Critical Details

A granny flat in New Zealand is a new, standalone, single-storey, self-contained dwelling of up to 70 m². Under Schedule 1A of the Building Act 2004, it can be built without a building consent if it meets all conditions of the Granny Flats Building Consent Exemption.

  • Must be new (not a conversion or alteration)

  • Stand-alone (not attached to another building)

  • Single-storey

  • Self-contained (kitchen, bathroom, sleeping space)

  • Has a floor area of 70 m² or less

  • Constructed using lightweight building materials

  • Meets all Building Code requirements, despite no building consent required

  • Requires a Project Information Memorandum before construction

  • Must be designed and built by Licensed Building Practitioners

FAQs

I really don’t need a building consent?

Yes - if the project meets all requirements under the new granny flat legislation. We still build it properly and to a high standard. It remains a well-built two-bedroom home, but the exemption helps avoid unnecessary council red tape - allowing us to deliver a more efficient build. To confirm eligibility, our Stage 1 process checks your site, design and compliance requirements in detail before any substantial financial commitment is made.

Is this just a tiny home?

No, this is a proper two-bedroom house, similar to other professionally built homes in New Zealand and fully compliant with New Zealand building standards. It is not on a trailer, does not have wheels, and is not a temporary structure. It includes a full kitchen and oven. The key difference is that we avoid unnecessary council expense while applying strong, professional, quality-assured standards.

Does no building consent mean it’ll be a poor-quality build?

No. In fact the opposite is true - without council managing the consent process, responsibility sits more directly with the licensed professionals involved in the build. New liability rules and independent quality-assurance processes create stronger accountability across the construction industry.

AalbersBuild has a long, successful track record of delivering quality homes for customers.

The legal stuff

There are four main documents to keep in mind for the granny flat provision. Here is a quick rundown -

Building Act 2004 - Schedule 1A (Granny Flats Exemption)

Schedule 1A covers building work that is exempt from building consent. It defines exactly what is and is not allowed without triggering a building consent.

Building Act 2004 - General Provisions

Although building consent is not required, the home must still be built to the same high quality standards as any other residential construction project in New Zealand. The Building Act governs those standards.

MBIE Granny Flats Exemption Guidance (2025)

MBIE explains the do’s and do not’s, what is required and not required, and the reason behind Schedule 1A. This guidance helps us follow the rules in a practical, understandable way.

MBIE “Consistent Key Messages for Councils” (2026)

No one likes a surprise from council. This document helps clarify what councils can and cannot require, making it easier to stay compliant and avoid unnecessary delays.