Residential - Low Density Residential Zone

District plan rules for the Residential - Low Density Residential 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.

Residential - Single House Zone (H3) — Auckland

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum building height8m50% of roof may exceed by 1m where roof slopes ≥15°
Height in relation to boundary45-degree recession plane from 2.5m above groundSide and rear boundaries only
Front yard setback3m minimum
Side yard setback1m minimum
Rear yard setback1m minimum
Riparian yard setback10m from edge of permanent/intermittent streams
Lakeside yard setback30m
Coastal protection yard setback10m or as specified in Appendix 6
Maximum building coverage35% of net site area
Minimum landscaped area40% of net site area50% of front yard must be landscaped
Maximum impervious area60% of site area
Maximum impervious area in riparian/lakeside/coastal yards10% of yard area
Front fence/wall maximum height1.4mOr 1.8m for max 50% of frontage; or 1.8m if ≥50% visually open
Side/rear/coastal/lakeside/riparian fence maximum height2m
Gable end/dormer projections beyond recession planeMax 1.5m² and 1m heightMax 2.5m cumulative length; max 2 per 6m boundary

Permitted Activities (P)

ActivityStandards
One dwelling per siteH3.6.6–H3.6.12 (all building standards)
Conversion of principal dwelling (existing pre-30 Sept 2013) to max 2 dwellingsH3.6.3 (outdoor living space requirements)
Minor dwellingsH3.6.4, H3.6.6–H3.6.12
Home occupationsH3.6.2 (home occupation specific rules)
Supported residential care (≤10 people incl. staff/residents)H3.6.6–H3.6.12
Boarding houses (≤10 people incl. staff/residents)H3.6.6–H3.6.12
Visitor accommodation (≤10 people incl. staff/visitors)H3.6.6–H3.6.12
Offices within Centre Fringe Office ControlStandard H3.6.5
Care centres (≤10 people excl. staff)H3.6.6–H3.6.12
Healthcare facilities (≤200m² GFA)H3.6.6–H3.6.12
Grazing of livestock (sites >2,000m² net)
Demolition of buildings
Internal/external building alterationsH3.6.6–H3.6.12
Accessory buildingsH3.6.6, H3.6.7, H3.6.8, H3.6.9, H3.6.10
Additions to existing dwellingH3.6.6–H3.6.12
Rainwater tanksH3.6.13

Restricted Discretionary Activities (RD)

ActivityMatters of Discretion
Home occupations not meeting Standard H3.6.2Building intensity, scale, location, form, appearance; traffic; parking/access; noise, lighting, hours of operation
Dairies (≤100m² GFA)Building intensity, scale, location, form, appearance; traffic; parking/access; noise, lighting, hours of operation
Healthcare facilities (≤200m² GFA)Building intensity, scale, location, form, appearance; traffic; parking/access; noise, lighting, hours of operation
Buildings not complying with H3.6.6–H3.6.12 standardsPolicy alignment; standard purpose; infringement effects; suburban character effects; neighbour amenity effects; site characteristics; development characteristics

Discretionary Activities (D)

Activity
Camping grounds
Supported residential care (>10 people incl. staff/residents)
Boarding houses (>10 people incl. staff/residents)
Visitor accommodation (>10 people incl. staff/visitors)
Restaurants and cafes (≤100m² GFA)
Service stations on arterial roads
Offices within Centre Fringe Office Control (non-compliant with H3.6.5)
Care centres (>10 people excl. staff)
Community facilities
Education facilities
Tertiary education facilities
Emergency services adjoining arterial road
Veterinary clinics
Integrated Residential Development
Marae

Home Occupation Specific Standards (H3.6.2)

RuleValueNotes
Minimum residents1 person engaging in occupation must use dwelling as principal residence
Maximum non-resident workers2 people
Maximum total workers4 people
Customer visits/deliveries hours7am–7pmSales of goods/services requiring site visits
Maximum car trips20 per dayTo/from occupation
Maximum heavy vehicle trips2 per week
Commercial vehicles on siteMaximum 1 at any time
Goods manufacturing/storageMust occur within building on site
Goods sold typesGoods produced on-site; goods ordered by mail/electronic transaction; goods ancillary to service provided

Dwelling Conversion & Minor Dwelling Standards

RuleValueNotes
Minor dwelling maximum floor area65m²Excluding decks and garaging
Minor dwellings per siteMaximum 1
Outdoor living space (studio/1-bedroom)Minimum 5m²At least 1.8m depth; directly accessible
Outdoor living space (2+ bedrooms)Minimum 8m²At least 1.8m depth; directly accessible

Rainwater Tank Standards (H3.6.13)

RuleValueNotes
Location in riparian/lakeside/coastal yards<1m height or wholly below ground
Location in front yardMin 1.5m from front boundary; max 1m height
Maximum height (rear/side yards)3mExcluding pipework
Overflow dischargeMust discharge to existing authorised stormwater system

Non-Compliant & Prohibited Activities

ActivityStatus
Activities not provided forNot Complying (NC)
More than one dwelling per site (excl. conversions/minor dwellings)Not Complying (NC)
Healthcare facilities (>200m² GFA)Not Complying (NC)

Notification Rules (H3.5)

Rule
Applications for fences/walls not complying with H3.6.12(1a) considered without public/limited notification unless special circumstances exist
All other activity applications subject to standard RMA notification tests

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