Business - General Business Zone

District plan rules for the Business - General Business 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 - General Business Zone — Auckland

Zone Description

The Business – General Business Zone provides for business activities from light industrial to limited office, large format retail and trade suppliers. The zone is located primarily adjacent or close to the Business – City Centre Zone, Business – Metropolitan Centre Zone and Business – Town Centre Zone, or within identified growth corridors.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height16.5mUnless otherwise specified in Height Variation Control
Height in relation to boundary (Residential – Single House Zone / Residential – Mixed Housing Suburban Zone)45° recession plane from 2.5m above ground levelAt zone boundary
Height in relation to boundary (Residential – Mixed Housing Urban Zone)45° recession plane from 3m above ground levelAt zone boundary
Height in relation to boundary (Residential – Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings Zone)60° recession plane from 8m above ground levelAt zone boundary
Height in relation to boundary (Special Purpose – Māori Purpose Zone / Special Purpose – School Zone)45° recession plane from 6m above ground levelAt zone boundary
Height in relation to boundary (Open Space zones)45° recession plane from 4.5m above ground levelAt zone boundary
Front yard (landscaping buffer)2m depthBetween street and car parking, loading, or service areas visible from street
Side yard3mWhere side boundary adjoins Residential zone or Special Purpose – Māori Purpose Zone; landscaping required for full 3m depth
Rear yard3mWhere rear boundary adjoins Residential zone or Special Purpose – Māori Purpose Zone; landscaping required for full 3m depth
Riparian yard10m from edge of all permanent and intermittent streamsMinimum setback
Lakeside yard30mMinimum setback
Coastal protection yard25mOr as otherwise specified in Appendix 6
Maximum impervious area in riparian yard10% of riparian yard areaSupports functioning of riparian yards and in-stream health
Landscaping in yardsMix of trees, shrubs or ground cover plants (including grass)Required within side and rear yards for full 3m depth
Wind (buildings exceeding 25m in height)Mean wind speed must not exceed category for intended useAs per Table H14.6.6.1; certified by suitably qualified person
Wind – peak gustAverage annual maximum peak 3-second gust must not exceed 25m per secondFor buildings exceeding 25m in height

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
Commercial servicesP
Drive-through restaurantsP
Entertainment facilitiesP
Food and beverageP
Garden centresP
Marine retailP
Motor vehicle salesP
Offices up to 500m² gross floor area per siteP
Retail up to 200m² gross floor area per tenancyNC
Retail greater than 450m² gross floor area per tenancyP
Service stationsRD
Trade suppliersP
ArtworksP
Recreation facilityP
Marae complexP
Industrial activitiesP
Demolition of buildingsP
Alterations to building facades less than 25m²P
Additions to buildings less than 25% of existing gross floor area or 250m² (whichever is lesser)P
Internal alterations to buildingsP

Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatus
Commercial sexual servicesD
Conference facilitiesD
Department storesRD
Funeral directors' premisesD
Offices greater than 500m² gross floor area per siteD
Retail exceeding 200m² per tenancy and up to 450m² gross floor area per tenancyD
Supermarkets up to 450m² gross floor area per tenancyD
Supermarkets greater than 450m² gross floor area per tenancyRD
Care centresD
Community facilitiesD
Education facilitiesD
Emergency servicesRD
Healthcare facilitiesD
HospitalsD
Justice facilitiesD
Tertiary education facilitiesD
Food and beverage activities that form part of an integrated development, with more than 5 food and beverage activitiesRD
New buildingsRD
Additions and alterations to buildings not otherwise provided forRD

Non-Complying Activities

ActivityStatus
Activities not provided forNC
DwellingsNC
Conversion of a building or part of a building to dwellings, residential development, visitor accommodation or boarding housesNC
Integrated residential developmentNC
Supported residential careNC
Visitor accommodation and boarding housesNC
CinemasNC
Waste management facilitiesNC
Retail up to 200m² gross floor area per tenancyNC

Activities Within 30m of Residential Zone

The following permitted activities become Restricted Discretionary (RD) when located within 30m of a residential zone:

  • Bars and taverns
  • Drive-through restaurants
  • Outdoor eating areas accessory to restaurants
  • Entertainment facilities
  • Child care centres
  • Animal breeding and boarding

Notification Requirements

The following applications must be publicly notified:

  • Dwellings (H14.4.1(A2))
  • Integrated residential development (H14.4.1(A4))

All other applications are subject to normal tests for notification under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Assessment Criteria — Restricted Discretionary Activities

Activities Within 30m of Residential Zone, Emergency Services and Service Stations

Matters of discretion:

  • Compatibility of effects of intensity and scale of development on existing and expected future amenity values and practicable mitigation measures
  • Effects of design and location of parking areas, vehicle access and servicing arrangements on visual amenity and pedestrian safety
  • Effects of location, design and management of storage and servicing facilities on amenity values of nearby residential properties
  • Assessment having regard to functional requirements of the activity

Supermarkets Greater Than 450m² and Department Stores

Matters of discretion:

  • Compatibility of effects of intensity and scale of development on existing and expected future amenity values
  • Effects of design and location of parking areas, vehicle access and servicing arrangements on visual amenity and pedestrian safety
  • Effects of size, composition and characteristics of retail and office activities on function, role and amenity of other centre zones
  • Assessment having regard to functional requirements of the activity

Food and Beverage Activities (Integrated Development with More Than 5 Activities)

Matters of discretion:

  • Association between scale of proposed development and enablement of high-intensity residential development on same site or in close vicinity
  • Effects (including cumulative) of size, composition and characteristics of retail activities on function, role and amenity of other centre zones

New Buildings and Alterations/Additions to Buildings

Matters of discretion:

  • Design and appearance of buildings affecting existing and future amenity values of public streets and spaces
  • Contribution to attractiveness, pleasantness and enclosure of public space
  • Maintenance or enhancement of amenity for pedestrians
  • Provision of convenient and direct access between street and building for people of all ages and abilities
  • Measures for limiting adverse visual effects of blank walls
  • Effectiveness of screening of car parking and service areas
  • Provision of floor to floor heights allowing flexibility for adaptable use over time
  • Extent and benefits of glazing on walls fronting public streets and spaces
  • Provision of verandahs for weather protection
  • Application of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles
  • Effects of creation of new roads and/or service lanes
  • Positive effects of landscaping on amenity values
  • Integrated stormwater management approach

Large Format Retail, Supermarkets, Department Stores and Trade Suppliers Exceeding 1000m² Gross Floor Area Per Tenancy

Additional matter of discretion:

  • Manner in which buildings/developments are integrated with adjacent existing and planned future centre and zone activities and public spaces
  • Provision for continuity of active public frontages and associated pedestrian amenity

Drive-Through Restaurants and Service Stations

Additional matters of discretion:

  • Effects of location and design of buildings,

Other zones in Auckland