The New Granny Flat Rules: What You Can (and Can’t) Build Without Consent
- Corey Brown
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Table of Contents
1. The "No Consent" Myth: What Has Actually Changed?
You’ve probably heard the headlines: "Build a Granny Flat without a consent!" It sounds like a free-for-all, but the reality is quite different. The government has introduced a new exemption for "Small Stand-alone Dwellings" up to 70 square metres. This is a game-changer for Wellington families wanting multigenerational living, a home office, or a rental income stream.
However, "Exempt" does not mean "No Rules." It means the responsibility for compliance shifts from the Council to you and your builder. The building still has to meet the Building Code, and it must be built by Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs).
2. The Golden Rules: Checklist for Exemption
To skip the building consent process, your project must tick every single one of these boxes. If you miss one, you are back to the standard consent process.
Size Matters: The floor area must be 70 square metres or less. This measurement includes any attached garage.
Single Storey Only: You cannot build a loft, a mezzanine, or a second storey. The floor level can be up to 1 metre above ground, and the total height cannot exceed 4 metres above the floor.
Totally Detached: It must be "stand-alone." You cannot attach it to your main house or another building.
Lightweight Materials: You are restricted to lightweight timber or steel framing. Your roof cladding must be light (like metal tiles or long-run iron, max 20kg/m²) , and wall cladding must be standard weight (max 220kg/m², like weatherboards).
Boundary Rules: The building must be at least 2 metres away from any boundary and 2 metres away from any other residential building on your site.
3. The "Villa Style" Granny Flat: Adding Character, Not Just Space
Most "Granny Flats" are boring boxes dropped into a backyard. At Kiwi Built, we believe your new addition should honour the character of your existing home.
Because the exemption allows for lightweight wall cladding (up to 220kg/m²), we can legally use traditional timber weatherboards without needing a consent. This is huge for Wellington homeowners.
Imagine a 60m² "Mini Villa" in your backyard:
Matching rusticated or bevel-back weatherboards.
Detailed external facings and boxed corners.
Timber joinery (or heritage-look aluminium) to match the main house.
We can apply our Supreme Craftsmanship standards to these small builds. Instead of a cheap "transportable" unit, you get a high-end, permanent asset that looks like it has always been there. It’s a seamless extension of your property’s history.
4. What You Definitely Can’t Do (The Gotchas)
This is where people get caught out. The exemption rules are strict on specific details to keep the "risk" low. Under the exemption, you cannot:
Have a Wet-Floor Shower: You cannot install a tiled, level-entry shower. You must use a pre-fabricated shower unit (like an acrylic liner) to manage waterproofing risk.
Use Heavy Materials: Concrete tile roofs or heavy stone cladding are generally out.
Install a Fireplace: You can only install electric or gas heating. A solid fuel burner (wood fire) still requires a building consent.
Build on Hazardous Land: If your site is in a known hazard zone (flooding, slip risk, etc.) and you cannot mitigate it simply, the exemption does not apply.
5. The Hidden Paperwork: PIMs and Professionals
Just because there is no "Building Consent" doesn't mean there is no paperwork. Before you drive a single peg, you must apply for a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) from your local Council.
This PIM will tell you if there are natural hazards or heritage rules that might stop you. You also need to notify the Council when you finish, providing them with:
Final Design Plans.
Records of Work from your builder, plumber, and drainlayer.
Electrical and Gas Safety Certificates.
Crucial Note: You cannot DIY this. All restricted building work must be done or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP).
6. Why You Might Still Want a Building Consent
The exemption is great for simple, standard builds. But if you want a true luxury space—think floor-to-ceiling tiled showers, a polished concrete floor, or a complex architectural design—the standard Building Consent process is still your best path.
At Kiwi Built, we handle both. Whether you want a streamlined "exempt" villa cottage or a fully consented architectural guest house, we ensure it’s built to a standard that adds massive value to your property.
Thinking of adding a Granny Flat? Don't guess the rules. Get in touch with the team at Kiwi Built. We can check your site against the new PIM rules and design a space that fits your lifestyle (and your Villa).
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