Business - Metropolitan Centre Zone — Auckland
Zone Description
The Business – Metropolitan Centre Zone applies to centres in different sub-regional catchments of Auckland. These centres are second only to the city centre in overall scale and intensity and act as focal points for community interaction and commercial growth. The zone provides for commercial, leisure, high-density residential, tourist, cultural, community and civic services. The zone is identified for growth and intensification, with high-rise buildings generally allowed. Some street frontages are subject to Key Retail Frontage Control or General Commercial Frontage Control provisions.
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum building height | 72.5m | Unless 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 height | Recession plane extends 30m into site |
| Height in relation to boundary (Residential – Mixed Housing Urban Zone) | 45° recession plane from 3m height | Recession plane extends 30m into site |
| Height in relation to boundary (Residential – Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings Zone) | 60° recession plane from 8m height | Recession plane extends 30m into site |
| Height in relation to boundary (Special Purpose – Māori Purpose Zone / Special Purpose – School Zone) | 45° recession plane from 6m height | Recession plane extends 30m into site |
| Height in relation to boundary (Business – Mixed Use Zone / Business – General Business Zone) | 60° recession plane from 8m height | Recession plane extends 30m into site |
| Height in relation to boundary (Open Space zones, northern boundary) | 45° recession plane from 8.5m height | Recession plane extends 30m into site |
| Height in relation to boundary (Open Space zones, southern/eastern/western boundary) | 45° recession plane from 16.5m height | Recession plane extends 30m into site |
| Building setback at upper floors | 6m setback from site frontage | From point where building exceeds 32.5m |
| Maximum tower dimension (plan view) | 55m | For part of building above 32.5m |
| Tower separation (side/rear boundary) | 6m minimum | For part of building above 32.5m |
| Residential at ground floor | Not permitted fronting public open spaces/streets | Dwellings must not locate on ground floor with frontage to public open spaces including streets |
| Rear yard (adjacent to residential zone or Special Purpose – Māori Purpose Zone) | 3m minimum | With planting for full 3m depth |
| Side yard (adjacent to residential zone or Special Purpose – Māori Purpose Zone) | 3m minimum | With planting for full 3m depth |
| Riparian yard | 10m minimum from edge of permanent/intermittent streams | |
| Lakeside yard | 30m minimum | |
| Coastal protection yard | 25m minimum | Or as otherwise specified in Appendix 6 |
| Landscape buffer (street frontage) | 2m depth | Between street and car parking/loading/service areas visible from street |
| Maximum impervious area in riparian yard | 10% of riparian yard area | |
| Wind (buildings exceeding 25m) | Mean wind speed must not exceed category for intended use | Per Table H9.6.9.1; peak 3-second gust not to exceed 25m/s; must not increase existing wind speed exceeding controls |
| Minimum dwelling size (studio) | 35m² net internal floor area | May be reduced by 5m² if balcony/terrace ≥5m² provided |
| Minimum dwelling size (one or more bedroom) | 50m² net internal floor area | May be reduced by 8m² if balcony/terrace ≥8m² provided |
| Outlook space (principal living areas) | Per Figure H9.6.10.2 based on floor height | Measured perpendicular to exterior face |
| Outlook space (bedrooms) | 6m minimum | Measured perpendicular to exterior face |
| Balcony/terrace minimum depth (studios) | 1.2m | For exclusive use; directly accessible from principal living room |
| Balcony/terrace minimum depth (one or more bedroom) | 1.8m | For exclusive use; directly accessible from principal living room |
Permitted Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Dwellings | P |
| Integrated residential development | P |
| Supported residential care | P |
| Visitor accommodation and boarding houses | P |
| Commercial services | P |
| Conference facilities | P |
| Entertainment facilities | P |
| Cinemas | P |
| Offices | P |
| Retail | P |
| Artworks | P |
| Care centres | P |
| Community facilities | P |
| Education facilities | P |
| Healthcare facilities | P |
| Justice facilities | P |
| Recreation facilities | P |
| Tertiary education facilities | P |
| Industrial laboratories | P |
| Light manufacturing and servicing | P |
| Repair and maintenance services | P |
| Warehousing and storage | P |
| Marae complex | P |
| Alterations to building facades less than 25m² | P |
| Additions to buildings less than 25% of existing GFA or 250m² (whichever lesser) | P |
| Internal alterations to buildings | P |
Restricted Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Conversion of building/part of building to dwellings, integrated residential development, visitor accommodation or boarding houses | RD |
| Drive-through restaurants | RD |
| Emergency services | RD |
| Service stations | RD |
| New buildings | RD |
| Additions and alterations to buildings not otherwise provided for | RD |
Controlled Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Demolition of buildings | C |
Not Complying / Prohibited Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Activities not provided for | NC |
| Industrial activities | NC |
| Waste management facilities | NC |
| Hospitals | D |
| Storage and lock-up facilities | D |
Activities Within 30m of Residential Zone
The following activities are restricted discretionary (not permitted) when located within 30m of a residential zone, even if listed as permitted:
- Bars and taverns
- Drive-through restaurants
- Outdoor eating areas accessory to restaurants
- Entertainment facilities
- Child care centres
- Animal breeding and boarding
(This standard applies only to parts of activities within 30m of residential zone boundary)
Assessment Criteria — Restricted Discretionary Activities
Drive-through restaurants, activities within 30m of residential zone, emergency services, service stations
Council discretion restricted to:
- Compatibility of intensity/scale effects on existing and expected future amenity values, with practicable mitigation measures
- Design and location of parking areas, vehicle access, servicing arrangements on visual amenity and pedestrian safety
- Location, design and management of storage/servicing facilities on amenity, including visual effects, access adequacy for service vehicles, night-time noise effects
- Assessment having regard to functional requirements of the activity
New buildings and alterations/additions not otherwise provided for
Council discretion restricted to:
- Design and appearance affecting existing/future amenity of public streets and spaces, including:
- Contribution to attractiveness, pleasantness and enclosure of public space
- Maintenance/enhancement of pedestrian amenity
- 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 car parking and service areas from public view
- Provision of floor-to-floor heights providing flexibility for adaptable use over time
- Extent of glazing on walls fronting public streets/spaces and benefits for:
- Attractiveness and pleasantness of public space
- Visibility between public space and building interior
- Opportunities for passive surveillance of street from ground floor
- Provision of verandahs for weather protection in areas with significant pedestrian use
- Application of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles
- Effects of creation of new roads/service lanes on above matters
- Positive effects of landscaping on public space amenity
- Integrated stormwater management approach
- All matters assessed having regard to Plan outcomes and functional requirements
Integrated retail developments / Supermarkets, department stores, large format retail >1000m² GFA per tenancy
In addition to new buildings matters, Council discretion restricted