Rural Zones

District plan rules for the Rural Zones 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 Zones — Auckland

Overview

Auckland has five rural zones: Rural Production Zone, Mixed Rural Zone, Rural Coastal Zone, Rural Conservation Zone, and Countryside Living Zone. The Rural Coastal Zone includes seven designated area-specific zones with additional policies.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Dwelling and accessory building height9m maximumAll zones
Other buildings height15m maximumAll zones
Front yard setback10m minimumAll zones
Front yard setback (arterial roads)20m minimumAll zones
Side/rear yard setback (non-dwelling buildings)12m minimumAll zones
Side/rear yard setback (dwellings and accessory buildings)12m minimumAll zones
Side/rear yard setback (dwellings in Quarry Buffer Area Overlay)20m minimumAll zones
Riparian yard setback20m from edge of permanent/intermittent streamsAll zones
Lake yard setback30mAll zones
Coastal protection yard setback40–50mVaries by zone; 40m in Countryside Living, 50m in others
Buildings housing animals minimum separation distance12m from any site boundaryAll zones

Dwelling Standards

RuleValueNotes
Minor dwelling maximum floor area65m² excluding decks and garagingOne per site maximum
Minor dwelling minimum site size1 hectareAll zones
Minor dwelling setback requirementsMust comply with H19.10.2 and H19.10.3Height and yard standards apply
Minor dwelling accessMust share driveway with principal dwellingAll zones
Workers' accommodation minimum site size5 hectaresAll zones
Workers' accommodation maximum site size40 hectaresAll zones
Workers' accommodation maximum floor area120m² excluding decks and garagingSingle kitchen facility required
Workers' accommodationOne building per siteAll zones
Dwelling location restrictionNot on closed road or road severance allotmentAll zones

Home Occupation Standards

RuleValueNotes
Principal occupant requirementAt least one person engaged must reside in dwellingAll zones
Non-resident workersMaximum 2 personsAll zones
Guest accommodationMaximum 10 guests in existing dwellingExcept homestay accommodation
Customer/delivery hours7am–7pm dailyExcept homestay
Vehicle movementsMaximum 20 per dayAll zones
Heavy vehicle tripsMaximum 2 per weekAll zones
Commercial vehicles on siteMaximum 1 at any one timeAll zones
Storage and materialsMust be screened from public view and stored within buildingAll zones
Goods soldMust comply with H19.10.9 Produce Sales standardAll zones

Produce Sales Standards

RuleValueNotes
Display area (non-Countryside Living zones)30m² maximum per siteAll zones except Countryside Living
Display area (Countryside Living Zone)15m² maximum per siteCountryside Living Zone
Total area for produce sales100m² maximumLand, buildings, tables, structures combined
Permitted produce typesFruit, vegetables, plants, eggs, flowers, honey, dairy products, meat, wine, juices, on-site manufacturing products, handcraftsAll zones
Sourcing requirementMust be grown/produced on site or same landholder's siteAll zones
Location restrictionNot on road reserve; vehicle access not from State Highway or motorwayAll zones

Intensive Farming & Animal Standards

RuleValueNotes
Intensive farming building maximum size200m² gross floor areaAll zones
Intensive poultry farming building maximum size200m² gross floor areaAll zones
Animal breeding/boarding building maximum size200m² gross floor areaAll zones
Intensive farming minimum distance from dwelling250m from dwellings on other sitesAll zones
Intensive farming minimum distance from site boundary100m from any boundaryAll zones
Intensive farming effluent disposal minimum distance250m from dwellings on other sites; 100m from site boundaryAll zones
Animal breeding/boarding minimum site size2,000m²Rural Conservation, Rural Production, Mixed Rural, Rural Coastal Zones
Cats breeding/boarding maximum20 at any one timeAll zones
Dogs breeding/boardingProhibitedAll zones
Domestic pets breeding/boarding (excluding cats/dogs)25 maximum at any one timeAll zones
Animal breeding/boarding separation distance20m minimum from adjoining site boundaryAll zones

Free-Range Poultry Farming Standards

RuleValueNotes
Coops and hard stand area setback20m minimum from nearest site boundaryAll zones

Non-Residential Waste & Composting Standards

RuleValueNotes
Distance from Countryside Living/Future Urban/Residential zone boundary100m minimumAll zones
Distance from other rural zone boundaries20m minimumAll zones

Forestry Standards

RuleValueNotes
Distance from adjoining site boundary10m minimumUnless landowner controls both sites or adjoining site is SEA or already afforested
Distance from permanent stream/river/lake/wetland/coastal edge5m minimum from bankAll zones
Distance from Significant Ecological Areas Overlay5m minimumAll zones
Portable sawmill on-site durationMaximum 6 months in any 12-month periodAll zones

Quarry Standards

RuleValueNotes
Distance from lake/river/stream edge50m minimumAll zones
Distance from wetland >1,000m²50m minimumAll zones
Distance from foredune100m either sideAll zones
Distance from coastal marine area100m landwardAll zones

Mineral Prospecting & Exploration Standards

RuleValueNotes
BlastingProhibitedAll zones
Operating hours7am–10pm dailyAll zones

Markets Standards

RuleValueNotes
Minimum site size1 hectareAll zones
Rear site locationProhibitedAll zones
Permitted salesFood, beverages, agricultural/horticultural produce, handcraftsAll zones
Operating hours7am–7pm dailyAll zones

Rainwater Tank Standards

RuleValueNotes
Riparian/lakeside/coastal protection yard locationProhibited unless <1m height or wholly below groundAll zones
Front yard locationMinimum 1.5m from front boundary; maximum 1m heightAll zones
Colour requirement (Rural Coastal Zone)Recessive natural colour (green, brown, grey) unless below ground or fully screenedRural Coastal Zone only
Overflow dischargeMust discharge to existing authorised stormwater systemAll zones
Effluent dispersal areaCannot locate on or outflow across existing dispersal areaAll zones

Permitted Activities by Zone

ActivityRural ProductionMixed RuralRural CoastalRural ConservationCountryside Living
FarmingPPPPP
Rural airstripsPPPPP
Greenhouses (compliant)PPPRDRD
Intensive farming (compliant)PPPNCNC
Disposal of non-residential waste/composting (compliant)PPPPP
ForestryPDPPP
Conservation plantingPPPPP
Produce salesPP

Other zones in Auckland