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Granny flat resources for councils

Last updated: 3 July 2026

Council official doing paperwork

Resources to help councils support homeowners through the granny flats exemption process.

Video: council responsibilities under the granny flats exemption

Video Transcript

Under the granny flats exemption, councils have a reduced but clearly defined statutory role. 

This is a pathway where councils provide site-specific information to the homeowner, not an approval or certification pathway.

What councils do 

Councils:

  • receive permit applications
  • issue project information memorandums (PIM)
  • provide additional information required under the Building Act
  • receive and store completion documentation
  • issue development contribution notices, where relevant
  • use enforcement powers when non-compliance is identified. 

What councils do not do

Councils do not:

  • approve or refuse building work associated with granny flats
  • review or approve construction plans
  • inspect building work
  • certify Building Code compliance
  • issue a Code Compliance Certificate. 

The role of the PIM

A PIM is mandatory and must be issued before building work starts. 

It is the main statutory mechanism for providing site-specific information and recording notification, but it is informational, not determinative. 

Councils should:

  • check that PIM applications are complete and valid
  • issue the PIM within the statutory timeframe
  • provide additional information where required — Including natural hazard information. 

Councils should not use the PIM process to assess:

  • design compliance
  • exemption eligibility. 

During construction

During construction, councils have no inspection, supervision or approval role. 

Staff should avoid informal or advisory site involvement or conduct that could be interpreted as endorsement, approval or monitoring. 

If a concern arises, it should be treated as a regulatory matter, not an advisory one. 

At completion

At completion, councils receive and retain records.

Couincils do not assess them for technical accuracy or compliance. 

Their role is to:

  • link the records to the property file
  • use normal enforcement powers.

This includes where projects:

  • fall outside the exemption
  • proceed without a PIM
  • continue after a PIM lapses or otherwise become consented work.

Key points for councils

For councils, the key is to:

  • be clear on their role and responsibilities
  • provide the required information
  • receive the required records
  • avoid stepping into an approval or certification role. 

More information

To help administer the pathway consistently, download this quick guide:

Councils' quick guide: granny flats building consent exemption [PDF 1.2MB]

  • A council’s role is limited to issuing project information memoranda (PIMs), collecting development contributions and storing records for exempt granny flats.
  • Councils do not inspect, approve or certify compliance for exempt work.
  • Councils must provide site-specifc information and advice in the PIM but are not liable for the compliance of the build. 

Start here

Plan

Work out if the project is eligible and ready to start.

Design

Preparing a design and meeting exemption conditions.

Forms

Build

Carrying out building work and keeping records.

Complete

Finishing the project and providing the required documents.

Forms

Full guidance and legislation

Granny flats exemption guidance [PDF 4MB]

Detailed guidance and legislation for the granny flats exemption (over 100 pages).

Top

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: