Size and building form
A small standalone dwelling of up to 70 square metres with a simple design that fits the exemption requirements.
Current Auckland guidance
Granny Flat Design
& Consent Exemption Auckland
A small second dwelling still needs careful design and a confirmed approval pathway. The new building-consent exemption may suit some projects, but it is not automatic—and exempt work must still meet the Building Code and every applicable condition.
FeasibilityDesignPathway
The short answer
Two possible pathways—not one automatic exemption
Qualifying small standalone dwellings up to 70 square metres may be built without a building consent when all exemption conditions are satisfied. Other granny flats continue through the standard building consent process.
The right answer depends on the proposed design, the people carrying out restricted work, the property and services, and the planning rules that apply to the site.
Exemption essentials
What the project must establish early
The exemption is a defined legal pathway, not a general waiver. Every condition needs to be checked against the actual proposal.
Building Code compliance
The work must comply with the Building Code even when a building consent is not required.
Licensed professionals
Restricted design and building work must be completed or supervised by the appropriately licensed people, with the required records supplied.
Council information
A Project Information Memorandum is required, together with notification before work begins and again after completion.
Site and services
Ground conditions, hazards, access, stormwater, wastewater, water supply, power and separation still need property-specific coordination.
Planning pathway
Building-consent and resource-consent requirements are separate questions. The planning standards for the property must also be checked.
Design before assumptions
How Stable Group can help
We review the property, intended use and site constraints before recommending an exemption or standard-consent pathway. That early feasibility work helps avoid developing a design around an assumption that does not hold.
From there, our team can develop the concept in Revit, coordinate the relevant consultant information and prepare a clear architectural set for the selected approval route.
Official information
Guidance checked:
6 September 2026
This page is general guidance, not property-specific legal advice. Requirements can change, so the current official information and the details of your site should always be checked before work proceeds.
Frequently asked
Granny-flat design and exemption questions
1Can every granny flat up to 70 square metres be built without consent?+
No. The exemption applies only when every condition is met. The dwelling must fit the exemption pathway, have a simple design, meet the Building Code and be designed and built or supervised by the required licensed professionals.
2Do I still need to contact council if the exemption applies?+
Yes. The exemption pathway includes a Project Information Memorandum and council notifications before building starts and after the work is completed, together with the required professional records.
3Does exempt work still need to meet the Building Code?+
Yes. Exempt means a building consent may not be required; it does not remove the obligation to comply with the Building Code or other applicable requirements.
4Can we use the standard building consent pathway instead?+
Yes. A standard building consent can remain the clearer or more suitable route when a proposal does not meet every exemption condition, the site is complex or the owner prefers council approval and inspections.
5Can Stable Group design and document a granny flat?+
Yes. We can review the property and brief, develop the residential design, coordinate the required specialist information and prepare documentation for the appropriate exemption or consent pathway.
Your next step
Let’s give your granny-flat project
a clear design direction.
Tell us what you are considering. We’ll help you understand the design opportunity, the right first step and the likely approval pathway before you commit further.
Call 0800 2 REMODELStart your enquiry