Legislation allowing Kiwi homeowners to build granny flats up to a certain size without building consent has been passed.
Under the new regulations, which come into effect in Q1 of 2026, Kiwis will be able to construct dwellings of up to 70 square metres in their backyards without a building consent.
To be eligible for the exemption, homeowners will need to ensure their granny flats are “simple in design”, meet the building code, and are constructed by professional builders. They will also need to notify their local council both before they begin work and when it is completed.
The exemption was introduced as part of the National-New Zealand First coalition agreement.
RMA Minister Chris Bishop believed the new regulations could help ease the cost of living by providing families with more housing options.
“This will be great for grandparents, people with disabilities, young adults, and workers in the rural sector.”
To support the changes, Bishop said the Government would update the national direction under the Resource Management Act to remove the need for resource consents for the flats. He expected the update to be in place by the end of the year.
Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the changes were expected to deliver around 13,000 new granny flats nationwide over the next decade.
We’ll see more work for builders in the pipeline without local councils managing unnecessary consenting burdens for simple building work,” Penk said.
“Local councils will be freed up to focus their attention on more complex building work where the need for an inspection and thorough consenting processes is much greater.
He said the Government was now working to ensure councils, homeowners, and builders had access to the necessary forms, templates, and guidance.
“We’ll have more to say on this soon.”
Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones said the changes would help those in extended family living situations, as well as companies that provide accommodation for staff and in small communities.
Any building work on a granny flat that is either in progress now or starts before the exemption comes into effect will continue to require a building consent.
