Granny flats and small stand-alone dwellings

If you are looking to build a small stand-alone dwelling, commonly known as a granny flat, on your property, there are two main pathways you can take:

Option 1: 

Apply for a building consent.

Whether you're considering a granny flat, sleepout, tiny home, or new build, check out our additional dwelling guide, where we explain the process from initial planning through to completion.

Option 2:

Build under Schedule 1 of the Building Act (exemption).

For this option, the build must meet the exemption requirements. You can find more information in MBIE’s guidance on the granny flat exemption.

Key Council Requirements

Regardless of which option you choose, there are several mandatory requirements and things to note for projects within the Kāpiti Coast District:

Project Information Memorandum (PIM)

You must apply for and receive a PIM for a Small Stand-alone building from the Council before any building work begins. (PIMs for building consents are optional)

Development contributions

Development contributions may be payable.

Resource consents

Even if a building consent is not required under Option 2, you may still need a resource consent. This depends on your compliance with the National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential Units (NES-DMRU) and relevant local regional and district plans.

Licensed professionals

All design and building work must be carried out or supervised by a licensed professional. This includes LBPs (builders able to undertake restricted building work), architects, engineers, plumbers, gasfitters, drainlayers and electrical workers who hold an appropriate qualification.

Homeowner responsibility

The responsibility for ensuring the build complies with the law rests entirely with the homeowner. You must ensure you understand the PIM and update your proposal to meet all requirements. Homeowners must inform Council when the build begins, and when it is complete (by submitting all required documentation. Check out MBIE's overview for what a homeowner needs to know before building a granny flat. 

The building process: step-by-step

1. Planning and design

   Collaborate with your licensed building professionals to plan and design your granny flat.

2. Apply for your PIM
   

   • How to apply: Applications should be submitted online via the Simpli portal. Choose the “PIM for small stand-alone buildings – Form 2AA”.
   • Processing time: Council has 10 working days to issue the PIM once they have your complete application.
   • Validity: Once issued, you have two years to complete your build.
   • Development Contributions (DC) levies: These are one-off charges to help Council cover the cost of increased demand on infrastructure. These levies are calculated at the PIM stage.

3. During construction

   • Notification: You must inform the Council when the build begins.
   • Supervision: Ensure all work remains under the supervision of your Licensed Professionals.

4. Completion and final steps

   Within 20 days of completion, homeowners must:
   • Submit documentation: Notify the Council that the build is complete by submitting all required documentation. This includes final design plans, Certificates of Work, and Records of Work from LBPs, as well as certificates from plumbers, drainlayers, electricians, and gasfitters.
   • Pay development contribution levies: Pay any required development contributions to the Council. These are paid upon completion of the build.

Property records and LIMs

Once you provide the completion documentation, the Council will store these records on the property file. This ensures that the information is included in any future Land Information Memoranda (LIMs) for the property.