Design 01
Gable Retreat
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- Open-plan kitchen, dining & living
- Laundry
- Wraparound deck
Granny flats · 2026 exemption
70m² granny flats without building consent
Seven engineer-designed granny flat concepts for Auckland sections, plus interactive 3D structural models you can spin, zoom and take apart layer by layer. Designed in Botany to meet the 2026 consent exemption, and built to comply.
Make more from your property
More space. More flexibility. More value from your land.
New Zealand’s 70m² granny flat exemption opens an opportunity for eligible homeowners to add a standalone minor dwelling without a building consent, provided every exemption requirement is met.
A comfortable second homeIndependent living for elderly parents, adult children or visiting family.
Potential rental incomeSubject to the property’s planning and other requirements.
More from your landAdd function and value to an under-used part of your section.
Fewer delaysWhere a project qualifies, skipping the consent process can simplify and speed up construction.
Engineer-designedDesigned by a chartered structural engineer, so compliance is built in rather than bolted on.
Design collection
Seven ways to live well in 70m²
Each design is a starting point. We tailor layout, orientation, cladding and finishes to your site, budget and lifestyle. Small doesn’t have to mean cramped: well-positioned windows, efficient kitchens and built-in storage make a compact home feel surprisingly generous.
2-bedroom layoutsOpen-plan kitchen & livingFull bathroomsLaundryBuilt-in storageIndoor-outdoor livingCovered outdoor areasContemporary finishes
Design 02
Skillion Studio
- 1 bedroom
- 1 bathroom
- Open-plan living
- Kitchen
- Covered outdoor living deck
Design 03
Timber Courtyard
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- Laundry
- Study nook
- Bifold doors to an outdoor deck
Design 04 · 11.6 × 7.0 m
Pavilion Gable
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- Study
- Living with fireplace
- Laundry
- Covered outdoor living
Design 05
Covered Deck Cottage
- Bedroom 2.8 × 3.0 m
- 1 bathroom
- Open-plan living 4.8 × 3.9 m
- Kitchen
- Full-width covered deck
Design 06
Three-Bedroom Skillion
- 3 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- Open-plan kitchen & living
- Laundry
- Covered outdoor 3.0 × 5.6 m
Design 07 · 14.5 × 7.0 m
Linear Modern
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- Study
- Open-plan kitchen, dining & living
- Laundry
- Stacking doors to outdoor living
Images are indicative. Final layouts, sizes and finishes are confirmed at design stage. Tap any design to view it full size.
Already have plans?
Building consent documentation
If your designer has drawn your granny flat, we provide the structural design, PS1 and council documentation to build it, whether it qualifies for the exemption or needs a consent.
Interactive 3D
See the structure before it is built
Every Stable Structure design starts as a full structural model, so loads, connections and bracing are resolved before anyone picks up a hammer. Explore three of our framing models below, built with the same lightweight timber and steel systems we use for granny flats and sheds. Drag to rotate, zoom in on a connection, and switch element types on and off.
Model 01 · Steel portal frame
Clear-span steel portal frame
A clear-span steel portal frame: 410UB53.7 universal-beam columns carry knee-braced SHS trusses, with C15015 cold-formed purlins and girts, fly braces to the rafters and bolted base plates on 600 mm diameter, 2.5 m deep bored pier footings.
- 32.1 mlong
- 18.7 mwide
- 20pier footings
- 541elements modelled
Loading 3D model…
Drag to orbit · scroll or pinch to zoom · right-drag or two fingers to pan · untick a layer to hide it
Model 02 · Timber gable frame
Timber gable frame on piles
A conventional timber gable frame on pile foundations: 48 floor piles and 58 footings support the floor joists, with wall girts, rafters and roof purlins framing the building. Door and window openings are modelled so the lintels and trimmers are real.
- 12.6 mlong
- 9.6 mwide
- 48floor piles
- 484elements modelled
Loading 3D model…
Drag to orbit · scroll or pinch to zoom · right-drag or two fingers to pan · untick a layer to hide it
Model 03 · Skillion (mono-pitch) frame
Skillion mono-pitch frame
A mono-pitch skillion frame nearly 30 m long: 24 columns on individual footings, wall girts and roof members, with strap bracing to the roof plane and the walls to resist wind and earthquake loads.
- 30 mlong
- 9.6 mwide
- 24columns
- 193elements modelled
Loading 3D model…
Drag to orbit · scroll or pinch to zoom · right-drag or two fingers to pan · untick a layer to hide it
Models are shown for illustration. Member sizes, connections and foundations for your project are designed for your site and confirmed on the drawings.
The exemption explained
What does the 70m² exemption mean?
Since 15 January 2026, eligible homeowners can build a new single-storey standalone dwelling of up to 70m² without a building consent, provided every condition of the exemption is met. Often called a granny flat, minor dwelling or self-contained unit, this pathway is designed to make smaller homes faster and more accessible to build.
Reviewed by Gajanthan Vethanathan, Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng #1030007) · Page updated 24 September 2026
In short: the exemption covers a new, single-storey, standalone and self-contained dwelling of no more than 70m² floor area, built for one household. The floor can sit no more than 1 m above the supporting ground and the building can rise no more than 4 m above floor level. It must be at least 2 m from every legal boundary and from any other residential building, and it must be light-framed in timber or steel with lightweight cladding. Every part of the build must still meet the New Zealand Building Code, the work must be carried out or supervised by licensed building practitioners, and the owner must obtain a Project Information Memorandum from Auckland Council before starting and notify the council with final plans, Records of Work and certificates on completion. Planning rules and resource consent are separate and may still apply.
