The granny flat consent exemption, explained

In 2026 New Zealand made it far easier to add a small home to your property. Here’s what changed, and what we take off your plate.

No building consent — Building Act, Schedule 1A

• New standalone dwelling up to 70 m²
• Single storey, no more than 4 m high above floor level
• At least 2 m from boundaries and other buildings
• Simple design that meets the Building Code
• Built or supervised by licensed building practitioners
• Plumbing and drainlaying by registered tradespeople
• PIM before you start, and council notified before and after

No resource consent — NES for Detached Minor Residential Units

• Detached minor residential unit up to 70 m²
• Residential, rural, mixed-use and Māori-purpose zones
• In force from 15 January 2026
• Conditions apply, such as distances from boundaries and the main house
• Local council rules still need checking

A plain-English summary, not legal advice. Every project is checked against the current rules and your council’s requirements before we start.

From first call to keys

1. Site check

   We look at your site, zone, boundaries, access and services, and confirm a small standalone dwelling fits the building and planning rules.

2. Design and price

   Choose a plan or start fresh. We fix the size, layout and finishes and give you a fixed price for the cabin and a site quote for everything else.

3. Contract

   A Certified Builders contract with staged payments. The Halo guarantee is available.

4. PIM and council notice

   We apply for the project information memorandum (PIM) and notify council before work starts.

5. Build

   Built on your site, or premanufactured and delivered. Licensed builders, registered plumbers and drainlayers, and electricians on every job.

6. Completion

   We notify council the work is finished and supply the records of work and certificates. You get the keys.

Questions

Do I really not need a building consent?

Not if the dwelling meets the exemption: up to 70 m², single storey, no more than 4 m high, a simple design that meets the Building Code, and built or supervised by licensed building practitioners. Council is notified before and after the build. We check your project qualifies before you commit.

What about resource consent?

From 15 January 2026, a national standard allows a detached minor residential unit of up to 70 m² in residential, rural, mixed-use and Māori-purpose zones without resource consent, as long as it meets conditions such as distances from boundaries and the main house. Local council rules still apply, so we check yours.

Are there council costs?

There is a PIM fee, and council may charge development contributions. We confirm these for your site up front so there are no surprises.

How much does a granny flat cost?

Our cabins start from $3,000 per m² including GST, so a 30 m² one-bedroom cabin starts from $90,000. Site works, foundations, services and transport are quoted per site.

Can you build anywhere in New Zealand?

Yes. We build on site or premanufacture and transport, and organise craneage and delivery logistics.

Can it be off-grid?

Yes. We can organise solar, water tanks and on-site wastewater, or connect to council services.

Who are you?

Fieldhouse is a trading name of Treun Limited, an Auckland builder and project manager. The same team that delivers townhouse developments builds your cabin.