Granny Flat & 70m² Minor Dwelling Design — Done Right, Across NZ
From 15 January 2026 you can build a standalone dwelling up to 70m² without a building consent — but only if it has a simple design that meets the Building Code, the work is done or supervised by Licensed Building Practitioners, and you notify your council before you start and once it's finished. "No consent" doesn't mean "no plans." A granny flat still has to be designed properly, sized to qualify, and documented for council notification.
That's exactly what we do. CAD Consultants designs compliant, liveable granny flats and minor dwellings that tick every Schedule 1A box — so you get the speed of the exemption without the risk of getting it wrong.
Why 70m² is harder to design well (and why that matters)
At 70m², every square metre has to earn its place. A poorly planned minor dwelling feels cramped; a well-planned one lives far bigger than its footprint. We design the bedroom-to-bathroom relationship, the kitchen-to-living flow and the entry sequence first, then shape the building around how you'll actually live in it — not the other way around. The result is a granny flat that's comfortable to live in, easy to rent or house family in, and adds real value to your section.
What's included in our granny flat design package
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A site assessment to confirm your minor dwelling qualifies for the exemption (size, height, boundary setbacks, site coverage)
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Full concept design — floor plan, elevations, sections and a photorealistic render
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Documentation prepared for council notification before you build and on completion
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Coordination with your Licensed Building Practitioner / builder so the design is buildable and compliant
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Clear advice on where the exemption applies — and where you may still need a building or resource consent
Does your granny flat actually qualify for the exemption?
To be exempt from building consent, a small standalone dwelling generally must be:
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No more than 70m² in floor area
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Single-storey, no more than 4m high, with floor level no more than 1m above ground
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Detached — at least 2m from any other building or boundary
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Built with lightweight framing and roof cladding (timber or light steel)
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Designed to the Building Code and built or supervised by Licensed Building Practitioners
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Notified to your council before work starts and once it's complete
We confirm all of this for your specific site before you commit — so there are no surprises. (Conditions can vary and rules change; we check the current MBIE / Building Performance requirements and your council's position for every project.)
Granny flat, minor dwelling, or full second home?
Not every project fits the 70m² exemption — and sometimes a consent pathway gives you a better result. If you want more than 70m², a two-storey design, or a unit closer to a boundary, we'll design it and manage the building consent for you. Either way, you get one team from first sketch to sign-off.
Where we work
We design granny flats and minor dwellings NZ-wide, including Auckland, Franklin, Christchurch, Nelson and Tasman. Wherever your section is, we can assess it remotely and design to your council's rules.
Accuracy note: the 70m² granny-flat exemption (Schedule 1A of the Building Act) and the National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units took effect 15 January 2026. Always confirm current conditions against MBIE / building.govt.nz and your specific council before relying on the exemption. This page is marketing copy, not formal compliance advice.