Granny flats in Dunedin.
Seventy supplies house plans for properties in Dunedin. Dunedin combines flat urban sites with steep hillside and coastal properties. A second home needs enough usable space, suitable ground and practical construction access. On low-lying land, check flood and drainage information. On hills, establish slope stability, retaining requirements and how materials will reach the site. You arrange construction separately with a licensed builder.
Building consent and resource consent requirements
The building consent exemption and the national planning standard are separate. A project can proceed without either consent only when all the relevant requirements are met.
Schedule 1A, under the Building Act 2004
Building consent, if all Schedule 1A conditions are met
A new, detached, single-storey home up to 70 m² may be built without a building consent if every exemption condition is met. Licensed professionals, Building Code compliance, a Project Information Memorandum and council notifications are still required.
NES-DMRU, under the Resource Management Act 1991
Resource consent, if all relevant requirements are met
The national planning standard can permit one detached minor dwelling without resource consent when its standards and other relevant requirements are met. Some district and regional rules remain, including those for hazards, infrastructure and earthworks.
Both took effect on 15 January 2026. They do not retrospectively approve existing dwellings.
National planning standards
The NES-DMRU is the national planning standard for detached minor dwellings. These measurements apply when its requirements are met. A district plan can allow more generous measurements. Other relevant site restrictions still apply.
| Standard | Residential zone | Rural zone |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum internal floor areaMeasured to the internal face of the external walls. An attached or internally accessed garage counts inside it. | 70 m² | 70 m² |
| Maximum area of the site covered by buildingsThe 50% standard overrides any district plan coverage standard below 50% in a residential zone. | 50% | As required by the zone |
| Minimum distance from the main homeDistances are measured from the outside face of the wall cladding. | 2 m | 2 m |
| Minimum distance from the front boundary | 2 m | 10 m |
| Minimum distance from side and rear boundaries | 2 m | 5 m |
The permitted activity rule: One detached minor residential unit per site. It applies in residential, rural, mixed use and Māori purpose zones, as defined in the National Planning Standards, or the equivalent zones where a council has not implemented them yet.
- Special character, design guides and visual amenity
- Screening for rubbish and recycling storage
- Wall and roof colour, reflectivity and external finishes
- Minimum outdoor open space, privacy or sunlight access
- Minimum window area
- Parking
- Minimum site size
- A design that satisfies a local character guide
- A minimum private outdoor space around the unit
- A sunlight or privacy assessment for the neighbours
- An on-site car park
- A minimum site area under the district plan
- Neighbour notification for a permitted activity
Other requirements to check
In Dunedin, check the following local consideration: Check Dunedin City Council planning, heritage and hazard information, together with service capacity.
Flooding, coastal hazards, fault lines and land stability can affect the building location, floor level and need for consent. Check the council information and obtain site advice where needed.
Check connection requirements and capacity. Relevant regional plan rules still apply, including requirements for an on-site wastewater system.
Buildings near electricity lines and other significant infrastructure must meet the relevant safe-distance and planning requirements.
Rules can apply near airports, ports, industry and farming operations, or on contaminated land. They may affect where a home can be built and what design measures are needed.
Earthworks may need resource consent even when the dwelling does not. Subdivision requirements are separate and remain in place.
Relevant protections for heritage, cultural sites and outstanding natural features still apply.
Check covenants and easements on your property title. The national planning standard does not override private covenants, and more stringent council bylaws can still apply.
Development and financial contributions may be payable. Ask your council to confirm which charges apply to your project.
A district plan may allow a larger home or a smaller boundary setback. That does not change the separate Schedule 1A requirements. For example, an 80 m² dwelling or a 1 m setback would not meet the 70 m² and 2 m conditions for this building consent exemption.
Check the main eligibility conditions
Check these conditions with your designer and council. They are a starting point; all relevant exemption requirements must be met.
The minor dwelling must be physically separate from the principal home. An attached extension is assessed under different requirements.
The NES-DMRU planning standard requires a minor dwelling to be secondary to a principal home on the same site and in the same ownership. If both are proposed together, confirm the construction order and requirements with the council.
The NES-DMRU allows one detached minor dwelling per site. For a cross-lease, the site includes all the land under the cross-lease. A district plan may allow more, subject to its requirements.
