Commercial

District plan rules for the Commercial 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.

Commercial — Far North

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum heightNot specified in evidenceZone-specific rules apply
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 2m above ground levelAt boundaries adjoining Residential, Coastal Residential, Russell Township, Rural Living or Coastal Living zones
Site coverageNot specifiedZone-specific rules apply
Setback from State Highways and arterial roads2m minimumBuilding setback only

Parking & Access Standards

RuleValueNotes
On-site car parking spacesPer Appendix 3CRequired when activity establishes, changes, or buildings altered
Exemption — Commercial Zone parkingNo additional spaces requiredWhere gross business area not increased and activity change only
Williams Road Car Park, Paihia minimum spaces221 total (158 public minimum)Lot 34 DP 11040, Lot 2 DP 477161, Pt Lot 2 DP 83548
Kerikeri Road car parking setback2m minimum from Kerikeri Road boundaryPublic on-site spaces prohibited within 2m of road
Accessible car parking spaces — 20 or fewer spaces1 accessible spaceAt ratio per NZS 4121
Accessible car parking spaces — 21–50 spaces2 accessible spacesAt ratio per NZS 4121
Accessible car parking spaces — over 50 spaces1 additional per 50 spacesAt ratio per NZS 4121
Accessible space dimensions3.5m wide × 5m deep minimumConnected to accessible route at closest building entrance
Car parking space sizePer Appendix 3DIncludes manoeuvring space and circulation routes
Stacked parkingPermitted for one of two spacesAssociated with specific residential unit
Loading spaces — up to 200m² GFANo loading space requiredBuilding Gross Floor Area
Loading spaces — 200–500m² GFA1 loading space6m long × 3m wide × 3.2m high minimum (courier vans); larger for other trucks
Loading spaces — 500–5,000m² GFA2 loading spacesSized to accommodate largest expected truck
Loading spaces — over 5,000m² GFA3 loading spacesSized to accommodate largest expected truck
Private accessway width — Commercial Zone one-way3m (entry) to 4m (road to parking)Minimum overhead clearance 4.2m
Private accessway width — Commercial Zone two-way6m (entry) to 7m (road to parking)Minimum overhead clearance 4.2m
Private accessway width — Commercial Zone service stationsMaximum 9mMinimum overhead clearance 4.2m
Maximum private accessway gradient — Commercial Zone1:20 adjacent to road boundaryFor length of at least 6m
Access crossing width — Commercial activities6m maximumExcept service stations/supermarkets (9m)

Traffic & Access

RuleValueNotes
Traffic intensity thresholdZone-specific (Appendix 3A)Commercial, Industrial, Horticultural Processing, Orongo Bay zones
Access restrictions — intersection proximity arterial/collector90m minimumFrom intersection with arterial or collector road
Access restrictions — intersection proximity arterial to local30m minimumFrom intersection with arterial or collector road
Access restrictions — Kerikeri RoadNo access permittedBoth sides between Maraenui Drive and Cannon Drive (except lawfully established access as at 6 Sept 2001)
Kerikeri Inlet Road access — Lot 1 DP 404507 or Lot 1 DP 181291Single crossing 30m from adjoining boundaryMinimum 115m visibility in each direction
Access cannot be ontoState Highways, Limited Access RoadsSpecific restrictions apply

Cycling Facilities

RuleValueNotes
Bicycle parking substitutionMaximum 50% of required car spacesEach space substituted by 2 bicycle parks
Green space substitutionMaximum 50% of required car spacesEach space substituted by 12m² landscaped green space

Noise Standards

RuleValueNotes
Noise at other Commercial/Industrial sites — daytime65 dBA L₁₀0700–2200 hours
Noise at other Commercial/Industrial sites — nighttime55 dBA L₁₀, 80 dBA Lmax2200–0700 hours
Noise at Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township — daytime55 dBA L₁₀0700–2200 hours
Noise at Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township — nighttime45 dBA L₁₀, 70 dBA Lmax2200–0700 hours
Noise measurement standardNZS 6801:1991Measurement of Sound
Noise assessment standardNZS 6802:1991Assessment of Environmental Sound
Construction noise standardNZS 6803P:1984Measurement and Assessment of Noise from Construction, Maintenance and Demolition Work

Visual Amenity & Environmental Protection

RuleValueNotes
Screening height — outdoor activities adjacent non-Commercial/Industrial zones1.8–2.0mLandscaping, walls, or fences; landscaping minimum 1.8m height over 2m depth
Road frontage landscapingMinimum 50%Between road boundary and parallel line 6m therefrom, where not occupied by buildings
Landscaping durationFor life of activityMust be maintained; replacement required if diseased or damaged

Setbacks from Waterways

RuleValueNotes
Setback from large lakes, rivers, coastal marine area20m minimumOr as specified in Rule 12.7.6.1.1
Setback from smaller lakes3 × lake area (ha); minimum 10mOr as specified in Rule 12.7.6.1.2
Setback from rivers10 × average width; minimum 10mOr as specified in Rule 12.7.6.1.2
Setback from wetlands30m minimumIf 1ha or more in area

Activity Status

Activity CategoryStatus
Most commercial activitiesPermitted if complying with standards
Activities not complying with permitted standardsControlled, Restricted Discretionary, or Discretionary depending on which standard(s) breached
Helicopter landing areas within 200m of Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township/Point Veronica zonesDiscretionary

Engineering Standards

RuleValueNotes
Private accessway design standardCouncil's "Engineering Standards and Guidelines" (June 2004 – Revised 2009)Must comply with relevant appendices
Service lanes, cycleways, pedestrian accesswaysCouncil's "Engineering Standards and Guidelines" (June 2004 – Revised 2009)Required for subdivision applications
New road design standardCouncil's "Engineering Standards and Guidelines" (June 2004 – Revised 2009)Required for subdivision applications
Frontage to existing roadsCouncil's "Engineering Standards and Guidelines" (June 2004 – Revised 2009)Remedial measures as necessary

Cross-Zone Provisions Applied to Commercial

RuleValueNotes
Natural and Physical ResourcesChapter 12 appliesEarthworks, hazardous substances, air quality, etc.
SubdivisionChapter 13 appliesLot creation and consolidation rules
Financial ContributionsChapter 14 appliesFor infrastructure requirements
TransportationChapter 15 appliesFull traffic, parking, access rules (referenced throughout)
Signs and LightingChapter

Other zones in Far North