Granny Flats Without Building Consent in Hawke’s Bay (70m² Guide)
Last updated: January 2026 – reflects current MBIE granny flat exemption guidance
Example of a standalone granny flat built under New Zealand’s 70m² exemption
What Is the Granny Flat Building Consent Exemption
From January 2026, the Building Act allows a new, standalone granny flat up to 70 square metres to be built without a building consent, provided every exemption rule is satisfied.
The exemption was introduced to:
Increase housing supply
Reduce consenting delays for small dwellings
Lower upfront regulatory costs
⚠️ Important:
No building consent does not mean no rules. Compliance responsibility shifts to the homeowner, designer, and builder.
“Key takeaways
• Some new standalone granny flats up to 70m² can be built without a building consent
• All work must comply with the New Zealand Building Code and use licensed building professionals
• Flooding and hazard-prone land are major constraints in Hawke’s Bay
• A Project Information Memorandum (PIM) is still required
• If exemption conditions are not met, a building consent is required”
What Qualifies as a Consent-Exempt Granny Flat?
MBIE reference diagram – shown for guidance only under the Building Act 2004
To qualify, the granny flat must be:
70m² or less (internal floor area)
Single storey only (no mezzanine or loft)
Standalone (not attached to another building)
A new build (not a conversion or alteration)
Built with lightweight timber or light steel framing
At least 2 metres from boundaries and other dwellings
No more than:
1 metre above ground level
4 metres total height
Fully compliant with the New Zealand Building Code
If any one requirement is breached, a building consent is required.
MBIE reference diagram – shown for guidance only under the Building Act 2004
MBIE reference diagram – shown for guidance only under the Building Act 2004
Hazard-Prone Land in Hawke’s Bay (Critical Consideration)
Hazard-prone land is one of the most common reasons a granny flat exemption cannot be used in Hawke’s Bay.
Flood-prone land considerations for granny flats in Hawke’s Bay
Land affected by the following may disqualify a project unless the risk can be fully mitigated:
Flooding or overland flow paths
Inundation or ponding
Slippage or unstable slopes
Subsidence
Erosion or falling debris
In areas such as Napier, Clive, Flaxmere and parts of Hastings, flood mapping and drainage constraints are common.
Before construction:
A Project Information Memorandum (PIM) is required
Council identifies known hazards
The designer must confirm adequate mitigation
If mitigation cannot meet the required standard, the exemption cannot be used, and a building consent is required.
No Building Consent ≠ No Oversight
Even without a building consent:
All work must meet the Building Code
Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs) are mandatory
Homeowner DIY exemptions do not apply
Councils do not inspect the build
Councils do not issue a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC)
This makes experience, documentation, and quality control essential.
Example layout of a compliant 70m² standalone granny flat suitable for Hawke’s Bay sites
Buildmac’s Approach: Productised 70m² Granny Flats
At Buildmac, we treat consent-exempt granny flats as a standardised construction product, not a custom one-off build. This reduces risk, delays, and compliance failures.
Our Standard 70m² Granny Flat Design Includes:
Efficient 1–2 bedroom layouts
Lightweight timber framing
Long-run metal roofing
Proven foundation systems suitable for Hawke’s Bay conditions
Plumbing and drainage within exemption limits
Electric heating only
Prefabricated shower systems (no wet-floor risk)
What We Lock In:
Fixed footprint and structure
Fixed materials and systems
Fixed compliance pathway
What Clients Can Customise:
Interior finishes
Kitchen and bathroom fit-outs
Colours and fixtures
Decks (assessed separately)
This approach suits:
Property investors
Multi-generational families
Rental income projects
Developers wanting repeatable builds
Is a Building Consent Sometimes Better?
Yes.
In some situations, a traditional building consent can be:
Safer from a compliance perspective
More flexible in design
Better for insurance and long-term resale
We help clients compare both pathways early, so the right decision is made before plans or budgets are locked in.
Granny Flat Builders in Napier & Hawke’s Bay
Buildmac is based in Napier and services:
Hastings
Havelock North
Clive
Flaxmere
Greater Hawke’s Bay
We manage the process from site feasibility and design coordination through to construction and final documentation, whether your project uses the granny flat exemption or a full building consent. See our granny flats page
Frequently Asked Questions About Granny Flats in Hawke’s Bay
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Yes. Under the Building Act, some new standalone granny flats up to 70m² can be built without a building consent if all exemption conditions are met.
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No. A Project Information Memorandum (PIM) is still required, and councils retain enforcement powers even though inspections and Code Compliance Certificates are not issued.
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Only if flood risk can be fully mitigated to the same standard required under a normal building consent. If not, a building consent is required.
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They can if documentation is incomplete. Proper Records of Work, Certificates of Work, and final as-built plans are critical.
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Yes. Licensed Building Practitioners are mandatory for restricted building work, even when a building consent is not required.
Thinking About Building a Granny Flat?
The first step is understanding:
Whether your site qualifies
Which pathway carries the least risk
What the real cost and timeline look like
👉 Talk to Buildmac early to avoid costly mistakes.
Contact Buildmac to discuss your granny flat project in Hawke’s Bay.