Business - City Centre Zone

District plan rules for the Business - City Centre Zone in Auckland, New Zealand.

Summarised from the Auckland District Plan. This is a summary compiled from the council's published plan, not the plan itself — and not legal or planning advice. Always verify against the council's official document before relying on any figure, and check whether a more recent plan change applies.

Business - City Centre Zone — Auckland

Zone Overview

The Business – City Centre Zone is Auckland's primary centre, positioned at the top of the centres hierarchy. It enables intensive development while managing effects on amenity, heritage, views to natural landmarks, and the waterfront relationship.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height – GeneralMap H8.11.3Varies by location; see Height Variation Control
Maximum height – Special height areaMap H8.11.3Subject to additional tower dimension and setback standards
Height – Aotea Square control planeFigure in Appendix 11Defined height plane; buildings must not exceed
Height – Harbour edge control plane40m above Quay Street centre line, tilted 45° southerlyStandard H8.6.5
Height – Railway station view protection planeFigure H8.6.7.1 with coordinatesDefined by NZVD2016 elevations
Height measurement methodRolling height or average street levelDepending on contours and location (H8.6.8)
Height – Nelson Street sitesMean street level, max 26m depth from boundaryH8.6.8(3)
Maximum tower dimension (special height area)55m averageFor part of building above 28m (H8.6.24)
Tower setback from boundary (special height area)6m minimumFor part of building above 28m (H8.6.24)
Tower separation (multiple towers)12m minimumBetween parts of buildings above 28m (H8.6.24)
Maximum east-west tower dimension45m maximumFor building above 28m (special height area) or 32.5m (other sites) (H8.6.24A)
Building setback from boundary (general)6m minimumFor part of building above 32.5m (H8.6.25A)
Maximum tower dimension (non-special height area)55m averageFor part of building above 32.5m (H8.6.25A)
Tower separation (non-special height area)12m minimumBetween parts of buildings above 32.5m (H8.6.25A)
Minimum frontage height19m or 13mIdentified on Map H8.11.5 for minimum contiguous height 6m depth (H8.6.25)
Maximum frontage height28m or 1:1 street width ratioIdentified on Map H8.11.5A for 6m depth (H8.6.25(2))
Ground floor minimum floor-to-floor height4.5mFor minimum 10m depth adjoining street or public open space (H8.6.27)
Upper floor minimum floor-to-floor height3.6mFor non-residential activities (H8.6.27)
Rooftop projectionsMaximum 3 structuresMust be enclosed and integrated within roof design (H8.6.9)
Verandah height3m–4mAbove adjoining footpath (H8.6.26)
Verandah setback from carriageway700mm minimumIn plan from edge of road (H8.6.26)
Verandah width – Queen Street (north of Wakefield)4m minimumH8.6.26, Table H8.6.26.1
Verandah width – Queen Street (west side, Aotea–Wellesley)5m minimumH8.6.26, Table H8.6.26.1
Verandah width – Karangahape Road4m minimumH8.6.26, Table H8.6.26.1
Verandah width – Swanson Street (Mills Lane–Queen)3m minimumH8.6.26, Table H8.6.26.1
Verandah width – Vulcan Lane (south side)3m minimumH8.6.26, Table H8.6.26.1
Verandah width – Other frontages3m or 700mm setbackWhichever is lesser (H8.6.26)
Verandah lighting20 lux minimumMeasured 2m from building at ground level, 0.5 uniformity ratio (H8.6.26)
Glare – Reflectivity20% maximumOf white light on all external surfaces (H8.6.29)
Wind – Mean speed limitCategory A–DPer Table H8.6.28.1 by location type (H8.6.28)
Wind – Peak gust limit25m/s maximumAverage annual maximum peak 3 second gust (H8.6.28)
Outlook space – Principal living areas6m minimumPerpendicular to exterior wall (H8.6.32)
Outlook space – Bedrooms6m minimumPerpendicular to exterior wall (H8.6.32)
Outlook space – Location constraintNot toward side boundary if within 10m of frontageOver site, street, public open space, or other site with legal covenant (H8.6.32)
Railway corridor setback5m minimumFrom boundary adjoining Strategic Transport Corridor Zone – Railway (H8.6.34)
Dwelling minimum size – Studio35m² net internalReducible by 5m² with 5m² balcony/terrace (H8.6.33)
Dwelling minimum size – One+ bedroom50m² net internalReducible by 8m² with 8m² balcony/terrace (H8.6.33)
Balcony/terrace minimum depth – Studio1.2mH8.6.33
Balcony/terrace minimum depth – One+ bedroom1.8mH8.6.33
Streetscape landscaping – 6m zone50% minimumBetween street and 6m parallel line (identified sites) (H8.6.23)
Streetscape landscaping – 3m setback zoneNo building/parkingFrom street frontage (identified sites) (H8.6.23)
Streetscape landscaping – Net site area (30%)30% minimumOn identified sites (H8.6.23)
Streetscape landscaping – Net site area (10%)10% minimumOn identified sites (H8.6.23)
Streetscape landscaping – Special amenity yard8m depthFrom north-eastern boundary; no building/parking (H8.6.23)
Tree specification for landscaping8m minimum height at maturity1.5m minimum at planting (H8.6.23)

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
Boarding housesP
DwellingsP
Retirement villagesP
Supported residential careP
Visitor accommodationP
Commercial servicesP
Entertainment facilitiesP
OfficesP
RetailP
Conference facilitiesP
ArtworksP
Public amenitiesP
Care centresP
Community facilitiesP
Education facilitiesP
Emergency servicesP
Healthcare facilitiesP
HospitalsP
Information facilitiesP
Recreation facilitiesP
Major recreation facilitiesP
Tertiary education facilitiesP
Industrial laboratoriesP
ManufacturingP
Repair and maintenance servicesP
Warehousing and storageP
Marae complexP
Minor cosmetic alterations (no external design change)P
Internal alterations to buildingsP

Controlled Activities

ActivityStatus
Demolition of buildingsC

Controlled Activity – Demolition of Buildings

Matters of control:

  • Pedestrian amenity and safety
  • Reuse of building materials
  • Site condition post-demolition

Other zones in Auckland