Residential height limits
The maximum building height permitted in each council's residential zones. Height is the standard most often misremembered in a listing conversation, and it varies by zone as much as by council.
Compiled from each council's operative district plan. These are summaries, not the plans themselves — verify with the council before relying on a figure. A specific property may also be subject to overlays, designations or consent notices that change what applies.
| Zone | Council | As the plan states it |
|---|---|---|
| Residential - Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings Zone | Auckland | 16m16m (default) or as specified in Height Variation Control on planning maps |
| Residential - Mixed Housing Urban Zone | Auckland | 11m11m |
| Medium Density Residential Zone | Whangārei | 11m11m above ground level |
| Residential - Large Lot Zone | Auckland | 8m8m |
| Residential - Low Density Residential Zone | Auckland | 8m8m |
| Residential - Mixed Housing Suburban Zone | Auckland | 8m8m |
| Residential - Rural and Coastal Settlement Zone | Auckland | 8m8m |
| Residential - Single House Zone | Auckland | 8m8m |
| General Residential | Far North | 8m8m above ground level |
| Residential Zone | Far North | 8m8m |
| General Residential Zone | Whangārei | 8m8m above ground level |
| Large Lot Residential Zone | Whangārei | 8m8m above ground level |
| Low Density Residential Zone | Whangārei | 8m8m above ground level |
13 zones listed
What applies to a particular address?
This table compares the generic zone rule. Find the zone for a specific property free:
Free, no signup. Zone, council and parcel size for any NZ address.