Residential - Mixed Housing Suburban Zone

District plan rules for the Residential - Mixed Housing Suburban 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 - Mixed Housing Suburban Zone — Auckland

Zone Description

The Residential – Mixed Housing Suburban Zone is the most widespread residential zone covering established suburbs and greenfields areas. Development is characterised by one to two storey buildings with landscaped gardens. The zone enables intensification while retaining suburban built character. Up to three dwellings are permitted as of right; four or more dwellings require resource consent.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8m50% of roof may exceed by 1m where entire roof slopes 15° or more
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 2.5m above groundSide and rear boundaries; exceptions apply to business zones and large open spaces
Alternative height in relation to boundary3.6m at side/rear boundaries within 20m of frontage; then 0.3m setback per 1m height to 6.9m, then 1m per 1m heightAlternative to standard recession plane
Front yard3m minimum
Side yard1m minimum
Rear yard1m minimum
Riparian yard10m from edge of permanent/intermittent streams
Lakeside yard30m
Coastal protection yard10m or as specified in Appendix 6
Maximum impervious area60% of site areaMaximum 10% within riparian, lakeside or coastal protection yards
Building coverage40% maximum of net site area
Landscaped area40% minimum of net site areaAt least 50% of front yard must be landscaped
Outlook space – principal living room6m depth × 4m width minimumFrom largest window
Outlook space – principal bedroom3m depth × 3m width minimum
Outlook space – other habitable rooms1m depth × 1m width minimum
Daylight – principal living/dining rooms and bedroomsHeight = 2 × horizontal distance between buildings55° arc from window centre, within same site
Outdoor living space – ground floor20m² minimumMinimum dimension 4m, gradient ≤ 1 in 20; or 5m² balcony/patio with 1.8m minimum dimension
Outdoor living space – above ground floor5m² (studio/1-bed) or 8m² (2+ bed) minimumBalcony/patio/roof terrace with 1.8m minimum dimension
Outdoor living space – sunlight separation2m + 0.9(h) from south-facing building wallsWhere h = height of wall/building
Front fences and walls1.4m maximum heightOr 1.8m for ≤50% of frontage; or 1.8m if ≥50% visually open
Side, rear, coastal, lakeside, riparian fences and walls2m maximum height
Minimum dwelling sizeNet internal floor area requirements applyBased on number of occupants (specific areas in standard)
Rainwater tanks3m maximum height in rear/side yardsMust discharge to existing stormwater system; underground installation required in 20m² outdoor living space

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatusStandards
Up to three dwellings per sitePBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Yards; Maximum impervious areas; Building coverage; Landscaped area; Outlook space; Daylight; Outdoor living space; Fences/walls
Conversion of principal dwelling (existing as at 30 Sept 2013) into max. 2 dwellingsPOutdoor living space 5m² (studio/1-bed) or 8m² (2+ bed); minimum 1.8m depth; directly accessible
Home occupations (complying with standard)PMax. 2 non-residents; 4 people total; no customer visits before 7am or after 7pm; ≤20 car trips/day; ≤2 heavy vehicles/week; ≤1 commercial vehicle on-site; goods manufactured/serviced/repaired stored within building; goods sold must be on-site produced, mail-ordered, or ancillary to service
Supported residential care up to 10 people per site (incl. staff & residents)PBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Yards; Maximum impervious areas; Building coverage; Landscaped area; Outlook space; Daylight; Outdoor living space; Fences/walls
Boarding houses up to 10 people per site (incl. staff & residents)PBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Yards; Maximum impervious areas; Building coverage; Landscaped area; Outlook space; Daylight; Outdoor living space; Fences/walls
Visitor accommodation up to 10 people per site (incl. staff & visitors)PBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Yards; Maximum impervious areas; Building coverage; Landscaped area; Fences/walls
Care centres up to 10 people per site (excl. staff)PBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Yards; Maximum impervious areas; Building coverage; Landscaped area; Fences/walls
Demolition of buildingsP
Internal and external alterations to buildingsPBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Yards; Maximum impervious areas; Building coverage; Landscaped area; Outlook space; Daylight; Outdoor living space; Fences/walls; Minimum dwelling size
Accessory buildingsPBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Yards; Maximum impervious areas; Building coverage
Additions to existing dwellingPBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Yards; Maximum impervious areas; Building coverage; Landscaped area; Outlook space; Daylight; Outdoor living space; Fences/walls; Minimum dwelling size
Grazing of livestock on sites >2,000m² net areaP
Marae complexD
Rainwater tanksPLocated per Standard H4.6.16

Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatusKey Standards/Matters of Discretion
Home occupations (non-complying with standard)D
Four or more dwellings per siteRDBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Alternative height in relation to boundary; Yards; and assessment of neighbourhood character, residential amenity, safety, building intensity, scale, traffic, parking, impervious areas, building coverage, landscaped area, outlook space, daylight, outdoor living space, fences/walls, dwelling size; infrastructure and servicing
Integrated Residential DevelopmentRDBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Alternative height in relation to boundary; Yards; assessment of neighbourhood character, residential amenity, building intensity, scale, traffic, parking, noise, lighting, hours of operation, impervious areas, building coverage, landscaped area, outlook space, daylight, outdoor living space, fences/walls, dwelling size; infrastructure and servicing
Supported residential care >10 people per site (incl. staff & residents)RDBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Alternative height in relation to boundary; Yards; neighbourhood character, residential amenity, building intensity, scale, traffic, parking, noise, lighting, hours of operation; infrastructure and servicing
Boarding houses >10 people per site (incl. staff & residents)RDBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Alternative height in relation to boundary; Yards; neighbourhood character, residential amenity, building intensity, scale, traffic, parking, noise, lighting, hours of operation; infrastructure and servicing
Visitor accommodation >10 people per site (incl. staff & visitors)RDBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Alternative height in relation to boundary; Yards; neighbourhood character, residential amenity, building intensity, scale, traffic, parking, noise, lighting, hours of operation; infrastructure and servicing
Care centres >10 people per site (excl. staff)RDBuilding height; Height in relation to boundary; Alternative height in relation to boundary; Yards; neighbourhood character, residential amenity, building intensity,

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