July 2026 · 3 min read
The 70m² granny-flat rule nobody's using yet
Since January 2026 you may be able to build a 70m² granny flat with no building consent. Here's who actually qualifies.
What changed
Under the Building and Construction (Small Stand-alone Dwellings) Amendment Act 2025, from 15 January 2026 a single-storey standalone dwelling of up to 70m² can be built without a building consent.
The catches (they matter)
You still need a PIM — a Project Information Memorandum — before you start, and the work has to be done or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner.
Your zone and your site's size and boundary setbacks still have to allow it. Public data can confirm the zone and hazards; the size-and-setbacks part is what an on-site visit checks.
Who it's great for
Rental income, family (teenagers, elderly parents), or a proper home office. On the right residential section, a minor dwelling is one of the biggest value-adds available right now.
How to check yours
Your zone and hazard flags decide most of the eligibility, and public council data can tell you those in seconds.
Check your own section
See your zoning, hazard exposure, granny-flat eligibility and a market estimate — free, from public council data.
Prefer a straight conversation? Book a free walkthrough.
Sources: Building and Construction (Small Stand-alone Dwellings) Amendment Act 2025 · Auckland Council.