Coastal Environment

District plan rules for the Coastal Environment in Far North, New Zealand.

Summarised from the Far North 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.

Coastal Environment — Far North

General Coastal Zone

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8mPermitted activity standard
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 2m above ground levelMeasured inwards from site boundary
Site coverage10%Maximum proportion of gross site area
Front yard10mExcept sites <5,000m² = 3m
Permeable surface90% minimumInverse of 10% impermeable limit

Building Materials

RuleValueNotes
Colour and reflectivityBS5252 palette, ≤30% reflectanceOr natural materials within this range

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
New buildings not for human habitationPermitted
New buildings for human habitationPermitted
Alterations/additions to existing buildingsPermitted
Replacement buildingsPermitted
Renovation or maintenancePermitted

Residential Intensity

RuleValue
Residential density1 unit per 20ha

Scale of Activities

RuleValue
Maximum people on site4 persons or 1 per 1ha, whichever greater

Controlled Activities

ActivityCondition
Papakainga housingControlled activity with building envelope approval

Restricted Discretionary Activities (Criteria Apply)

StandardMaximum ValueNotes
Building height9mFor restricted discretionary
Site coverage15%For restricted discretionary stormwater management
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 3m above groundFor restricted discretionary, ≤25% of boundary length

Discretionary Activities

ActivityCondition
Residential units1 unit per 5,000m²
Integrated developmentMaori freehold/customary land and Crown Maori land only

Coastal Living Zone

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8mPermitted activity standard
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 2m above ground levelMeasured inwards from site boundary
Site coverage10% or 600m², whichever lesserMaximum impermeable surfaces
Front yard10mExcept sites <5,000m² = 3m
Permeable surface90% minimumInverse of coverage limit

Building Materials

RuleValueNotes
Colour and reflectivityBS5252 palette, ≤30% reflectanceOr natural materials within this range

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
New buildingsPermitted
Alterations/additionsPermitted
Replacement buildingsPermitted
Renovation or maintenancePermitted

Residential Intensity

RuleValue
Residential density1 unit per 4ha

Scale of Activities

RuleValue
Maximum people on site1 person per 2,000m² net site area

Non-Residential Activities

RuleValueNotes
Hours of operation50 hours/week maximum0700–2000 Mon–Fri, 0800–2000 Sat–Sun/holidays
Outdoor storage screening1.8–2.0m high2m minimum depth if landscaping
Keeping of animals50m from any boundary600m from Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township zones

Noise Standards

RuleValueNotes
Daytime noise (0700–2200)55 dBA L₁₀Measured at boundary of other sites
Night noise (2200–0700)45 dBA L₁₀With 70 dBA Lmax limit

Controlled Activities

ActivityCondition
Papakainga housing3,000m² exclusive per unit; restricted to building envelopes
Visual amenity (buildings)Within approved building envelope

Restricted Discretionary Activities (Criteria Apply)

StandardMaximum ValueNotes
Building height9mFor restricted discretionary
Site coverage15% or 1,500m², whichever lesserFor restricted discretionary stormwater
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 3m above groundFor restricted discretionary, ≤25% of boundary

Discretionary Activities

ActivityCondition
Residential units1 unit per 5,000m²
Integrated developmentMaori freehold/customary land and Crown Maori land only

Coastal Residential Zone

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8mPermitted activity standard
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 2m above ground levelUp to 10m exception at max 2.7m height
Site coverage50% or 1,000m², whichever lesserMaximum impermeable surfaces
Front yard3mFrom road boundaries
Side yard1.2m minimumExcept no setback for max 10m along any one boundary
Permeable surface50% minimumInverse of coverage limit

Building Materials

RuleValueNotes
Colour and reflectivityBS5252 palette, ≤30% reflectanceOr natural materials within this range

Building Coverage

RuleValue
Maximum building coverage45% or 900m², whichever lesser

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
Relocated buildingsPermitted
Any residential activityPermitted
Non-residential activitiesPermitted

Residential Intensity

RuleValue
Sewered sites800m² minimum net site area per unit
Unsewered sites3,000m² minimum net site area per unit

Scale of Activities

RuleValue
Sewered sites2 persons per 800m²
Unsewered sites2 persons per 3,000m²

Non-Residential Activities

RuleValueNotes
Maximum site area1,000m² (sewered); 5,000m² (unsewered)For activities other than residential
Hours of operation50 hours/week maximum0700–2000 Mon–Fri, 0800–2000 Sat–Sun/holidays
Outdoor storage screening1.8–2.0m high2m minimum depth if landscaping
Keeping of

Other zones in Far North