Granny Flat & Minor Dwelling Consents · Auckland & Waikato
Many granny flats still need consent,
even after the 2026 rules.
The 70m² national rule sounds simple, but go over 70m² and you are back in the consent system. Even under 70m², boundary setbacks, building coverage, wastewater capacity, permeability, and outdoor living areas can each push your build into a consent zone. Get a clear answer before you commit.
Tell Us About Your Granny Flat Project
No obligation. We will pull your property's District Plan zoning and tell you within 1 working day whether you need consent and what your cheapest, fastest path looks like.
Request Received!
Thank you for reaching out to MSConsultancy. Our senior planning & surveying team is reviewing your property details against the District Plan and will email you within 1 working day.
What's Included in Your Free Assessment
Before you spend thousands on architectural working drawings, our team evaluates your land against critical council criteria.
District Plan Check
We pull your property's exact zoning, overlays, and contours. You get a clear answer on whether resource consent is required and which activity status applies.
The 60m² vs 70m² Question
Local District Plan ancillary unit rules and the 2026 national rules don't always agree. We determine which pathway yields the optimal outcome for your site.
Site Constraints Audit
Setbacks, HIRB recession planes, 70% impervious surface caps, stormwater overland flow paths, and three-waters capacity identified before drafting plans.
Itemized Fees & Timeline
A transparent breakdown of professional planning fees plus council direct-pay fees, with a realistic timeline to consent approval.
The "Permitted" Granny Flat That Isn't
The 2026 national granny flat regulations allow you to build up to 70m² in select residential zones without a resource consent. That sounds simple on paper. It is also where many property owners get caught out and incur massive delays.
The exemption applies only if you satisfy every single standard: boundary yard setbacks, height-to-boundary angles, stormwater management, public wastewater capacity, vehicle access, and private outdoor living orientation.
We have seen Auckland and Waikato property owners spend months on non-compliant prefabricated quotes, only to discover late that their site triggers consent for reasons they did not anticipate. A 30-minute feasibility assessment up front saves you from costly redesigns and budget blowouts.
Recent Granny Flat Consents
From complex lake margin setbacks to retrospective garage conversions, we have consented over 65+ minor dwellings across Auckland and the Waikato.
Detached 65m² Dwelling within Lake Setback Margin
New detached unit located within 50m of a sensitive peat lake margin. Managed as a Restricted Discretionary application with geotech and sediment control package. Granted without an S92 inquiry.
Sleepout to Self-Contained Ancillary Unit Conversion
Existing unconsented sleepout converted to a legal, fully self-contained minor dwelling with independent stormwater retention tanks. Consent granted on a 15-day fast track.
Retrospective Consent for Garage Conversion
Retrospective consent legitimising an existing garage-to-granny-flat conversion that failed side yard setbacks and private outdoor living orientation. Approved cleanly without public notification.
Granny Flat & Minor Dwelling Consent FAQs
Frequently asked questions regarding 2026 regulations, district plans, council fees, and timelines.
It depends on your site. Under standard district plans (like the Auckland Unitary Plan and Hamilton District Plan), an ancillary residential unit is a permitted activity only if it complies with all relevant standards: maximum gross floor area (typically 60m² to 65m²), boundary setbacks, height-in-relation-to-boundary (HIRB), maximum site coverage, 70% impervious surface cap, private outdoor living area, and three-waters capacity. Miss even one standard and the activity status becomes restricted discretionary, meaning you legally require a resource consent.
Get a Clear Answer in 1 Working Day.
No obligation. No jargon. Just an authoritative assessment about whether your granny flat requires resource consent and what the exact roadmap looks like.