Guide to Granny Flats
The Government has recently passed legislation which will enable the construction of granny flats (also known as a Minor Residential Unit) up to 70m2 without resource consent or building consent. The aim is to make it significantly easier for New Zealanders to build granny flats on their properties
Resource Consents:
By the end of 2025, it is expected that national direction will be introduced to remove the requirement for resource consent across the country within residential, rural, mixed use and Māori purpose zones.
Whilst the new legislation removes the requirements for Resource Consent in principle, there are still a number of criteria which must be met before it can be confirmed that no resource consent is required. These criteria include;
- Natural hazards and District Plan overlays;
- Site coverage;
- Building setback; and
- Number of granny flats on site.
Before you start your project, it is important that all planning requirements are understood.
Building Consents:
In early 2026, the Building Act exemptions will be updated so that granny flats which meet certain requirements can proceed without Building Consent. Some of the requirements include:
- Building dimensions: 70m2 or less, single story, maximum flood level 1m above ground level, 2m from any other boundary;
- A Project Information Memorandum be obtained prior to construction commencing;
- Works be signed off by a Licensed Building Practitioner
Works which may still require building consent include but is not limited to:
- Building on land where a natural hazard exists.
Development Contributions:
Development Contributions (also known as Financial Contributions) may still be levied for your project, therefore it is important that you are aware of these fees to avoid any nasty surprises. Most Councils will have information on how to calculate the expected contributions, however we can also assist with this. These are typically required to be paid to Council within 20 days of completion of building work.
Summary:
Although this legislation is a significant step forward in making development easier for you, the legislation will not exempt all projects from building consent and/or resource consent. That’s where we come in; our knowledgeable team are here to assist with guiding you through the new legislation. Contact us today for no obligation advice on your upcoming project.
Relevant websites:
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/granny-flats-get-consent-free-go-ahead