Granny Flats Building Consent Exemption
Granny Flats
(Small, self-contained, stand-alone dwellings)
Overview
The New Zealand Government is introducing significant changes from 15 January 2026 to make it easier for homeowners to build small, self-contained, stand-alone dwellings, commonly referred to as granny flats.
Under the proposed changes, many granny flats up to 70 square metres may be built without a building consent, provided specific criteria are met.
Far North District Council (FNDC) will release further information early in the New Year, including guidance from the FNDC Building Services team, access to application forms, and instructions on how to submit an application.
This information is provided by Far North District Council as general guidance only.
Before starting any building work, Far North District Council strongly advises homeowners to:
- Confirm the new legislation is in force, and
- Ensure the proposed work meets all exemption criteria.
No building work may start before the PIM application is approved effect.
You must apply to Far North District Council for an Exemption Project Information Memorandum (PIM) before commencing any work.
From 15 January 2026, homeowners must apply to Far North District Council for an Exemption Project Information Memorandum (PIM) by completing Form 2AA (to be published and made available by FNDC in the New Year).
The FNDC Building Services team will issue the PIM within 10 working days of receiving a complete application.
Far North District Council, through its Building Services team, is responsible for:
- Receiving Exemption PIM applications (Form 2AA)
- Reviewing the preliminary plans and information supplied to determine whether, based solely on the information provided, the proposed building work appears to meet the exemption criteria in Schedule 1A
- Issuing a PIM with accompanying information forms (Forms 2AAB and 2AAC) stating whether the proposal is:
- likely to meet the exemption criteria
- unlikely to meet the exemption criteria, or
- unclear
- Providing relevant site information in the PIM, including:
- District Plan rules
- natural hazards
- heritage status
- infrastructure availability
- applicable bylaws
- Issuing development contribution notices where applicable
- Receiving and storing Records of Work and post-construction documentation
- Including this information on the FNDC property file and Land Information Memorandum (LIM)
- Considering and processing requests for PIM extensions
- Issuing Notices to Fix where building work is unsafe or non-compliant
Far North District Council is not responsible for:
- Approving eligibility for the building consent exemption
- Inspecting, monitoring, or approving exempt building work
- Assessing or certifying Building Code compliance
- Reviewing submitted documentation for compliance (records are stored only)
- Verifying or guaranteeing that exemption criteria are met
Responsibility for compliance remains with the homeowner.
Far North District Council holds good-faith liability protection for information provided in PIMs and for the storage of records.
Homeowners are responsible for:
- Applying to Far North District Council for an Exemption PIM
- Obtaining the Exemption PIM from FNDC before starting any building work
- Ensuring all exemption conditions are met
- Ensuring the building work fully complies with the Building Code
- Engaging licensed building practitioners for all restricted building work
- Submitting all required documentation to FNDC within 20 working days of completion ( You have two years to complete the work from the date of the issue PIM)
- Paying any development contributions notified by FNDC
- Applying for a building consent where exemption criteria are not met
Non-compliance may result in enforcement action by Far North District Council, including fines or prosecution.
- Final building and plumbing/drainage plans
- Records of Work and Certificates of Work
- Plumbing, drainage, gas, and electrical compliance certificates
Within 2 years of the Exemption PIM being issued by FNDC, owners must provide Far North District Council with:
This process is administrative only.
Far North District Council does not review completed building work for Building Code compliance, but retains its statutory enforcement powers in relation to unsafe or non-compliant work.
Before construction begins:
- Owners must notify Far North District Council Building Services by applying for an Exemption PIM
- FNDC will advise whether the proposal is likely, unlikely, or uncertain to meet exemption criteria
- If homeowners choose to proceed against FNDC advice, they do so at their own risk
Certain site constraints (such as natural hazards or District Plan rules) may require a full building consent or resource consent.
While the intention of the legislation is to reduce the need for resource consent, changes to the National Environmental Standards (NES) have not yet been finalised.
As a result, a project may meet the building consent exemption criteria but still require resource consent under the Resource Management Act.
Far North District Council strongly recommends that homeowners speak with a Council Duty Planner or Building control officer before proceeding.
- Granny flats up to 70 m² may be built without a building consent if exemption criteria are met
- Far North District Council must be notified before and after construction
- The Building Code must still be complied with in full
- Resource consent and development contributions may still apply depending on site and planning rules
This guidance has been prepared by Far North District Council based on information available at the time of writing. It is informed by MBIE publications, government announcements, and council guidance. It does not replace legislation and may change as further information is released by Central Government or MBIE.
MBIE links: