We Got RMA Tweaks! Granny Flat Update
New Zealand’s housing crisis is getting a game-changing fix! The government’s reforms to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and Building Act are making it easier to build granny flats and Papakāinga (communal Māori housing). Cosy Cabins’ transportable granny flats are the perfect fit, offering affordable, flexible solutions. Here’s a lively rundown of the timeline, current status, and why a Cosy Cabins granny flat is your smartest move yet!
Update: this post was written in June 2025. The building consent exemption for granny flats up to 70m² came into force on 15 January 2026. For the latest answers, see our granny flat rules Q&A.
At a Glance
- Reforms to the RMA and Building Act are making granny flats and Papakāinga easier to build
- A National Environmental Standard would allow one portable granny flat per title without resource consent, if standards are met
- Fire clearance, water storage, hazards, wastewater and vehicle access rules still apply
- Portable granny flats can keep depreciating, and a 20% upfront tax deduction applied from the 2025 Budget
1. Timeline of Key Developments
- April 2024: The National-NZ First coalition proposed scrapping resource and building consents for dwellings up to 60m², like Cosy Cabins’ granny flats, to boost housing.
- June–August 2024: Public feedback (nearly 2,000 submissions!) supported bigger flats (up to 70m²) and papakāinga, with Cosy Cabins’ portable designs a top choice.
- April 2025: Consent exemptions for granny flats up to 70m² were confirmed, aligning perfectly with Cosy Cabins’ offerings.
- May 2025: Three discussion documents proposed 16 national direction instruments, including a National Environmental Standard (NES) for granny flats and papakāinga. Feedback was open until 27 July 2025.
2. What Was Happening in June 2025
The government’s NES for granny flats allows one portable flat (up to 60m² internal floor area) per property title without resource consents, provided it meets standards: 8m front yard setback and 3m side/rear setbacks in rural zones. Other rules, like fire clearance (e.g., Nelson’s defensible space), firefighting water storage, natural hazard provisions, wastewater/stormwater disposal, and vehicle access, still apply. If these aren’t met, consents may be needed. The NES was under consultation until 27 July 2025, so final details could shift. Building consent exemptions for granny flats were in progress, with Licensed Building Practitioners ensuring quality.
3. What Was Next
- July–August 2025: Consultation closes, and the second RMA Amendment Bill hits Parliament, targeting passage by mid-2025.
- October–December 2025: New rules, including the NES, enable Cosy Cabins’ granny flats without resource consents. Guidance materials will roll out.
- Early 2026: Building consent exemptions for granny flats up to 70m² take effect, simplifying Cosy Cabins’ installations.
- Late 2025–2026: The RMA will be replaced, potentially streamlining housing further.
4. Why Choose Cosy Cabins?
Cosy Cabins’ transportable granny flats are eco-friendly, customisable, and ideal for residential, rural, or Māori purpose zones. They meet NES standards and comply with local rules like wastewater and fire safety. Their portability allows ongoing depreciation (unlike fixed buildings) and a 20% upfront tax deduction from the 2025 Budget. Contact Cosy Cabins to explore our granny flats. Build your dream space now!
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