Update, September 2026: This article was written while the granny flat reforms were still proposed. The position has since changed. Eligible new, standalone, single-storey dwellings up to 70 m² can now use the granny flat building-consent exemption where all statutory conditions are met. The National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units are also now in force. For the current position, read our guide to the Granny Flat Exemption now in force.
The remainder of this article is retained as a record of the earlier reform proposals and should not be relied on as a statement of the current rules.
Original 2025 article
There’s been a lot of excitement around the Government’s announcement that small secondary dwellings, often called "granny flats", under 70 square metres may soon be exempt from building and resource consent requirements. But as with most policy changes, the fine print tells a more complicated story.
The reforms discussed in this article have since progressed. For the current position, read our guide to the Granny Flat Exemption now in force.
Historical note: the following discussion reflects the position when this article was first published in May 2025.
