A new law being planned in New Zealand could make it much easier for homeowners to build small standalone homes—often called granny flats—on their property. The proposed change would allow you to build a granny flat up to 70 square metres without needing building consent, as long as it meets a few key requirements.
This change is expected to start in 2026 and is part of the government’s effort to help with the housing shortage and make it easier for families to live together or create affordable housing options on their land.
So, what would this mean for you? If the new law passes, you could build a simple, self-contained unit on your property without going through the long and sometimes expensive process of applying for building consent. You’d still need to meet the Building Code, use licensed professionals for the work, and let your local council know before and after you build—but that’s a lot easier than the current process.
This could be a great option if you want to build a home for an elderly parent, create space for a young adult, or even earn some extra income by renting it out. It also supports better use of land in urban areas without needing to build big apartment blocks.
There are still some rules you’d need to follow, like making sure your property is in a residential or rural zone, and checking things like flood risks or how close you can build to the boundary. Even though you won’t need building consent, it’s still smart to talk to your council and get advice from a professional builder.
The final details of the law are still being worked out, and the government is aiming to make it official sometime in 2025. In the meantime, if you’ve been thinking about adding a granny flat, now’s a good time to start planning.
