Hurunui District Council constructing and property supervisor Kerry Walsh stated householders nonetheless have to contact the council earlier than they start the construct to make sure it can adjust to constructing rules.
‘‘Property homeowners will now be capable to construct a granny flat or small stand-alone dwelling offering they observe some fundamental standards.
‘‘No constructing code checks will probably be executed by the council, so warning when deciding on a licensed constructing practitioner is really useful.
‘‘We’re additionally anticipating a bigger variety of non-complying or unlawful granny flats as folks construct them unaware of the minimal standards.’’
Beneath the brand new laws, residential buildings as much as 70 sq. metres now not want a consent, offered the brand new constructing is at the very least two metres from different buildings and the property boundaries, and there will probably be just one granny flat on the location.
Buildings should be new, stand-alone and single storey, should be of light-weight timber or metal framing, and designed and constructed by a licensed constructing practitioner.
A useful resource consent could also be required if the location is in a pure hazard space.
Owners who meet the factors might want to apply to the council for a PIM report (challenge data memorandum) earlier than participating a builder.
‘‘For regular work, round 20 p.c of inspections are failed for consented work, so this must be thought of when constructing a granny flat with no inspections,’’ Mr Walsh stated.
‘‘You do have the choice of nonetheless making use of for a constructing consent as a way to get some certainty of constructing code compliance.’’
The brand new guidelines over-ride the prevailing Hurunui District Plan guidelines, together with Hanmer Springs’ design requirements, he stated.
Waimakariri District Council planning, regulation and atmosphere basic supervisor Kelly LaValley stated the brand new planning guidelines will simplify the method for constructing a granny flat with fewer prices.
However property homeowners will probably be legally accountable for guaranteeing the constructing work complies with the constructing code and notifying the council when work begins and is accomplished.
A hard and fast payment for granny flats will probably be launched and the council will present the choice to acquire a constructing consent to offer ‘‘assurance by way of the consent and inspection course of’’, Ms LaValley stated.
The brand new Waimakariri District Plan additionally has guidelines across the dimension and site of granny flats and the brand new Nationwide Environmental Requirements for Indifferent Minor Residential Items may even apply, she stated.
Kaikōura District Council constructing management supervisor Glenn Vaughan stated householders have to contact the council earlier than they start the construct.
‘‘Probably the most necessary issues concerning the granny flat laws is that there should already be an current dwelling on the proposed constructing web site.”
Mr Vaughan stated the PIM course of ensures the constructing work will meet the necessities of the District Plan and exemption necessities.
As soon as a PIM report has been issued, the house owner has two years to interact a builder and full the construct, notify the council the work is full and pay any growth contribution discover required.
As there is no such thing as a consenting course of, the council isn’t responsible for constructing work undertaken below the exemption, Mr Vaughan stated.
‘‘We strongly advise house owner’s to make sure they’ve the mandatory insurance coverage in addition to a robust constructing contract in place with their designer, builder, roofer, plumber, electrician and some other tradespeople they select to make use of.’’
By David Hill, Native Democracy Reporter■ LDR is native physique journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
