once it is completed
Find more information on the proposed building consent exemption conditions:
Current building consent rules for small standalone dwellings
Until the law changes, small standalone dwellings still need a building consent.
If you start building before the proposed exemption comes into effect, or you have already built a small standalone dwelling, it needs a building consent. Even if it meets the proposed building consent exemption criteria.
If you are unsure whether your building work needs a building consent, check with your local council.
Funding infrastructure
To support councils with local infrastructure funding for growing communities, the Government has agreed that infrastructure charges (also known as development contributions) will apply to small standalone dwellings.
These will be charged by the council through the Project Information Memorandum (PIM) process.
Councils use funds from infrastructure charges to help pay for the increased demand new homes place on infrastructure. This typically includes transport, water, wastewater, stormwater, parks and reserves, and community facilities such as libraries.
Resource Management Act
Changes relating to the resource consent system are being managed through the Ministry for the Environment.
The Government aims for both the building system and resource management system changes to be progressed alongside each other.
