Is every granny flat under 70m² consent-exempt?

No. Floor area is only one condition. We assess the dwelling and site against all the exemption conditions and planning rules before recommending a pathway.

Can a minor dwelling be rented out?

That depends on the planning rules for your site and any consent conditions. We check this as part of the feasibility stage.

Do you design kitset or relocatable granny flats?

We can review relocatable or prefabricated options as part of the brief and prepare the site-specific documentation they need.

Granny flats & minor dwellings · up to 70m²

Granny flat and minor dwelling design, checked against your site.

A well-placed second dwelling can house family, create rental income or add long-term value. The right answer depends on the site: access, services, privacy, outlook and the planning and building pathway.

Start your project

The service

Granny Flats & Minor Dwellings with Nator Architecture

We check the property first, then design and document the dwelling — whether it's going through building consent or the small standalone dwelling exemption.

Led by Timmy Nator, LBP (Design) Class 1, with around 15 years of residential design experience. Available throughout New Zealand, with remote delivery where appropriate.

Who it's for

Families housing parents or adult children
Owners adding rental accommodation
Builders delivering minor dwellings
House + minor dwelling projects

Scope

What's typically included

Site and services feasibility
Exemption vs consent pathway assessment
Granny flat plans and elevations
Building consent or exemption documentation
Resource consent where required
Coordination with surveyors and engineers

Scope is agreed in writing for each project. Council fees and consultant fees are separate.

New Zealand considerations

What to know before you start

The 70m² exemption

Some standalone dwellings up to 70m² can be built without a building consent, but only if every condition of the exemption is met. Building Code compliance, licensed-professional involvement and council notification still apply. Check the current MBIE guidance at building.govt.nz.

Planning rules

The building exemption does not remove district plan rules. Whether a minor or second dwelling is permitted on your site is a separate planning check.

Services and access

Water, wastewater, stormwater, power and access usually drive feasibility and cost as much as the building itself.

Questions

Common questions

Start your project

Tell us about your site

Send the property location, what you want to build and your approximate budget. An enquiry is not a formal site assessment.

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