In force since 15 January 2026
Granny flats up to 70 m²: the plain-English guide
New Zealand now lets you build a simple, single-storey standalone granny flat of up to 70 m² without a building consent — if every condition is met. Here's what that means, and how we can help.
General guidance only. This page summarises information from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Government. It doesn't replace the Building Act, the Building Code, your council's requirements or professional advice — and the rules can change.
1. Check the basics
Answer these six questions for your section. They're the same checks we run with every customer.
-
1
Is there an existing dwelling on the property?
The granny flat has to sit alongside a main home. -
2
Is the new building 70 m² or less (internal floor area)?
Every Hari design is 70 m² or under. -
3
Is the new building at least 2.0 m away from any other building?
Including the main house. -
4
Is the roof no more than 4.0 m above the finished floor level?
If this isn't possible, talk to us about options. -
5
Is the finished floor level no more than 1.0 m above the ground?
If this isn't possible, we can discuss excavation options with you. -
6
Is the building at least 2.0 m from every boundary?
Rural and lifestyle zones often need larger setbacks under the District Plan — we'll confirm this for your exact site.
0 of 6 answered — your result appears here.
Likely eligible
The granny flat exemption may apply to your site
Based on your answers, a Hari home could be built without a building consent — provided the design is simple, the work is done by licensed building practitioners, and you get a project information memorandum (PIM) from your council before work starts.
Consent may be needed
The exemption may not apply — but a Hari home still can
Not met:
You might need a building and/or resource consent, depending on your site and council rules. We can guide you through it — from site assessments to PIMs and consents.
2. The building consent exemption
Under the Building Act's granny flat exemption you can build a new, standalone, single-storey dwelling of up to 70 m² without a building consent, provided:
- the design is simple and the finished building complies with the Building Code;
- the building work is carried out or supervised by licensed building practitioners, with plumbing, drainlaying and electrical work done by authorised professionals;
- you apply for and receive a project information memorandum (PIM) from your council before work starts; and
- you notify the council when the build is complete, supplying documents such as final plans, records of work and certificates.
Councils can charge development contributions when they issue the PIM. They don't inspect or certify exempt work — so who builds it matters.
3. Resource consent
New national rules (the National Environmental Standards for detached minor residential units) make one detached granny flat of up to 70 m² per site a permitted activity in most residential, rural, mixed-use and Māori purpose zones — when conditions are met. These include having an existing main home on the site, keeping the unit at least 2 m from boundaries and the main house in residential zones, and total building coverage of no more than 50%. District and regional plan rules (for example natural hazards or infrastructure) still apply.
4. How Hari helps
All 13 of our designs are 70 m² or under. When you buy a Hari home we can manage the whole project — early research and council documentation, site works, foundations, water tanks, septic systems and solar — or supply a flatpack kitset for your licensed builder. We've already helped customers get underway using the new exemption pathway.
Get a free site-specific estimate Browse 70 m² & under homes
Official forms & sources
- MBIE — Granny flats exemption guidance and resources
- Form 2AA — Application for a PIM for a non-consented small standalone dwelling
- Form 3A — Development contribution notice
- Form 6A — Record of building work (LBP)
- Record of work — sanitary plumbing and drainlaying
- Beehive — "Granny flats get the consent-free go ahead" (23 Oct 2025)