Rural - Rural Production Zone

District plan rules for the Rural - Rural Production 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.

Rural - Rural Production Zone — Auckland

Zone Purpose

The Rural – Rural Production Zone provides for the use and development of land for rural production activities and rural industries and services, while maintaining rural character and amenity values.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Dwelling and accessory building maximum height9m—
Other buildings maximum height15m—
Front yard setback (standard sites)10m—
Front yard setback (arterial roads)20m—
Side or rear yard setback (dwellings and accessory buildings)12m—
Side or rear yard setback (other buildings)12m—
Riparian yard setback20mFrom edge of permanent and intermittent streams
Coastal protection yard setback50m—
Buildings housing animals minimum separation distance12mFrom site boundary
Non-residential waste/composting setback20mFrom adjoining site boundaries in rural zones
Intensive farming/poultry effluent setback250mFrom any dwelling on other sites
Intensive farming/poultry effluent setback (boundary)100mFrom site boundary
Free-range poultry coops setback20mFrom nearest site boundary
Forestry minimum distance from site boundary10mUnless landowner also owns adjoining site or it is SEA or afforested
Forestry minimum distance from permanent water5mFrom bank of stream, river, lake, wetland, or coastal edge
Forestry minimum distance from SEA5m—
Portable sawmill location duration6 monthsPer 12-month period maximum
Quarries – farm or forestry minimum distance from lake/river/stream50mFrom edge
Quarries – farm or forestry minimum distance from wetland50mFrom edge (wetland larger than 1,000m²)
Quarries – farm or forestry minimum distance from foredune100mEither side
Quarries – farm or forestry minimum distance from coastal marine area100mLandward
Mineral prospecting/exploration permitted hours7am–10pm—
Rainwater tank minimum height (front yard)1.5mFrom front boundary
Rainwater tank maximum height (front yard unless underground)1m—

Building Size Standards

ActivityMaximum Gross Floor AreaNotes
Intensive farming, intensive poultry farming, animal breeding/boarding, produce sales200m²—
On-site primary produce manufacturing500m²—

Permitted Activities (P)

ActivityStatus
FarmingP
Rural airstripsP
GreenhousesP
Intensive farmingP
Intensive poultry farming (compliant with Standard H19.10.1(3))P
Free-range poultry farming (compliant with Standard H19.10.6(1))P
Disposal of non-residential waste or composting (compliant with Standards H19.10.1(1) and (2))P
ForestryP
Conservation plantingP
Produce salesP
On-site primary produce manufacturingP
Quarries – farm or forestryP
Care centres for up to 10 peopleP
Information facilitiesP
ArtworksP
Informal recreationP
Customary useP
Demolition of buildingsP
Additions and alterations to existing buildingsP
Rainwater tankP
Mineral prospectingP
Mineral explorationP
Navigational aidsP
Home occupationsP
One dwelling per siteP
Two dwellings per site (40ha–100ha)P
Three dwellings per site (≥100ha)P

Restricted Discretionary Activities (RD)

ActivityStatus
Post-harvest facilitiesRD
Greenhouses (conditional)RD
Free-range poultry farming (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.6(1))D
Rural commercial servicesRD
Animal breeding or boarding (compliant with Standard H19.10.8)P
Animal breeding or boarding (non-compliant)D
Produce sales (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.9)D
Rural industriesRD
Equestrian centresRD
Quarries – farm or forestry (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.15)D
Minor dwellingsRD
Workers' accommodationRD
Camping groundsRD
Restaurants and cafes accessory to farming on same siteRD
Restaurants and cafes not otherwise provided forD
Garden centresRD
MarketsP
Markets (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.14)D
Storage and lock-up facilitiesD
Show homesD
Veterinary clinicsRD
Rural tourist and visitor activitiesD
Care centres for more than 10 peopleRD
Community facilitiesD
Healthcare facilitiesD
Education facilitiesD
Organised sport and recreationRD
Emergency servicesRD
ClubroomsRD
UrupāD
MaraeD
Mineral extraction activitiesD
CleanfillD
Managed fillD
Boat launching facilitiesD

Prohibited Activities (Pr)

ActivityStatus
Mustelid farmingPr

Not Complying Activities (NC)

ActivityStatus
Intensive poultry farming (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.1(3))D
Free-range poultry farming (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.6(1))D
Disposal of non-residential waste or composting (non-compliant)D
Forestry (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.7)D
Mineral prospecting (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.16)D
Mineral exploration (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.16)D
Minor dwellings (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.11)NC
Workers' accommodation (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.12)NC
Home occupations (non-compliant with Standard H19.10.13)NC
LandfillNC
Two dwellings per site (if <40ha)NC
Three or more dwellings per site (if <100ha)NC
Dwellings not otherwise provided for or non-compliant with Standard H19.10.10NC

Dwelling Subdivision Standards

RuleValueNotes
Subdivision of minor dwelling from principal dwelling sitePrProhibited as subdivision
Subdivision of workers' accommodation from principal dwelling sitePrProhibited as subdivision

Minor Dwelling Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum number per site1—
Minimum site size>1ha—
Maximum floor area65m²Excluding decks and garaging
Shared access requirementYesMust share driveway with principal dwelling
Height compliance9mComply with zone standards
Yard setback complianceRequiredComply with H19.10.2 and H19.10.3

Workers' Accommodation Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum number per site1 building—
Minimum site size5ha—

Other zones in Auckland