New, single-storey and standalone
A new detached, self-contained dwelling for one household, with no mezzanine or loft.
Floor area
A maximum of 70m².
Height
Floor level no more than 1 m above the supporting ground, and the building no more than 4 m high above floor level.
Setbacks
At least 2 m from other residential buildings and from legal boundaries, and not built across a boundary.
Construction
Light timber or steel framing, with roof cladding up to 20 kg/m² and wall cladding up to 220 kg/m².
Building Code
Must still comply with the NZ Building Code, using the standard compliance pathways for water supply, stormwater and drainage.
Licensed professionals
Design and construction carried out or supervised by licensed building practitioners, with Records of Work for restricted building work.
PIM and council notification
A Project Information Memorandum (PIM) from Auckland Council before work starts (allow 20 working days), then notification with final plans, Records of Work and certificates once complete.
Sources: MBIE granny flats exemption guidance and Auckland Council: granny flats building consent exemption. The conditions are summarised here; check the current official guidance before relying on them.
“Consent-free” still means compliant
A qualifying granny flat may not need a building consent, but it must still meet the Building Code and other legislation. Your home still needs to be safe, durable, healthy and properly designed, and the Auckland Council notification process still applies.
- Structural stability
- Foundations
- Ground conditions
- Weathertightness
- Insulation & energy
- Fire safety
- Ventilation
- Natural light
- Plumbing & sanitary
- Stormwater
- Wastewater
- Electrical work
- Moisture control
- Site access
Planning or resource-consent considerations may also apply, depending on the property and location. Getting the site checked early helps avoid costly surprises later.
Your site, your lifestyle
Is a 70m² granny flat right for your property?
Every property is different, and not every site will be suitable. Before you start, we assess your site and identify the things that matter. Getting the design right from the beginning saves time, money and costly changes later. We assess sections right across Auckland, from Botany, Howick and Flat Bush near our office to the rest of the region.
What we check first
- Site layout, available building area and building position
- Boundaries, setbacks and existing buildings
- Foundations and ground conditions
- Drainage, wastewater and stormwater disposal
- Access, vehicle parking and services
- Planning and property-specific restrictions
- Height and setback requirements
- Flooding, overland flow and other site constraints
- Heritage or other overlays where applicable
Why Auckland homeowners are building them
Independent accommodation
A comfortable home for elderly parents, adult children or visiting family.
Rental income
Subject to the property’s planning and other requirements.
Better use of your land
Add function to an under-used part of your section.
Changing family needs
Flexibility as your household changes over the years.
Fewer delays
Where a project qualifies, skipping the consent process can simplify and speed up construction.
From idea to home
Practical design, quality construction and compliance, together
With more than 12 years of experience in custom residential construction, Stable Structure understands small residential projects and minor dwellings, lightweight timber and steel framing, site-specific design, Building Code compliance and Auckland construction conditions. We coordinate the qualified trades and professionals your project needs. Meet the team on our About page, see recent projects, or read our client reviews.
01
Site assessment
We review boundaries, access, services, ground conditions and site constraints before design begins.
02
Concept design
A layout that suits your site and lifestyle: orientation, light, storage and outdoor connection.
03
Detailed plans
Documentation to meet the Building Code, the exemption conditions and council notification.
04
Construction
A quality build with qualified trades, supervised through to handover.
Good to know
Granny flat questions, answered
Do I still need to tell the council?
Yes. The exemption removes the building consent, not the council’s involvement. You must apply for a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) from Auckland Council before work starts (the council allows 20 working days, and it may carry a development contribution), and notify the council with final plans, Records of Work and certificates once the build is finished. We prepare that documentation as part of the detailed plans.
Does the exemption cover planning and resource consent?
No. It is a building-consent exemption only. Planning rules, resource consent, drainage and other council requirements may still apply depending on your property and location, which is why the site assessment comes first.
Can I rent the granny flat out?
Potentially, subject to the property’s planning and other requirements. We check what applies to your site at the assessment stage, so you know before you commit.
What can 70m² actually fit?
Comfortably two bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and living area, a bathroom, laundry and plenty of storage; Design 06 fits three bedrooms. Smart space planning, natural light and built-in storage keep a compact home feeling generous.
What if my site or design falls outside the exemption?
Then we take the same design through building consent, with the structural drawings, calculations and PS1 documentation we prepare for any residential project. Nothing is wasted.
Take it with you
Download brochure (PDF, 4 MB)
Download the granny flats brochure
All seven designs, the exemption conditions and our process in one PDF you can share with the family.
This page provides general information only and is not legal or regulatory advice. Eligibility for the building-consent exemption depends on meeting all applicable requirements, and planning, resource-consent, drainage and other council requirements may still apply. Rental use is subject to applicable requirements. Images and models are indicative only.
Let's talk
Ready to unlock the potential of your property?
Your 70m² granny flat could be closer than you think. Talk to Stable Structure about your property, your requirements and what may be possible.