Settlement — Far North
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height | 8m above ground level | Excludes solar/water heating (0.5m), chimneys (1.2m × 1m), architectural features (1m) |
| Height in relation to boundary | 55° at 2m (north); 45° at 2m (east/west); 35° at 2m (south) | Recession planes measured inward from boundary |
| Setback (general) | 1.2m from all boundaries | Excludes uncovered decks <1m, underground infrastructure, water tanks <2.7m, or 10m max exceedance along one boundary |
| Setback from Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) | 26m | For buildings or structures |
| Outdoor living space | 50m² at ground level, minimum 5m dimension OR 8m² (minimum 2m) if not ground floor | Must be directly accessible from habitable room; free of buildings/storage/parking; north/east/west oriented |
| Impermeable surface coverage | 35% or 600m² (whichever is lesser) | Permits discretionary consideration if exceeded |
Residential Activities
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| New residential unit (single) | Permitted | On site <3,000m² (one unit exempted) |
| Residential activity (multi-unit) | Discretionary | Site area minimum 1,500m² per unit |
| Minor residential unit | Discretionary | Maximum 1 per site; max 65m² GFA (+18m² optional garage/carport); 15m separation from principal unit; shares vehicle access |
Visitor Accommodation & Visitor-Related
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor accommodation | Restricted Discretionary | Max 6 guests per night; within residential unit, accessory building, or minor residential unit; no shared site access |
Commercial Activities
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | Permitted | Moerewa: 400m² GFA; other settlements: 300m² GFA |
| Office | Permitted | Moerewa: 200m² GFA; other settlements: 100m² GFA |
| Commercial activity (general) | Restricted Discretionary | Complies with outdoor storage (RSZ S5) and landscaping/screening (RSZ S6) standards |
Home-Based & Small-Scale Activities
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Home business | Discretionary/Non-complying | Within residential unit, accessory building ≤40m² GFA, or minor residential unit; max 1 full-time equivalent off-site; manufacturing/processing within building; hours 7am–8pm Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm weekends/public holidays; no offensive trades |
| Educational facility | Discretionary | Within residential unit, accessory building, or minor residential unit; max 4 students at one time (excluding residents) |
| Grazing of animals | Permitted | Poultry: max 12 per site; no roosters |
| Community facility | Restricted Discretionary | Combined GFA ≤300m² or max 10% increase (additions/alterations); complies with outdoor storage (RSZ S5) and landscaping/screening (RSZ S6) |
Activities Not Otherwise Listed
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Activities not otherwise listed | Discretionary |
Outdoor Storage & Landscaping
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor storage (RSZ S5) | Compliance required | Standard applies to commercial and community facility activities |
| Landscaping and screening (RSZ S6) | Compliance required | Standard applies to commercial and community facility activities |
Coastal Environment Setbacks (Settlement Zone in Coastal Environment)
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Setback from MHWS | 26m | Building or structure; assessed for natural character, screening, design, dominance, hazard mitigation, stormwater, and public access impacts |
Permitted Activity Compliance Framework
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Building/structure compliance | Must comply with standards RSZ-S1, RSZ-S2, RSZ-S3, RSZ-S4, RSZ-S5, RSZ-S6, RSZ-S7 |
| Extensions/alterations | Must comply with same standards as new buildings |
| Infrastructure (underground wastewater, water tanks, decks) | Exempted from certain setback standards when <1m height or underground |
Matters of Discretion (where standards not met)
| Standard Breached | Discretionary Matters |
|---|---|
| Maximum height | Character and amenity of surrounding area; dominance re: road and adjoining sites; privacy loss; shading and sunlight loss; landscaping; natural hazard mitigation; site constraints |
| Height in relation to boundary | Privacy loss (including vacant sites); shading and sunlight loss; natural hazard mitigation; site constraints |
| Setback (general) | Character and amenity; screening/planting/landscaping; design/siting for privacy and shading; natural hazard mitigation; stormwater control; access/egress safety and efficiency; public walkways/reserves/esplanades impacts |
| Setback from MHWS | Natural character of coastal environment; screening/planting/landscaping; design/dominance on adjoining public space; natural hazard mitigation; stormwater; road/walkway/reserve/esplanade impacts |
| Outdoor living space | Provision of sufficient outdoor living space; residential amenity |
| Impermeable surfaces | Extent of landscaping/vegetation reducing run-off; stormwater disposal effectiveness; effluent/stormwater disposal adequacy; low impact design and green space use; cumulative catchment impermeability; natural hazard mitigation; site constraints |
| Commercial/community activity (size) | Matters of discretion restricted to infringed standard only |
Objectives & Policies (Settlement Zone)
| Objective | Summary |
|---|---|
| RSZ-O1 | Enable and support residential activity and complementary non-residential activities |
| RSZ-O2 | Settlement zone is a logical and efficient location for residential and non-residential activities |
| RSZ-O3 | Land use and subdivision appropriate for physical, environmental, and infrastructure attributes |
| RSZ-O4 | Manage reverse sensitivity issues within zone and at zone interface |
| Policy | Summary |
|---|---|
| RSZ-P1 | Enable residential and complementary non-residential activities supporting settlement role and function |
| RSZ-P2 | Non-residential activities must demonstrate capacity for onsite infrastructure unless reticulated service available |
| RSZ-P3 | Enable non-residential activities of scale/intensity/character complementing residential; supporting community wellbeing; not adversely affecting nearby urban centers; demonstrating onsite infrastructure capacity |
| RSZ-P4 | Avoid reverse sensitivity effects within zone or on adjacent zones |
| RSZ-P5 | Manage land use and subdivision addressing activity effects: scale/character/amenity of settlement; siting and design; cultural/social wellbeing; reverse sensitivity effects; vitality/viability of urban environments; infrastructure adequacy; natural hazard management; effects on heritage, natural features, landscapes, natural character, indigenous biodiversity; tangata whenua historical/spiritual/cultural associations |
Cross-Reference Notes
- Building setback rules do not include standards for MHWS or wetland/lake/river margins; refer to Natural Character chapter for those setback rules
- Earthworks and indigenous vegetation clearance assessed under separate district-wide and coastal environment chapters
- Natural hazards (coastal and flood) assessed under Natural Hazards chapter
- Heritage and Sites of Significance to Māori assessed under Historic Heritage and Sites and Areas of Significance to Māori chapters