Coming 2026: Building Without Consents
As you may have heard, the New Zealand government is introducing a new exemption allowing homeowners to build small standalone dwellings—often referred to as “granny flats”—on their properties without the need for building consent.
The government is also changing the Resource Consent system at the same time, to make these “granny flats” a permitted activity in most rural and residential zones. This should effectively remove the need for both Building and Resource Consent, if all the conditions are met. Read below some of the key conditions to look out for.
The exemption is expected to be in place by early 2026 (updated 5 April 2025.)
Key Conditions of the Proposed Exemption:
- Minor Dwelling: The dwelling must be built on a property with an existing home.
- Size and Structure: The dwelling must be a new, standalone building up to 70 square metres in size and only one storey.
- Compliance with Building Code: The building must be designed and constructed to meet the New Zealand Building Code, ensuring safety and durability.
- Construction by Licensed Professionals: All building work must be carried out or supervised by Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs), and all plumbing and drainlaying must be done by appropriately licensed individuals.
- Notification to Local Council: Homeowners will be required to notify their local council before starting construction and upon completion of the building.
- Design Simplicity: The building should have a simple design to minimize health and safety risks, especially since it won’t undergo the usual regulatory inspections. This includes being built with steel or timber framing.
- Zoning and Land Use Compliance: The exemption applies only to new buildings and will not cover modifications to existing structures. Homeowners must ensure compliance with local zoning rules, including height-to-boundary setbacks and site coverage limits.
This is not a complete list of the conditions, read the full details here: building.govt.nz
At Modspace, our transportable homes are built to code by Licensed Building Practitioners, making them well-suited for this upcoming exemption. Our range of small homes, including models up to 60m², can provide a quick and compliant solution for those looking to add a minor dwelling to their property.
Remember, that until this change is active, a dwelling of any size requires Building Consent. We are more than happy to manage this process on your behalf.
Stay tuned for further updates as the exemption comes into effect in 2026.