Heavy Industrial

District plan rules for the Heavy Industrial 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.

Heavy Industrial — Far North

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height (Opua only)12mRestriction applies only to Opua (Map 92)
Maximum height (elsewhere)No specific limitSubject to recession plane and other controls
Sunlight — recession plane45° inward from 2m above ground levelMeasured from nearest boundary adjoining Residential, Coastal Residential, Russell Township, Rural Living or Coastal Living zones
Setback from State Highways and arterial roads2m minimumDoes not apply to below-ground wastewater disposal systems

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
Industrial activities complying with all standards (Rules 7.8.5.1.1–7.8.5.1.10)Permitted
Helicopter landing areaPermitted if ≥200m from Residential, Coastal Residential, Russell Township or Point Veronica Zone boundaries

Controlled Activities

ActivityStatusConditions
Activities breaching only one of: Sunlight (7.8.5.1.1), Transportation (7.8.5.1.4), or Stormwater (7.8.5.1.9)ControlledMust comply with controlled activity standards 7.8.5.2.1–7.8.5.2.3

Controlled Activity Standards

RuleValueNotes
Sunlight — recession plane45° inward from 3m above ground levelMeasured from nearest boundary adjoining Residential, Coastal Residential, Russell Township, Coastal Living or Rural Living zones
Stormwater piped connection600mm minimum into net allotment areaRequired where disposal by piping to approved outfall
Stormwater managementDesigned to prevent contaminants entering dischargeMust avoid entrainment of stored/used site contaminants unless through interceptor system
Stormwater site managementContaminant concentration must not pose hazard to human health or environmentReference: TP10 Stormwater Management Devices Design Guidelines Manual (ARC 2003)

Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatusBreach Triggers
Activities breaching Visual Amenity, Noise Mitigation for Residential, Noise, Setback from Boundaries, Sunlight, or Transportation rulesRestricted DiscretionaryMust still comply with all other permitted and controlled activity rules

Restricted Discretionary Assessment Matters

RuleAssessment Matters
Visual Amenity & Environmental Protection (7.8.5.1.2)(a) Visual effect on nearby properties; (b) Scale, nature and maintenance of landscaping
Noise Mitigation for Residential Activities (7.8.5.1.3)(a) Degree of noise attenuation achieved; (b) Hours of operation of adjoining noise-generating activity; (c) Timing and duration of noise from adjoining sites
Noise (7.8.5.1.6)(a) Character, level and duration of noise at boundary/notional boundary; (b) Hours of operation in relation to surrounding environment; (c) Effectiveness of noise mitigation measures
Setback from Boundaries (7.8.5.1.7)(a) Reduction of outlook/privacy on adjacent properties; (b) Restriction of vehicle access/egress visibility; (c) Mitigation ability (e.g. planting); (d) Provision for building maintenance/construction within site boundaries; (e) Impact on adjoining esplanade reserves, strips and coastal marine areas
Sunlight (7.8.5.2.1)Same assessment matters as 7.8.5.2.1 (specific matters not detailed in evidence)

Noise Standards

RuleLimitHoursNotes
Noise within Industrial Zone65 dBA L100700–2200Measured at any point within another site in the zone
Noise within Industrial Zone55 dBA L10 + 80 dBA Lmax2200–0700Measured at any point within another site in the zone
Noise at Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township boundaries55 dBA L100700–2200Measured at site boundary or notional boundary of dwelling
Noise at Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township boundaries45 dBA L10 + 70 dBA Lmax2200–0700Measured at site boundary or notional boundary of dwelling
Construction noisePer NZS 6803P:1984 limitsAll hoursMeasurement and assessment per NZS 6803P:1984

Measurement Standard: NZS 6801:1991 "Measurement of Sound"; Assessment: NZS 6802:1991 "Assessment of Environmental Sound". Notional boundary definition: 20m from any dwelling or legal boundary (whichever closer).

Visual Amenity & Screening

RuleStandardNotes
Outdoor area screening1.8–2.0m height structures or vegetation stripRequired along boundaries adjoining non-Commercial/Industrial zones; applies to parking, loading, outdoor storage, outdoor activities
Landscaping depth (vegetation)2m minimumWhere screening by landscaping
Landscaping height (vegetation)1.8m minimum attainment heightVegetation must be maintained; dead/diseased plants must be replaced
Frontage landscaping≥50% of land between road boundary and 6m parallel lineWhere not occupied by buildings

Noise Mitigation for Residential Activities (Permitted Standard)

RuleStandardNotes
Living room noise attenuation≥20 dBBetween any boundary and living room
Sleeping room noise attenuation≥30 dBBetween any boundary and any sleeping room
Window conditionAchievable with exterior windows openIn absence of forced ventilation/air-conditioning
DocumentationAcoustic design report requiredPrepared by suitably qualified/experienced person; required before Certificate of Compliance under s139

Keeping of Animals

RuleStatus
Factory farmingProhibited
Boarding or breeding kennelsProhibited
CatteriesProhibited

Stormwater (Permitted Activity Standard)

RuleStandardNotes
Stormwater disposal requirementActivity must be within existing consented urban stormwater management plan or discharge consentApplies to roof and new impervious surface drainage

Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatus
Activities not complying with any permitted, controlled or restricted discretionary standardsDiscretionary
Helicopter landing area within 200m of Residential, Coastal Residential, Russell Township or Point Veronica Zone boundariesDiscretionary

Non-Complying Activities

ActivityStatus
Activities not complying with discretionary activity standardsNon-Complying

District-Wide Provisions Cross-Reference

Activities must also comply with:

  • Chapter 12: Natural and Physical Resources (including District Plan Maps); Section 12.8 Hazardous Substances
  • Chapter 13: Subdivision
  • Chapter 14: Financial Contributions
  • Chapter 15: Transportation (Traffic, Parking and Access)
  • Chapter 16: Signs and Lighting
  • Chapter 17: Designations and Utility Services (and Zone Maps)

Policies

PolicyDirective
7.8.4.1Industrial Zone applied to areas where industry is significant and expansion/intensification can occur without environmental damage
7.8.4.2Range of activities limited only by acceptability of effects in relation to other zone activities
7.8.4.3Standards protect visual/environmental amenity within Industrial Zone and adjacent zones
7.8.4.4All activities provide stormwater disposal incorporating Low Impact Design principles (car parks

Other zones in Far North