13/03/2026
You can now build a granny flat on your property — without a building consent.
New national rules introduced in January 2026 have made it significantly easier to add a small standalone dwelling to your land.
That means more Kiwis can now build a second home for family, rental income, or guest accommodation without going through the full consenting process — as long as the design stays within the new limits.
Meet the Weka — one of our newest designs created specifically to work within these new rules.
A fully self-contained, single-storey home designed for:
• Granny flats
• Rental income
• Airbnb accommodation
• Guest houses
• Downsizing on your own land
Key requirements under the new rules:
• Up to 70m² internal floor area
• Single storey only (no lofts or mezzanines)
• Must be detached and self-contained
• Minimum 2m setback from boundaries and other buildings
• Must still meet the NZ Building Code
Design within these limits and you may be able to build without a building consent or resource consent.
At Sanctuary Tiny Homes, we design and build homes specifically for New Zealand properties including:
• Tiny homes
• Granny flats
• Airbnb units
• Minor dwellings
If you’ve been thinking about adding a second dwelling to your property, this rule change is a huge opportunity.
Send us a message to learn more about the Weka design or to see if a small home could work on your land.
