Business - Town Centre Zone — Auckland
Zone Description
The Business – Town Centre Zone applies to suburban centres throughout Auckland, satellite centres (Warkworth, Pukekohe), and rural towns (Helensville, Wellsford). Centres are typically located on main arterial roads with good public transport access. Most centres are identified for growth and intensification, with building heights typically between 4–8 storeys depending on context. Some street frontages are subject to Key Retail Frontage Control or General Commercial Frontage Control provisions.
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height | As shown in Height Variation Control on planning maps | Varies by location; standard range 13m–27m+ |
| Occupiable building height | As shown in Height Variation Control | Component of total height |
| Height for roof form | 2m | Above occupiable height; for roof, terraces, plant, mechanical/electrical equipment only |
| Height in relation to boundary — Residential Single House / Mixed Housing Suburban Zone | 45° recession plane from 2.5m | Where boundary adjoins residential zone |
| Height in relation to boundary — Residential Mixed Housing Urban Zone | 45° recession plane from 3m | Where boundary adjoins residential zone |
| Height in relation to boundary — Residential Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings Zone | 60° recession plane from 8m | Where boundary adjoins residential zone |
| Height in relation to boundary — Special Purpose Māori Purpose / School Zone | 45° recession plane from 6m | Where boundary adjoins special purpose zone |
| Height in relation to boundary — Business Mixed Use / General Business Zone | 60° recession plane from 8m | Adjacent business zones |
| Height in relation to boundary — Open Space zones (north, east, west boundary) | 45° recession plane from 8.5m | Conservation, Informal Recreation, Sports and Active Recreation, Civic Spaces, Community zones |
| Height in relation to boundary — Open Space zones (south boundary) | 45° recession plane from 16.5m | For buildings located on southern boundary of adjacent open space site |
| Building setback at upper floors — Opposite residential zone | 6m from site frontage | From point exceeding 18m height |
| Building setback at upper floors — All other zones | 6m from site frontage | From point exceeding 27m height |
| Maximum tower dimension (above 27m) | 55m | Horizontal dimension between most separate exterior points |
| Tower separation (above 27m) | 6m minimum | From any side or rear boundary |
| Rear yard — Adjoining residential zone or Special Purpose Māori Purpose Zone | 3m | Minimum depth |
| Side yard — Adjoining residential zone or Special Purpose Māori Purpose Zone | 3m | Minimum depth |
| Side and rear yard landscaping | 3m depth minimum | Mix of trees, shrubs, or ground cover plants including grass |
| Riparian yard | 10m | From edge of all permanent and intermittent streams |
| Lakeside yard | 30m | Minimum setback from lake edge |
| Coastal protection yard | 25m | Or as otherwise specified in Appendix 6 |
| Maximum impervious area in riparian yard | 10% | Of riparian yard area |
| Landscaping buffer at street frontage | 2m depth | Between street and car parking, loading, or service areas (visible from frontage) |
| Landscaping buffer composition | Mix of trees, shrubs, or ground cover plants | Required in all landscaped areas |
| Wind — Maximum mean wind speed (buildings >25m) | Category threshold | As per Table H10.6.9.1 for intended use |
| Wind — Maximum average annual peak gust | 25m/second | Must not exceed dangerous level |
| Outlook space — Principal living room | 6m depth × 4m width | Minimum dimension for dwelling or main living/dining area |
| Outlook space — Other habitable rooms | 3m depth × 3m width | Minimum dimension for other rooms/bedrooms |
| Minimum dwelling size — Studio | 30m² | Net internal floor area |
| Minimum dwelling size — One or more bedroom | 45m² | Net internal floor area |
| Residential at ground floor | Prohibited | Dwellings/units must not have ground floor frontage to public open spaces/streets |
Permitted Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Activities not provided for | Not Complying (NC) |
| Dwellings | Permitted (P) |
| Integrated residential development | Permitted (P) |
| Supported residential care | Permitted (P) |
| Visitor accommodation and boarding houses | Permitted (P) |
| Commercial services | Permitted (P) |
| Entertainment facilities | Permitted (P) |
| Cinemas | Permitted (P) |
| Offices | Permitted (P) |
| Retail | Permitted (P) |
| Artworks | Permitted (P) |
| Care centres | Permitted (P) |
| Community facilities | Permitted (P) |
| Education facilities | Permitted (P) |
| Healthcare facilities | Permitted (P) |
| Justice facilities | Permitted (P) |
| Recreation facilities | Permitted (P) |
| Tertiary education facilities | Permitted (P) |
| Industrial laboratories | Permitted (P) |
| Light manufacturing and servicing | Permitted (P) |
| Repair and maintenance services | Permitted (P) |
| Warehousing and storage | Permitted (P) |
| Marae complex | Permitted (P) |
| Demolition of buildings | Permitted (P) |
| Alterations to building facades <25m² | Permitted (P) |
| Additions to buildings <25% gross floor area or <250m² (whichever is lesser) | Permitted (P) |
| Internal alterations to buildings | Permitted (P) |
Restricted Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Status | Matters of Discretion |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion of building to dwellings, residential development, visitor accommodation or boarding houses | RD (RD) | Outlook space and minimum dwelling size standards compliance; amenity between dwellings |
| Conference facilities | Discretionary (D) | — |
| Drive-through restaurants | RD | Compatibility with surrounding amenity; parking/access design; storage/servicing effects; functional requirements |
| Entertainment facilities within 30m of residential zone | RD | Compatibility with residential amenity; intensity and scale effects |
| Service stations | RD | Compatibility with surrounding amenity; parking/access design; storage/servicing effects; functional requirements |
| Care centres within 30m of residential zone | RD | Compatibility with residential amenity; intensity and scale effects |
| Emergency services | RD | Compatibility with surrounding amenity; intensity and scale effects |
| Storage and lock-up facilities | Discretionary (D) | — |
| Hospitals | Discretionary (D) | — |
| New buildings | RD | Design and appearance; pedestrian amenity; streetscape contribution; glazing; verandahs; crime prevention through environmental design; landscaping; stormwater management; functional requirements |
| Additions and alterations to buildings not otherwise provided for | RD | Design and appearance; pedestrian amenity; streetscape contribution; glazing; verandahs; crime prevention through environmental design; landscaping; stormwater management; functional requirements |
Special Activity Standards
| Activity | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Activities within 30m of residential zone | Bars, taverns, drive-through restaurants, outdoor eating areas (accessory to restaurants), entertainment facilities, child care centres, animal breeding and boarding | Converted to RD if listed as Permitted; applies only to parts within 30m |
| Integrated retail developments | RD for new buildings | Assessment includes integration with centre, active frontages, pedestrian amenity, parking/servicing design |
| Supermarkets, department stores, large format retail (>1000m² GFA per tenancy) | RD for new buildings | Assessment includes integration with centre, active frontages, pedestrian amenity, parking/servicing design |
Notification
| Rule | Provision |
|---|---|
| Standard notification | Subject to normal Resource Management Act 1991 tests |
| Affected persons | As per Rule C1.13(4) |
| Non-notification exemption | Development not complying with Standard H10.6.11 (Minimum dwelling size) — considered without public/limited notification unless special circumstances exist |