Feature article
Granny flat regulations: New rules make it cheaper and easier to build
Keeping Nana in the neighbourhood
28 January 2026
AI summary
New regulations make building a granny flat easier by removing building and resource consent requirements for standalone dwellings up to 70sqm. To qualify, the unit must be a simple, single-storey design using lightweight materials and be supervised by Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs).
This change can save homeowners thousands in fees and weeks in time. However, you must still obtain a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) from your council and may need to pay significant Development Contributions for local infrastructure.
What are the new granny flat rules?
What qualifies as an exempt ‘granny flat’?
How much can you save?
How to get started?
Kitset and design-build options
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