Granny flat regulations: New rules make it cheaper and easier to build

Feature article

Granny flat regulations: New rules make it cheaper and easier to build

Keeping Nana in the neighbourhood

28 January 2026

Hannah Hilliam
AI

AI summary

New regulations make building a granny flat easier by removing consent requirements for standalone dwellings up to 70sqm. This change can save homeowners thousands in fees and weeks in processing time.

To be exempt, the unit must be a single-storey, simple design using lightweight materials. All work must be carried out by Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs). While consents are gone, you must still obtain a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) from your council, and Development Contributions may still apply.

What are the new granny flat rules?

What qualifies as an exempt ‘granny flat’?

How much can you save?

How to get started?

Kitset and design-build options

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Author

Hannah Hilliam Hannah Hilliam
Content Writer