General Residential

District plan rules for the General Residential 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.

General Residential — Far North

Objectives

ObjectiveDescription
GRZ-O1The General Residential zone provides a variety of densities, housing types and lot sizes that respond to: housing needs and demand; the adequacy and capacity of available or programmed development infrastructure; the amenity and character of the receiving residential environment; and historic heritage.
GRZ-O2The General Residential zone consolidates urban residential development around available or programmed development infrastructure to improve the function and resilience of the receiving residential environment while reducing urban sprawl.
GRZ-O3Non-residential activities contribute to the well-being of the community while complementing the scale, character and amenity of the General Residential zone.
GRZ-O4Land use and subdivision in the General Residential zone is supported where there is adequacy and capacity of available or programmed development infrastructure.
GRZ-O5Land use and subdivision in the General Residential zone provides communities with functional and high amenity living environments.
GRZ-O6Residential communities are resilient to changes in climate and are responsive to changes in sustainable development techniques.

Policies

PolicyDescription
GRZ-P1Enable land use and subdivision in the General Residential zone where: there is adequacy and capacity of available or programmed development infrastructure to support it; and it is consistent with the scale, character and amenity anticipated in the residential environment.
GRZ-P2Require all subdivision in the General Residential zone to provide the following reticulated services to the boundary of each lot: telecommunications (fibre where available; copper where fibre not available); local electricity distribution network; and wastewater, potable water and stormwater where available.
GRZ-P3Enable multi-unit developments within the General Residential zone, including terraced housing and apartments, where there is adequacy and capacity of available or programmed development infrastructure.
GRZ-P4Enable non-residential activities that: do not detract from the vitality and viability of the Mixed Use zone; support the social and economic well-being of the community; are of a residential scale; and are consistent with the scale, character and amenity of the General Residential zone.
GRZ-P5Provide for retirement villages where they: compliment the character and amenity values of the surrounding area; contribute to the diverse needs of the community; do not adversely affect road safety or the efficiency of the transport network; and can be serviced by adequate development infrastructure.
GRZ-P6Encourage and support the use of on-site water storage to enable sustainable and efficient use of water resources.
GRZ-P7Encourage energy efficient design and the use of small-scale renewable electricity generation in the construction of residential development.
GRZ-P8Manage land use and subdivision to address the effects of the activity requiring resource consent, including consistency with scale, design, amenity and character of the residential environment; location, scale and design of buildings; potential for shadowing and visual dominance; outdoor living space provision; privacy for adjoining sites; access to sunlight; for non-residential activities: scale and compatibility with residential activities; hours of operation; at zone interfaces: setbacks, fencing, screening or landscaping; adequacy and capacity of available or programmed development infrastructure; opportunities for low impact design principles; ability of the site to address stormwater and soakage; managing natural hazards; and any historical, spiritual, or cultural association held by tangata whenua.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8m above ground levelSolar/water heating, chimney, satellite/aerial and architectural features exempt
Height in relation to boundaryRecession planes: 55° at 2m (north); 45° at 2m (east/west); 35° at 2m (south)Exception: max 10m along any non-road boundary at 2.7m max height
Setback from boundaries (general)1.2m from all site boundariesFences/walls ≤2m and uncovered decks ≤0.5m exempt
Setback from road boundary3mFences/walls ≤2m and uncovered decks ≤0.5m exempt
Setback from MHWS26m
Façade lengthRecess required where façade exceeds 20m along road or public landRecess: minimum 1m depth × 2m length, full wall height, with break in eave and roofline
Outdoor living space (ground floor)50m² minimum with 5m minimum dimensionMust be north, east or west oriented; directly accessible from habitable room; free of buildings, storage, parking, manoeuvring areas
Outdoor living space (non-ground floor)8m² minimum with 2m minimum dimensionMust be north, east or west oriented; directly accessible from habitable room
Outdoor storageFully screened by solid fence/wall minimum 1.8m heightNot visible from adjoining sites or public land
Impermeable surface coverageMaximum 50%Applies to gross site area for multi-unit developments or retirement villages

Permitted Activities

ActivityRuleRequirements
New buildings, structures, extensions or alterationsGRZ-R1Must accommodate permitted or controlled activity; must comply with GRZ-S1, GRZ-S2, GRZ-S3, GRZ-S5, GRZ-S6, GRZ-S7
Impermeable surface coverageGRZ-R2Maximum 50% of site
Residential activity (standalone residential units)GRZ-R3Maximum one standalone residential unit per site; site must not contain multi-unit development
Visitor accommodationGRZ-R4Must be within residential unit or accessory building; maximum 6 guests per night; site must not share access with another site
Home businessGRZ-R5Must be within residential unit or accessory building ≤40m² GFA; maximum one full-time equivalent off-site resident; all manufacturing/altering/repairing/dismantling/processing within building; hours 7am–8pm Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm weekends/public holidays
Educational facilityGRZ-R6Must be within residential unit or accessory building; maximum 4 students at one time (excluding on-site residents)
Supported residential careGRZ-R7Must be within residential unit or accessory building; maximum 6 occupants

Controlled Activities

ActivityRuleConditionsMatters of Control
Residential activity (multi-unit development)GRZ-R9Minimum site area 600m²; maximum 3 residential units per site; no standalone residential units on site; minimum net internal floor area per unit: 1 bed = 45m², 2 bed = 62m², 3 bed = 82m²Effects on neighbourhood character, residential amenity and surrounding area from building intensity, scale, location, form and appearance; location and design of parking and access; location of outdoor living space in relation to neighbouring sites

Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityRuleRequirementsMatters of Discretion
Retirement villageGRZ-R10Must comply with GRZ-S1, GRZ-S2, GRZ-S3, GRZ-S4, GRZ-S5, GRZ-S6, GRZ-S7Safe integration of vehicle and pedestrian access with adjoining road network; provision of landscaping and bunding, on-site amenity for residents, recreational facilities and stormwater systems; design and layout of pedestrian circulation; residential amenity for surrounding sites in respect of outlook and privacy; visual quality and interest in form and layout including buildings, fencing, location and scale of utility areas and external storage areas; benefits of provision of elderly accommodation
Conservation activityGRZ-R8

Discretionary Activities

ActivityRule
Home business (non-compliance)GRZ-R5
Minor residential unitGRZ-R11
Community facilityGRZ-R12

Other zones in Far North