By Laurie Atkinson, Planner, Baseline Group, Ph 0800 254 123 E: info@blg.nz | Nov 08, 2024
In 2024, New Zealand's government rolled out substantial reforms under the Building Act and the Resource Management Act to simplify and accelerate the construction and consent processes for Granny Flats. These reforms were designed to address the existing housing shortage by enabling the development of minor dwellings with fewer hurdles, all while ensuring safety and compliance standards were maintained. Let’s break down the key changes and what they mean for homeowners:
Building Act Reform: Simplifying the Process
A key pillar of the 2024 reforms is the introduction of a new building consent exemption for standalone dwellings up to 60 square meters. This exemption is a game-changer for homeowners who want to build Granny Flats and accessory dwellings, as it significantly reduces the time, effort, and costs previously required to obtain building consent for small-scale residential projects.
The new provisions include the following key aspects:
- Exemption from Building Consent: Homeowners are now allowed to build standalone Granny Flats up to 60 square meters without the need for traditional building consent. This reform reduces the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically delayed or discouraged small dwelling construction.
- Compliance with the Building Code: Even though the requirement for building consent has been removed, all constructions must still comply with New Zealand’s Building Code. This ensures that while the process has been simplified, safety, quality, and sustainability standards are upheld.
- Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs): The reforms mandate that all building work is carried out or supervised by Licensed Building Practitioners. This regulation is intended to maintain high craftsmanship standards and give homeowners confidence in the quality of their Granny Flat or accessory building construction.
- Local Council Notification: Homeowners are required to notify their local council once construction is complete. This step ensures that new buildings are properly recorded, which is important for infrastructure planning, property valuation, and future sale documentation.
While these changes open up opportunities for homeowners, there are small snags that can trip you up while constructing granny flats and other minor dwellings on site. An important step to remember is that dwellings still require a Building Location Certificate (BLC). A BLC is an official document issued by a licensed cadastral surveyor that verifies the exact position of a building or structure in relation to the legal boundaries of a property. It serves as proof that the building or proposed construction complies with the relevant boundary setbacks, zoning rules, and other site-specific requirements mandated by local authorities or councils.
A BLC is essential for ensuring the construction is fully compliant with district planning regulations and property laws. During the process, a licensed surveyor conducts a site survey using specialized equipment to accurately certify the building’s location. This information is then submitted to the district authority for review.
Failing to obtain a BLC can lead to costly delays or legal issues, especially if a dwelling is found to encroach on neighbouring properties or violate setback regulations. To ensure your project runs smoothly and is fully compliant, it's wise to consult professionals. For expert advice, you can reach out to Baseline Group (land developments experts), who can guide you through the BLC process and help streamline your proposal.
Articles you might be interested in
- Balancing Common Sense and Legal Process under the RMA: Protecting Communities and the Environment
- Housing Intensification – Not for Everyone Says CCC
- Rural allotment sizes set to double in West Selwyn
- Game changers for housing under the RMA
- Importance of Sediment Management in Land Development Projects: Simple Techniques for Effective Sediment Runoff Control
- Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes - effect on farming
- The dream of subdividing your land
- Fundamental Culture Shift in New Zealand Planning Legislation.
- Land Development opportunities and times of change
- Your Rights as an Affected Neighbour: Navigating Development Under the RMA
- What to do when you inherit land
- Our History - How We All Play a Part in its Protection
- The importance of knowing your boundaries
- Flood Management – An Update
- Have your say on Development Projects
- Managing Waterbodies on Your Property: What Landowners Need to Know
- Indigenous Biodiversity: what does it mean for a farmer?
- District Plan in Selwyn – How will it Affect You?
- Why we have complicated septic tank disposal rules
- Councils are Increasing Residential Density, but why, who does it benefit?
- Time matters – With Resource Consent
- Understanding Land Covenants: What You Need to Know
- Navigating Prior Engineering Acceptance for Urban Developments in Selwyn
- The Great Forestry Debate
- Buildings under exemptions may still need resource consent
- Tiny Home Revolution May Not Save Costs
- Boundary disputes – What are they and how can you resolve them?
- Is the RMA really the problem?
- Cross lease titles - an overview
- Historic Heritage Challenges for Landowners
- Planning Rules can Affect Property Value
- The rise or fall of rural lifestyle blocks in the Selwyn District?
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- Tiny Homes and Granny Flats
- Wild Weather and Resource Consent Requirements
- Make Your Additional Land Profitable Under the Selwyn Proposed Plan
- Negotiating with Neighbours Under the RMA
- Submissions to a Resource Consent by Affected Parties
- Managing Wastewater in Rural Canterbury: A Guide for Property Owners
- Rivers, Lakes and Coastline, Public Space for All
- The Role of Planning in Land and Property Development
- Confused by Environmental Legislation? You are Not Alone.
- A recent Baseline Group project was recognised at the 2022 Canterbury Architecture Awards
- The Taking of Esplanades at the Time of Subdivision
- RMA changes are coming, are you ready?
- The Role of Planning in the Climate Change - Discussion for Agriculture
- Hazardous activities, land contamination and resource consent applications
- Housing Growth continues in Selwyn with Legislative Support
- A Practical Guide for District Plan Reviews
- Risks to farmland in the planning framework
- Crime Prevention Through Environment Design (CPTED)
- How Tree Canopies Transform Neighbourhoods and Enhance Lives
- Cross Lease Titles
- With increasing density, good design matters
- What does The Selwyn District Plan (appeals version) mean for the planning process and consent?
- Minimum Car Parking Requirements to be Chopped
- Going for housing growth, to improve housing affordability
- Build-to-Rent Development in New Zealand: A Rising Trend in Housing
- Who Pays for Infrastructure in Greenfield Land Development?
- Back to Basics for the RMA Reforms
- Commercial Activity in a Rural Zone – What’s the Harm?
- Selwyn District Council Changes Urban Allotment Sizes
- Time's up on the RMA
- Is it a Wetland or Not?
- How lizards might affect your new development
- Flood Management | Changes in Selwyn
- The impact of consent notices when purchasing land
- How to navigate Rural Land Development Under the National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Soils
- Good District Plan provisions save time and money
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- Changes to Resource Management Planning Signalled in Proposed Legislation
- The costs of subdividing hitting Selwyn | development contributions
- What does an activity status mean for your land development?
- Navigating New Opportunities: The Importance of Land Development Planning in 2024
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan Update
- Understanding Zoning and Density Rules in Selwyn
- Managing Cultural Heritage Sites
- New Indigenous Biodiversity Legislation Mandates Significant Natural Area Identification
- Ensuring Compliance with Resource Management Laws
- Who Shapes our Planning Rules?
- But that’s the way we have always done it!
- Subdividing – The Basics
- What does a professional planner do?
- Crunch Time For New Freshwater Legislation
- Spotlight on District Plan Provisions
- Planning Permissions – Resource Consent or Plan Change?
- How might Development Contributions affect you?
- Change isn't coming, it's here!
- Planning land use to be resilient to natural hazards
- The National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-Making and its effects on Resource Consents
- Minimum car parking requirements to be chopped
- Is planning the cause of red tape for land development?
- Burning crop stubble on your property?
- State highways, noise and reverse sensitivity: what’s the buzz?
- Rural Allotment Sizes set to Double
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan - What next?
- What does your zone mean for you and your property?