Can I build a granny flat in the Riverland in 2026? Yes, with development approval. South Australia now allows ancillary accommodation up to 70 m2, up from 60 m2, and it no longer has to share cooking, bathing or laundry with the main house, according to the Premier of SA. PlanSA confirms existing granny flats can be leased or rented out.
This page is for homeowners and growers in Renmark, Paringa, Berri, Barmera, Monash, Loxton and Waikerie. Common reasons for a granny flat here are family, seasonal or permanent farm workers, and rental income. The usual hold-up is not the rules. It is getting a builder to commit to a small home in a region with few trades and long distances.
The SA rules that apply in the Riverland
- Ancillary accommodation can be up to 70 m2.
- It can have its own kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
- Existing ancillary accommodation can be leased or rented out (PlanSA).
- Planning consent and building consent are both still needed.
Three councils cover the region: Renmark Paringa Council, Berri Barmera Council and Loxton Waikerie Council. Each applies the Planning and Design Code for its zones. Rural and primary production land can carry different rules from town blocks, so check the zone first.
Why modular fits Riverland properties
A modular granny flat is built as finished steel-framed modules, trucked to the property and craned onto footings. Your builder prepares the footings and services, then connects the modules after the lift. The time trades spend on your land is short.
That helps on orchards and vineyards where work around harvest makes a long build hard to manage. It also means the fit-out is done under cover rather than in summer heat, and inspected before it leaves the factory.
What EcoPrestige supplies
As the manufacturer, EcoPrestige is responsible for every module: built and inspected in an offsite factory to Australian engineering and QA, then delivered to site. Each module arrives with the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, linings, windows and electrical rough-in in place.
- Engineered structural steel modules built to suit the site.
- A bill of quantities for your builder to price the site works.
- Lifting points and an install plan for the crane crew.
- Supply price quoted for your site.
The design and permit package is explained on our Domestic Program page. Prices are not shown on this page.
What does not fit
- River Murray flood risk: land on or near the river flats may need raised floor levels or may not be suitable. Check flood mapping with your council before you design.
- Tight access: narrow driveways, rows of vines or overhead lines can block a truck or crane.
- Bushfire overlays: some rural lots carry bushfire rules that change materials and setbacks.
- Heritage areas: heritage places in the older town centres add planning steps.
- Slopes and cliffs: lots near the river cliffs or on slopes add footing cost.
The installation and crane guide explains what a crane pad and truck route need.
The approval path in SA
We design and draft your home, then coordinate engineering, the energy rating and certification. In South Australia, development approval is made up of planning consent and building consent, assessed by the council or an accredited professional under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act. There is no designer or engineer registration category in SA, and the energy assessment is independent of the design. A granny flat is typically Class 1a, confirmed by your building surveyor. See building permits for modular buildings for inspections. Confirm each step with your building surveyor or certifier.
The programme
Step 1 of the Domestic Program is feasibility on your site, including zone, flood mapping, access and services. Step 2 is design, permits and build by the practitioners SA requires. After approval, the factory makes the modules while your builder prepares footings and services on the property. Factory and site work run in parallel, so time on site is shorter. The builder is your own builder or a local Riverland builder working from our bill of quantities.
What to send us
- 1. The property address or certificate of title.
- 2. The use: family, worker or rental, and bedrooms needed.
- 3. Photos of the driveway, the house site and any overhead lines.
- 4. Whether the land is near the river or has been flood-affected.
- 5. Water and wastewater: mains, tanks, sewer or septic.
- 6. Your builder’s details, if you have one.
For more on the state, see modular construction in South Australia and transportable buildings in South Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent out a granny flat in Renmark, Berri or Loxton?
Yes. PlanSA confirms existing ancillary accommodation can be leased or rented out. A new one still needs planning consent and building consent from the council or an accredited professional.
Can I build a granny flat on river flat land in the Riverland?
Possibly, but River Murray flood risk can require raised floor levels or rule a site out. Check flood mapping with your council before design starts.
Who installs a modular granny flat in the Riverland?
EcoPrestige manufactures the modules. Your own builder or a local Riverland builder installs them and does the site works, using our bill of quantities.
Rules last checked: 29 October 2026. Confirm with your council and building surveyor or certifier.
Send us your Riverland block
Send the site, the use and any drawings to prebuilt@ecoprestige.com.au or download our technical brochures.