The prospect of smaller shoebox apartments in Auckland may not suit families, but they could suit other people.

Building apartments as small as 30 square metres could become legal under proposed changes to Auckland's planning rules.

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That's a backtrack on restrictions introduced in 2007.

Property Investors Federation executive officer Andrew King said many young people want smaller, cheaper apartments.

He reports there are some apartments "designed for families" in suburbs like St Lukes.

"They have two or three bedrooms, they're a little bit larger, but they're further away from the city."

The proposed changes to planning rules would see the the minimum size of a studio apartment reduced from 35 square metres to 30 metres.

The minimum for a one-bedroom apartment could be reduced from 45 to 40.

Andrew King said having more smaller, cheaper apartments could help satisfy Auckland's growing housing demand.

"If they're available and the financing of them was cheaper, it would certainly help and it would certainly satisfy some demand out there."

King said that would mean cheaper rents for students and young people, and retired people who want a smaller place to stay.