Open Space

District plan rules for the Open Space 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.

Open Space — Auckland

Zone Overview

Five open space zones are used to manage activities on land zoned open space in Auckland:

  • Open Space – Conservation Zone
  • Open Space – Informal Recreation Zone
  • Open Space – Sport and Active Recreation Zone
  • Open Space – Civic Spaces Zone
  • Open Space – Community Zone

Building Standards

RuleConservationInformal RecreationSport & Active RecreationCivic SpacesCommunityNotes
Maximum height4m8m10m4m8m—
Height in relation to boundaryAdjoining zone standard appliesAdjoining zone standard appliesAdjoining zone standard appliesAdjoining zone standard appliesAdjoining zone standard appliesWhere zone directly adjoins another zone
Front yard5m5m or average setback of adjacent buildings, whichever is lesser5mAverage setback of adjacent buildingsAverage setback of adjacent buildings—
Side yard6m (adjoining residential/special purpose/Future Urban); 3m otherwise6m (adjoining residential/special purpose/Future Urban); 3m otherwiseNo requirement adjoining business zone; 3m adjoining residential3m (adjoining residential)3m (adjoining residential)—
Rear yard6m (adjoining residential/special purpose/Future Urban); 3m otherwise6m (adjoining residential/special purpose/Future Urban); 3m otherwiseNo requirement adjoining business zone; 3m adjoining residential3m (adjoining residential)3m (adjoining residential)—
Riparian yard10m from edge of permanent and intermittent streams10m from edge of permanent and intermittent streams10m from edge of permanent and intermittent streams10m from edge of permanent and intermittent streams10m from edge of permanent and intermittent streams—
Coastal protection yard25m from mean high water springs20m from mean high water springs10m from mean high water springs10m from mean high water springs10m from mean high water springs—
Gross floor area per building50m²100m² (50m² within Churchill Park only)150m²50m²300m²Maximum individual building size
Maximum site coverage1%10%30%5%50%Cumulative total building area per site
Maximum impervious areaLesser of 10% or 5,000m²Lesser of 10% or 5,000m²40%No limit70% (adjoining residential/Business Park/General Business); no limit (Business Mixed Use/centre zones)—
Outdoor storage/rubbish screening1.8m minimum height solid wall or fence1.8m minimum height solid wall or fence1.8m minimum height solid wall or fence1.8m minimum height solid wall or fence1.8m minimum height solid wall or fenceWhere visible from residential zone or opposite road
Non-security floodlighting (up to 18m)Permitted activity standards per Chapter E24Permitted activity standards per Chapter E24Permitted activity standards per Chapter E24Permitted activity standards per Chapter E24Permitted activity standards per Chapter E24—
Front boundary fences (≥50% transparent)PermittedPermittedPermittedPermittedPermitted—
Front boundary fences (<50% transparent)Restricted discretionaryRestricted discretionaryRestricted discretionaryRestricted discretionaryRestricted discretionary—
Maimai areaMax 10m²Max 10m²Max 10m²Max 10m²Max 10m²—
Maimai heightMax 3m above mean high water springs or ground levelMax 3m above mean high water springs or ground levelMax 3m above mean high water springs or ground levelMax 3m above mean high water springs or ground levelMax 3m above mean high water springs or ground level—

Permitted Activities

ActivityConservationInformal RecreationSport & Active RecreationCivic SpacesCommunity
Single workers' accommodationPPPNCP
Informal recreationPPPPP
Information facilities accessory to permitted activityPPPPP
Public amenitiesPPPPP
Recreation facilitiesNCDPDP
Gardens (botanic & community)PPPPP
Coastal navigational aidsPPPPP
Restaurants and cafes (accessory, >50m from residential)DRDPRDP
Retail accessory to permitted activityDPPPP
Conservation plantingPPPPP
Farming or grazing (as management programme)PPPNCNC
Customary usePPPPP
Accessory buildingsPPPPP
ArtworksPPPPP
Demolition of buildingsPPPPP
Internal additions and alterations to existing buildingsPPPPP
External additions to existing buildings (complying with standards)PPPPP
Buildings for public amenitiesPPPDP
New buildings (complying with standards)PPPPP
New buildings within Churchill Park (complying with standards)NADPNAP
Non-security floodlighting (up to 18m high)NCPPPNC
Fences on front boundary (≥50% transparent)PPPPP
Maimais (erection, use, alteration, maintenance, demolition)PNCNCNCNC
Observation areas, viewing platforms and related structuresRDPPPP
Parks infrastructurePPPPP
Parks maintenancePPPPP
Recreational trailsPPPPP
Education and research facilities directly related to open spacePPPPP

Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityConservationInformal RecreationSport & Active RecreationCivic SpacesCommunity
Visitor centresDDNCDP
Community centres and hallsNCDDDP
Early childhood learning servicesNCNCDNCP
Art galleries, arts and cultural centresNCDDDP
ClubroomsDDPNCP
GrandstandsNCNCRDNCNC
Organised sport and recreationNCRDPNCP
MarketsNCRDRDPP
Restaurants and cafes (accessory, within 50m of residential)DDRDDD
Retail not otherwise provided forNCDDDD
Parks depot, storage and maintenanceRDRDPNCNC
Non-security floodlighting (>18m high)NCRDRDRDNC
Fences on front boundary (<50% transparent)RDRDRDRDRD
Camping groundsDDNCNCNC
Visitor accommodation – huts and lodgesDDNCNCNC

Discretionary Activities

ActivityConservationInformal RecreationSport & Active RecreationCivic SpacesCommunity
Recreation facilitiesNCDPDP
Restaurants and cafes (accessory, >50m from residential)DRDPRDP

Other zones in Auckland