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The Basics

The Home

Zoning

Site Coverage

The Builder

Subdivision

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The Basics

The Home

Zoning

Setbacks

Site Coverage

Site Conditions

The Builder

Subdivision

Is there already a home on your site?

Current MBIE guidance suggests the exemption is not limited strictly to secondary dwellings, as long as all required criteria are met. However, as this legislation is new, some councils may take a cautious approach while it beds in. In practice, greater clarity will come as more projects are assessed under the new rules.

Is there already a home on your site? *

Yes
No
Not Sure

Are you planning a single-storey, standalone home of 70m² or less?

The exemption only applies to single-storey homes up to 70m².

Are you planning a single-storey, standalone home of 70m² or less? *

Yes
No
Not Sure

Are you in a rural zone?

Are you in a rural zone? *

Yes
No
Not Sure

Can the home sit at least 2 metres away from boundaries and other buildings?

Can the home sit at least 2 metres away from boundaries and other buildings? *

Yes
No
Not Sure

Can the home sit 10m from the front boundary, and 5m from the side and rear boundaries?

These setbacks are required from all boundaries and/or other buildings.

Can the home sit 10m from the front boundary, and 5m from the side and rear boundaries? *

Yes
No
Not Sure

Would total building coverage on your site stay under 50%?

This includes all buildings ie your main house, granny flat, sheds and garage. 

How to calculate? 
Add together the size of every building on your site including your main home, sheds, garage, and the new granny flat. Then divide that by your total land area. If the total is more than 50%, you may not qualify for the exemption.

Would total building coverage on your site stay under 50%? *

Yes
No
Not Sure

Does your site have any of the following?

These factors don’t always stop you building but they can affect whether the exemption applies.

Does your site have any of the following? *

Flood-prone land
Steep slope or unstable ground
Heritage zoning or overlays
Significant retaining walls or earthworks required
None apply

Who do you plan to use to design and build the home?

The exemption requires licensed professionals. DIY builds need a consent.

Who do you plan to use to design and build the home? *

Licensed building professionals
DIY / owner-builder
Not Sure

Are you planning to subdivide the land in the future?

Subdivision usually triggers additional planning requirements.

Are you planning to subdivide the land in the future? *

Yes
No
Not Sure

This path looks worth exploring.

Based on what you’ve selected, the granny flat exemption may apply to your site, although final checks are always needed.

The next step is usually a site and needs assessment where we can take a look at your site and confirm it meets all exemption criteria.

Want us to sense-check this properly?

Send us your address and we’ll explain what applies, clearly and without pressure.

Check with Us

Keep reading the guide below to understand the rules in more detail.

Keep Reading

This may need a different approach.

Some of the factors you’ve selected suggest the exemption might not be the best fit, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build.

Many sites still work well with a building consent or resource consent instead.

If you’d like help understanding your options, send us your address and we’ll walk you through them.

Keep reading the guide below to understand the rules in more detail.

Keep Reading