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.
At Modal Architecture, we’re keeping a close watch on how these changes unfold. For now, it’s crucial to understand that the legislation is not yet active, and even once it is, there will still be plenty of regulations to meet.
What’s Changing — and What’s Not
While the headlines suggest sweeping reform, the reality is more subtle. The proposed changes will introduce a new National Environmental Standard (NES) for granny flats, which will act as a national framework. However, the specific rules within the NES haven’t been released yet, and local authorities may still impose additional layers of control through their District Plans.
Key Considerations:
- Not yet in effect: These changes are expected towards the end of the year. Until then, the current rules still apply.
- No legal weight yet: You can’t cite the upcoming changes to support a design or consent application. They simply don’t apply to projects currently underway.
- New standards coming: Once released, the NES will outline specific rules for these dwellings. If your design doesn’t meet those, a resource consent will still be required.
- Size matters: There may be distinct rules for dwellings under vs over 70m². Don’t assume compliance based on floor area alone — always confirm the latest guidance before proceeding.
- Regional and local rules still apply: Authorities like the Greater Wellington Regional Council will still oversee aspects of site development, especially where environmental or infrastructure concerns are involved.
- PIMs remain essential: Even if a building consent is no longer required, councils will still expect a Project Information Memorandum (PIM). This means you’ll still need a professional design team involved in the process.
- Development contributions may be triggered earlier: Councils may require these financial contributions at the PIM stage, so be sure to budget accordingly.
- Subdivisions aren’t simplified: If the plan is to eventually subdivide the property, all existing resource consent requirements will still apply. In addition, infrastructure like stormwater and wastewater must be designed to meet Wellington Water standards from day one — or you risk costly rework during subdivision.
- Banks and insurers may still require consents: Even if the legislation removes formal council consent, private institutions may not follow suit. Clients must check whether their lender or insurer has additional requirements before construction begins.
What This Means for Your Project
While the coming reforms could ultimately simplify the process for adding small dwellings, they won’t eliminate the need for expert design advice, planning oversight, or compliance with a range of regulations.
If you're thinking of incorporating a granny flat into your property — whether for extended family, rental income, or future flexibility — we highly recommend speaking with us early in the process.
Designing for What’s Next
At Modal Architecture, we see policy shifts like these as an opportunity to unlock new types of living. But good design is always rooted in clarity, compliance, and craft — no matter how the rules change.
Have questions about a future granny flat project? Get in touch, and let’s make sure your plans are ready for whatever comes next.
