Granny Flats
Small standalone dwellings (often called granny flats) may be built without a building consent if they meet specific government exemption criteria.
If a proposed granny flat does not meet these criteria, a building consent will still be required.
Use the tabs below to help decide whether your proposed build qualifies for a building consent exemption or needs consent.
The MDC team offers a free pre application meeting to help walk you through the process. Call 06 323 0000 to book a meeting.
Use the granny flat exemption if:
- Your dwelling is new, single-storey, standalone, self-contained and 70 square meters or less
- You are using lightweight construction materials (eg timber or steel framing)
- You want to start building quickly and complete the build faster without waiting for formal consent approval or council inspections
- You are looking to reduce upfront costs, such as consent fees
- You are comfortable with a simplified process that involves less paperwork and fewer inspections
- You are building for residential use, such as multigenerational living
- You understand that licensed building professionals must still carry out or supervise all restricted building work
- You must notify the council before and after construction and submit a project information memorandum (PIM) application
- Your design is straightforward and unlikely to change beyond the scope of the granny flats exemption conditions during construction.
- If your plan falls outside of the above, a building consent is required.
Your responsibilities when using the granny flat exemption
If you choose to rely on the granny flat building consent exemption, it is important to carry out proper due diligence to help understand your responsibilities and manage risk.
If the exemption conditions are not met, the building work will be unlawful and may result in enforcement action.
We recommend the following steps to help ensure your project complies with the exemption requirements:
The granny flat exemption is a building consent exemption under the Building Act.
However, even if your build is exempt from building consent, you must still comply with all granny flat exemption conditions and all other applicable legislation, including the Resource Management Act 1991.
In addition to the requirements in the National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units (NES-DMRU), Manawatū District Council can help you identify any relevant requirements in the regional and district plans, including whether natural hazards have been identified on your site.
Under the Building Act, the homeowner is legally responsible for ensuring the granny flat complies with the Building Code. This responsibility applies even when the building work is exempt from requiring a building consent.
The Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment also provides helpful resources to explain national rules that may apply, and when a resource consent may be required.
Even if a building consent is not required, there will still be costs for design, approvals, insurance, and construction.
Building a granny flat may also affect the rateable value of your property and therefore future rates.
Development contributions, services connections or other council fees may apply. These charges can vary depending on where your property is located and what you are building.
Check with Manawatū District Council by calling 06 323 0000 to confirm whether development contributions or other fees apply to your granny flat.
Under the granny flat exemption, insurers and lenders still need assurance that the building is safe, lawful, and meets all relevant standards.
Finance and insurance providers may ask for information such as:
- Advice from the council confirming whether the building is suitable for the site
- Confirmation that required records have been submitted to Manawatū District Council
- Final design plans, including plans for building work, plumbing, and drainlaying
- Records of Work
- Certificates of Work
- Certificates of compliance
- Proof of payment of any development contributions
Talk to your bank and insurer early on to find out what is needed to secure finance and insurance for the granny flat. This can depend on meeting all the exemption and Building Code requirements and being able to prove it.
Upon Completion
Homeowners must provide all required documentation to Manawatū District Council within 20 working days of completion. If development contributions are required, they must be paid by the homeowner within 20 working days of completion. The council is not required to monitor progress or remind homeowners of deadlines. Responsibility for meeting all requirements rests with the homeowner.
If the exemption conditions are not met, a building consent is required. Non-compliance may result in enforcement action against the homeowner and/or the licensed building professional responsible for the work.
For more information, book a free consultation with Council by calling 06 323 0000 or visit building.govt.nz.