The building consent exemption applies to new dwellings. A building conversion may meet the planning standard, but it is not covered by this building consent exemption.
Ground and climate considerations
Flat, coastal and hillside ground require different assessments. Check foundations, drainage and any slope or flood constraints. Wind exposure varies with terrain and proximity to the coast. Confirm it for the address. Check Dunedin City Council planning, heritage and hazard information, together with service capacity. These requirements inform the adapted plans and the construction quote from your chosen builder.
Wind exposure varies with terrain and proximity to the coast. Confirm it for the address.
Flat, coastal and hillside ground require different assessments. Check foundations, drainage and any slope or flood constraints.
Dunedin combines flat urban sites with steep hillside and coastal properties.
10 to 13 weeks on site is an indicative allowance. Confirm timing with your builder; site work, weather and availability can change it.
Check Dunedin City Council planning, heritage and hazard information, together with service capacity.
Uses for a small home in Dunedin
A small home may suit family, downsizers, students or long-term tenants. For a rental, consider access to campus, healthcare, employment and public transport. Heating, ventilation and ongoing running costs are relevant to both the occupants and the owner.
Plan prices and construction estimates
Plan-set prices are fixed. Construction estimates use the same assumptions as our calculators for a simple site. Your chosen builder confirms the price for your property.
Rental income estimates for Dunedin
This example uses a Kōwhai 60 construction estimate and the indicative rent for Dunedin. It excludes land value, finance, rates, insurance, maintenance, management fees and tax. It is an illustration, not an income forecast.
Steps to plan your project
Review the title, planning requirements and services before construction. Your designer, builder and council can confirm what the project requires.
Check covenants and easements that could restrict a second home, its size, location or access.
Review council maps and relevant district and regional rules for natural hazards, infrastructure and other restrictions.
Identify the water, wastewater and stormwater connections and confirm capacity. Check any requirements for an on-site wastewater system.
Apply for and receive a Project Information Memorandum before construction starts. It records the council information relevant to the property and proposed work.
Your designer confirms the design requirements for the property and prepares the required plans and documentation. The Schedule 1A exemption requires appropriately licensed professionals.
Notify the council before construction and provide the required completion documents afterwards. Your designer and builder must supply the records and certificates required for their work.
Frequently asked questions
What rent could a two-bedroom home earn in Dunedin?+
The $580 weekly figure on this page is an indicative planning estimate, not a rental appraisal or guaranteed income. Check current listings and ask a local property manager about the specific location, size and condition. Allow for vacancy, maintenance, insurance, rates and other costs.
Do I need council consent in Dunedin?+
A home up to 70 m² may qualify for the building consent exemption only when all conditions are met. Resource consent has separate requirements. Check Dunedin City Council planning, heritage and hazard information, together with service capacity. For an exempt build, receive the council’s Project Information Memorandum before work starts and submit the required completion documents.
Can a hill section accommodate the design?+
That depends on slope, stability, foundations and access. A builder needs to assess deliveries and construction methods as well as the finished building location. Specialist advice may be needed before the project cost and exemption eligibility are known.
What needs to be considered for winter comfort?+
Insulation and glazing must suit the climate and Building Code requirements. Orientation, ventilation, heating and construction quality also matter. Ask for the proposed specifications and include suitable heating and ventilation in the project budget.
How long could construction take in Dunedin?+
The 10 to 13-week on-site allowance is an estimate. Your builder needs to confirm the programme from the completed plans, ground works, access, service connections, material lead times and availability. Plan preparation and any required council processes are separate from this construction period.
Official guidance
Every national figure comes from the legislation or the government's own guidance. The Dunedin rent is an indicative planning figure rather than a quote: verify it against Tenancy Services bond data before you rely on it.
- NES-DMRU: Frequently Asked QuestionsMinistry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport, September 2026 (INFO 1387)
- National Environmental Standards for Detached Minor Residential UnitsMinistry for the Environment
- Granny flats exemption guidance and resourcesBuilding Performance, MBIE
- Changes to allow granny flats to be built without a building consentBuilding Performance, MBIE
Checked against these sources in September 2026. Confirm the current requirements for your property before construction.