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Granny flats building consent exemption becomes law on 15 January 2026

Posted: 15 January 2026

Family photo of 2 adults sitting either side a child on the doorstep of a house.
New Zealanders can now build granny flats in their backyards without the need for a building consent.

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 completed using the granny flats exemption must comply with the New Zealand Building Code. Homeowners must apply for and receive a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) from their council before building work starts and notify the council after completing the build by providing documentation such as final plans, Records of Work and certificates of compliance. 

Homeowners applying for a granny flat PIM may be required to pay a development contribution. These one-off charges help councils fund infrastructure and services to meet increased demand from new dwellings, with costs varying by council, dwelling size and service connections. If required, payment is due within 20 working days after building work is completed. 

If a homeowner is unsure whether their building work needs a building consent or if they’d need to pay development contributions or other fees for their granny flat, they should contact their local council.   

To further support the initiative, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has published comprehensive guidance and templates for homeowners, builders, councils and designers. These resources cover how the exemption works, the responsibilities involved, and considerations for homeowners, including the importance of using licensed building professionals. 

Granny flats exemption: Guidance and resources 

The granny flats building consent exemption operates alongside the Resource Management Act 1991. Also becoming law on 15 January 2026, the National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units (NES-DMRU) allows minor residential units to be built without a resource consent, provided certain permitted activity standards and criteria are met. The NES-DMRU and the building consent exemption can operate independently. 

National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units (NES-DMRU)  – environment.govt.nz

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This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: