Granny flats building consent exemption to go live

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) granny flat building consent exemption takes effect tomorrow, Thursday 15 January 2026.

The move follows the Government’s passing of the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Bill in Parliament in October 2025.

The granny flats exemption will allow certain new, small, single-storey standalone dwellings up to 70 square metres to be built without a building consent, provided all exemption conditions are met, and the work is carried out or supervised by licensed building professionals.

Removing building and resource consenting requirements for this simple building work is expected to increase housing supply and availability, helping to lower living costs for New Zealanders as a result and boosting productivity in the construction sector.

All building work under the exemption must comply with the New Zealand Building Code.

Buller District Council’s Group Manager Regulatory Services Simon Bastion welcomes the new exemption and explains council’s role in the process and some of the expectations on homeowners planning to take advantage of the new regulations.

“Council’s role in the new process is to provide information, issue PIMs and store records – not to approve, inspect or certify exempt granny flats. Homeowners are responsible for compliance with all exemption conditions and the Building Code. If in doubt, engage a licensed building professional.”

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.

Further information can be found at building.govt.nz and on the Buller District Council website.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz 

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.