70m2 Granny Flat Rules
It's not as simple as you might think
Granny Flats - What's Changed
New Zealand's new building consent exemption has been making headlines as a win for homeowners wanting to build a granny flat quickly and cheaply.
And in some situations, it genuinely is. But there's a lot the headlines leave out - and if you're planning to build, you need the full picture before you commit.
What the Exemption Actually Does
Here's the honest version: the Building Code still applies in full. Every standard, every regulation, every compliance requirement. The exemption simply removes the council consent process as the mechanism for checking those standards are met - and puts that responsibility onto you and your builder instead.
Think of it less as deregulation and more as a shift in who holds the accountability. Under the standard consent pathway, council inspections and sign-offs create a paper trail that protects you if something goes wrong later. Under the exemption, that safety net is gone. What's left in its place is you, your builder, and a documentation pack that had better be watertight.
The short version: all the same building standards still apply. You just skip the council consent process. You are still fully legally liable if anything is built below the required standard.
The Conditions You Must Meet
To use the exemption, every single one of the following conditions must be satisfied. If even one is missed, the exemption doesn't apply - and you may have an unconsented building on your hands, which creates serious legal and financial problems down the track.
See the Conditions
New build only - no conversions or modifications to existing structures
Single-storey with no mezzanine
Standalone and detached from other buildings
Self-contained and fully compliant with Building Code requirements for a detached dwelling
Intended for a single household or family
Floor area of 70 square metres or less
Maximum floor level 1 metre above supporting ground
Maximum building height 4 metres above floor level
At least 2 metres from other residential buildings and legal boundaries
Not built across allotment boundaries
Lightweight roof cladding - maximum 20kg per square metre
Wall cladding - maximum 220kg per square metre
Light steel or timber framing only
Independent electricity and water supply
No more than 30 plumbing fixture units, no pumped systems inside the building
The District Plan is a separate matter entirely.
The building consent exemption says nothing about your council's District Plan. Zoning rules, density restrictions, heritage overlays, and local setback requirements all still apply - and they vary significantly from one property to the next. A build that meets every exemption condition could still be non-compliant under your District Plan, and that's a problem that won't show up until you try to sell or refinance.
The Process, Step by Step
Even without building consent, there's a defined process you're required to follow. Skipping steps doesn't just create compliance risk — it can leave you without the documentation you need to protect your investment long-term.
Step 1 — Before Anything Else
Confirm your property and build qualify
Check the exemption conditions, your council's District Plan, and whether resource consent is needed for your specific site. This step alone can determine whether the exemption is even viable for your property.
Step 2 — Council
Apply for a Project Information Memorandum (PIM)
A PIM is required even without building consent. It identifies natural hazards, infrastructure requirements, and any constraints on your site. It also starts your two-year build clock — all work must be completed within two years of PIM issue.
Step 3 — Design
Finalise plans with a Licensed Building Practitioner
All restricted design work must be completed by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) who will sign a Certificate of Work. Plans must fully comply with the Building Code — no exceptions, no shortcuts.
Step 4 — Construction
Build to plans and document everything
Every stage must be documented — foundations, framing, fit-out, services. Photos, site notes, inspection records, and any variation approvals. This documentation is the only proof of compliance you'll have without a council consent process.
Step 5 — Sign-Off
Collect all Records of Work and safety certificates
You'll need Records of Work from all LBPs, an electrical safety certificate, plumbing and drainage records, and gas certificates if applicable. These replace the council's code compliance certificate and must be kept for the life of the building.
Step 6 — Completion
Submit your documentation to council within 20 working days
All documentation must be submitted to your council within 20 working days of completing the build. Notify your lender and insurer too — they'll need records of the completed build, and your council file needs to be complete for any future sale or refinancing.
Is the Exemption Right for You?
The exemption isn't a bad thing - it's a genuinely useful pathway for the right buyer in the right situation. The key question is whether that's you.
It tends to work best for lifestyle and rural property owners who already have on-site services, and for homeowners who need speed and are working with an experienced builder who has the compliance process well in hand.
It gets more complicated on urban sections where reticulated service connections require separate approvals, on properties in complex zoning areas, or anywhere the District Plan introduces restrictions that aren't immediately obvious. The risk in those situations isn't that the exemption won't work - it's that you won't find out it doesn't work until well after the build is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need any council involvement at all?
Yes. You still need to apply for a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) before you start, and you must submit your full documentation to council within 20 working days of completing the build. The exemption removes the consent and inspection process - not council involvement entirely.
What happens if something goes wrong and there's no consent?
Liability sits with you as the property owner and with your licensed building professionals. Without a council code compliance certificate, the only proof you have that the build met the Building Code is the documentation collected during construction. Gaps in that record can be very costly to resolve - especially at the point of sale or refinancing.
Will my bank or insurer accept an exemption-pathway build?
Not automatically. Some lenders and insurers have their own requirements that go beyond the exemption rules. Check with your specific lender and insurer before committing to this pathway - ideally before construction starts.
Does the exemption cover connecting to town water and sewer?
No. Connections to reticulated water, sewer, or stormwater networks require approval from the relevant network utility operator regardless of the building consent exemption. For many urban sections, this is a separate process that still takes time and carries its own requirements.
How does a Leisure Built transportable home fit this process?
Our homes are built to a consistent, well-documented standard before they ever reach your site. We can walk you through what's needed for your specific property - including the PIM process, District Plan checks, and services connections - so there are no surprises down the track.
