Granny Flats Exemption

Granny flats building consent exemption in effect from 15 January 2026.

What is the granny flats exemption?

The granny flats building consent exemption allows certain new, single-storey, standalone dwellings up to 70 square metres to be built without a building consent, provided all exemption conditions are met, and the work is carried out or supervised by licensed building professionals.

All building work under the exemption must comply with the New Zealand Building Code.

The granny flats exemption allows certain small, standalone dwellings to be built without a building consent, provided all conditions are met and licensed building professionals are used.

Council’s role is to provide information, issue PIMs and store records – not to approve, inspect or certify exempt granny flats.

Homeowners are responsible for compliance with all exemption conditions and the Building Code. If in doubt, engage a licensed building professional.

If the exemption conditions are not met, a building consent is required. Non-compliance may result in enforcement action against the homeowner and/ or the licensed building professional responsible for the work.

Homeowner responsibilities

Homeowners are responsible for:

• applying for a PIM (Form 2AA of the Building (Forms) Regulations 2004)
• obtaining a PIM (Forms 2AAB and 2AAC of the Building (Forms) Regulations 2004) from the council before starting any building work
• ensuring all exemption conditions are met and that the building work complies with the Building Code
• ensuring licensed building professionals are used for all restricted building work
• submitting all required documentation to council within 20 working days of completion
• paying any development contributions as notified
• applying for a building consent if the exemption conditions are not met
• non-compliance may result in enforcement action, fines, or prosecution

Key conditions of the exemption

The dwelling must be:

• new, standalone, and single storey
• no more than 70 square metres in floor area (including any internal garage)
• two metres or more from any other residential building or legal boundary
• built using lightweight steel or timber framing and lightweight roof cladding
• wall claddings with a maximum weight of 220 kilograms per square metre
• connected to network utility operator (NUO) systems where available, or have compliant on-site systems
• not contain a level-entry shower requiring a waterproof membrane
• designed and built (or supervised) by licensed building professionals
• all plumbing, drainage, electrical and gas work must be carried out by appropriately licensed professionals and certified as required
• the build must be completed within two years of the PIM being issued – extensions may be granted by council before the two-year period lapses.

Where to find out more information:

Granny flats exemption: Guidance and resources | Building Performance