Planning a granny flat, minor dwelling or self-contained detached unit? ArchSolutioNZ prepares council-ready drawings and specifications so the building, services, fire separation, stormwater and wastewater coordination are documented before construction starts.
Bottom line
Start here when your minor dwelling needs a clear consent package. Once a unit is habitable, self-contained and connected to services, the drawings need to show how the building will comply with the Building Code before construction begins.
Best fit
For homeowners adding a detached granny flat, minor dwelling or compact standalone unit with bathroom, kitchen, sleeping and living space.
For projects where drawings, specifications, construction details, services and consultant inputs need to be coordinated before lodgement.
For owners who need the design scope documented properly so consultants, builders and council are looking at the same proposal.
What we prepare
Every project is different, but a strong consent package usually needs more than a simple floor plan. Council needs to understand the building, its construction, its services and how it sits on the site.
Clear granny flat plans showing the dwelling layout, external form and consent scope.
Technical details showing how the small standalone dwelling is intended to be built.
Coordination with the other professionals normally needed to support the application.
Project types
This page is for new residential units that need a building consent package before construction begins. It is not for completed unconsented work, commercial accommodation or planning-only advice.
New detached residential units designed for independent living, usually with a bathroom, kitchen and sleeping area.
Secondary residential units that need proper consent documentation for structure, moisture, services and sanitation.
Compact new dwellings where the consent set must clearly show the full building envelope and construction methodology.
Detached units with bathroom and kitchen facilities that need coordinated architectural, structural and services information.
Consent pathway
The 2026 granny flat exemption may allow some small standalone dwellings to proceed without building consent if all conditions are met. Many homeowners still need or prefer a full consent package, especially when the design, services or site conditions are more complex.
This service page is about preparing building consent drawings and specifications. Exemption checks, planning overlays, development contributions and site feasibility are handled through feasibility and planning services.
The unit is larger, more complex or outside exemption conditions.
The design includes site-specific engineering, complex drainage or special foundation requirements.
The owner wants a council-assessed building consent record before construction.
The project includes constraints that need careful Building Code documentation.
Council assessment
A good building consent package makes the project easier to assess because it answers the technical questions before they become delays.
| Consent area | What drawings clarify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Site layout | Where the granny flat sits, how it relates to boundaries, the existing dwelling, access and services. | Council needs to understand the building location and how the proposal interacts with the property. |
| Structure | Foundation, floor, wall and roof framing information, usually coordinated with the structural engineer. | The building must show a clear structural path and suitable construction method for the site. |
| External moisture | Cladding, roofing, flashing, window and door junctions, wall build-ups and roof drainage. | Small buildings still need robust weathertightness documentation. |
| Internal moisture | Bathroom, laundry and kitchen moisture-control details, ventilation and wet area notes. | A self-contained unit creates wet areas that must be properly documented. |
| Services | Water supply, sanitary plumbing, drainage, stormwater and wastewater coordination. | Granny flats often fail at consent stage when service connections are unclear. |
| Fire safety | Fire separation and boundary-related fire details where required. | Detached units close to boundaries or other buildings may need careful fire spread consideration. |
Process
We clarify the intended use, approximate size, site constraints, kitchen and bathroom needs, and whether you are seeking full consent documentation.
We develop the architectural set: site plan, floor plan, elevations, sections, details and specifications suitable for consent coordination.
We coordinate the architectural information with structural, drainage, stormwater, wastewater and other specialist inputs where required.
We assemble the council-ready consent information so the application is clearer, more complete and easier to assess.
Clear definitions
Homeowners often use these words interchangeably, but they do not always mean the same thing for consent documentation.
Cost clarity
Cost cannot be answered accurately from size alone. The consent drawings help define what builders and consultants are actually pricing.
Ground conditions, site access, slope, drainage routes, existing services and proximity to boundaries can all affect the build and consent pathway.
Cladding, roofing, windows, insulation, foundation type, wet areas and internal finishes can significantly affect the final project cost.
Structural design, drainage design, stormwater, wastewater and service connections may require specialist input depending on the site and scope.
Granny flat FAQs
Some small standalone dwellings may use the 2026 granny flat building consent exemption if every condition is met. Many projects still need a full building consent package because of size, design, services, drainage, fire separation, site constraints or owner preference for a council-assessed consent record.
It depends on the site, services, access, planning rules and whether the project follows an exemption pathway or a full building consent pathway. This page is for homeowners who need council-ready architectural drawings and consent documentation for a self-contained residential unit.
A typical package includes a site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections, construction details, Building Code notes, material specifications, wall and roof build-ups, wet area details, fire separation details where required, and stormwater, wastewater and service coordination.
A minor dwelling is commonly understood as a smaller secondary residential unit on a property. The planning definition can vary, but for building consent purposes the unit must be habitable, safe, sanitary, durable and compliant with the relevant Building Code requirements.
Cost depends on size, foundations, service connections, drainage, site access, ground conditions, cladding, roofing, internal finishes, consultant inputs and whether the design is simple or complex. A clear consent drawing package helps builders price the work more accurately.
Not usually. A sleepout is often an accessory sleeping space, while a granny flat or minor dwelling is normally self-contained and may include a bathroom, kitchen, living area and sleeping area. A self-contained unit usually needs more complete consent documentation.
Yes. We can help turn supplier information, kitset drawings or prefabricated building information into a coordinated consent package, provided the project scope, site conditions and consultant requirements are clear.
Official NZ guidance
These references help homeowners check official building consent, exemption and Building Code context directly.
Experience and responsibility
ArchSolutioNZ prepares residential consent documentation, coordinates consultants and helps homeowners understand what council needs before construction starts.
Related services
Send us your site address, rough idea, supplier drawings if you have them, and any sketches or inspiration. We will help identify what documentation is needed for the building consent pathway.
