Natural Open Space

District plan rules for the Natural Open Space 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.

Natural Open Space — Far North

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8m above ground levelExcludes solar/water heating (max +0.5m), chimneys (max 1.2m wide, 1m high), satellite dishes/aerials (max 1m), architectural features (max 1m)
Height in relation to boundary55° recession plane at northern boundary; 45° at eastern/western; 35° at southernAll measured at 2m above ground level; same exemptions as maximum height
Setbacks (from boundaries)10m minimumDoes not apply to fences/walls ≤2m or uncovered decks <0.5m
Setbacks from MHWS26m minimum
Building or structure coverage8% or 800m², whichever is lesser
Impermeable surface coverage10% or 1,000m², whichever is lesser

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatusConditions
New building or structure; extension or alteration to existing building/structurePermittedMust accommodate permitted activity and comply with standards NOSZ-S1 through NOSZ-S5
Conservation activityPermitted
Maintenance of existing tracksPermittedMust be directly for or ancillary to conservation activities of site
Leisure activity or leisure facilityPermitted
Vegetation plantingPermittedIndigenous species preferred
Park management activityPermittedMust be directly for or ancillary to conservation activities of site
Customary activityPermitted
Visitor accommodationPermitted
Educational facilityPermitted
Camping groundPermitted
Community facilityPermitted
FarmingPermittedMust not include offensive trade

Non-Complying Activities

ActivityStatus
Activities not otherwise listed in this chapterNon-complying
Commercial activityNon-complying
Residential activityNon-complying
Industrial activityNon-complying
Motorsport activityNon-complying
Mineral extraction activityNon-complying
Offensive TradeNon-complying
Commercial compostingNon-complying
Community correction facilityNon-complying
LandfillNon-complying

Key Zone Objectives & Policies

Objectives:

  • NOSZ-O1: Ecological, historic heritage, cultural and natural character values are protected and enhanced
  • NOSZ-O2: Land use complements conservation values
  • NOSZ-O3: Natural open spaces accessible to public for leisure and customary activities

Policies:

  • NOSZ-P1: Enable land use that conserves, protects and enhances natural, ecological, historic heritage, cultural and natural character values
  • NOSZ-P2: Provide for leisure and customary activities complementary to zone values
  • NOSZ-P3: Avoid land use and subdivision incompatible with zone values
  • NOSZ-P4: Manage activity effects considering scale, design, character, reserve management plans, public access, natural hazards, heritage/biodiversity values, and tangata whenua associations

Other zones in Far North