Sport And Active Recreation

District plan rules for the Sport And Active Recreation 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.

Sport And Active Recreation — Far North

Overview

The Sport and Active Recreation zone includes sports fields, hard-court areas, recreational and sporting facilities, and associated buildings. The level of development anticipated is higher than the Open Space zone. Most areas are available for informal leisure and recreation activities such as walking, jogging and non-organised sports when facilities are not in use. The zone may include commercial activities associated with sport and recreation, such as retail of merchandise and equipment and providing food and beverages to players and supporters.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8m above ground levelExcludes solar/water heating (0.5m), chimneys (1.2m × 1m), satellite dishes/aerials (1m), architectural features (1m)
Height in relation to boundary (northern)55 degrees at 2m above ground levelRecession plane; excludes solar/water heating, chimneys, satellite dishes, aerials, architectural features
Height in relation to boundary (eastern/western)45 degrees at 2m above ground levelRecession plane; excludes solar/water heating, chimneys, satellite dishes, aerials, architectural features
Height in relation to boundary (southern)35 degrees at 2m above ground levelRecession plane; excludes solar/water heating, chimneys, satellite dishes, aerials, architectural features
Front yard (setback from road boundary)3m minimumMeasured from road boundary
Side and rear yard (setback from other boundaries)1.2m minimumExcludes fences/walls ≤2m and uncovered decks ≤0.5m above ground level
Setback from MHWS26m minimumMeasured from Mean High Water Springs
Building or structure coverage8% maximumOf total site area
Impermeable surface coverage10% maximumOf total site area

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatusConditions
Recreation activityPermitted
Park management activityPermitted
Sport and recreation facilityPermitted
Community facilityPermitted
Conservation activityPermitted
Maintenance of tracksPermitted
Vegetation plantingPermitted
Customary activityPermitted
Commercial activityPermittedMaximum GFA 40m²; hours 8am–6pm Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm weekends/public holidays; must be ancillary to recreation activity
New building or structure / extension or alterationPermittedMust accommodate permitted activity and comply with standards SARZ-S1, SARZ-S2, SARZ-S3, SARZ-S4, SARZ-S5
Impermeable surface coveragePermittedMaximum 10% of site

Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatus
Visitor accommodationDiscretionary
Camping groundDiscretionary
Educational facilityDiscretionary
Activities not otherwise listedDiscretionary
Residential activityDiscretionary
Industrial activityDiscretionary
Motorsport activityDiscretionary
Mineral extraction activityDiscretionary
Offensive tradeDiscretionary
Commercial compostingDiscretionary
Community corrections activityDiscretionary
LandfillDiscretionary

Noise Standards

RuleValueNotes
Noise limit within zone (7am–10pm)50 dB LAeq (15min)Measured at any other site in Natural Open Space, Open Space, or Sport and Active Recreation zones
Noise limit within zone (10pm–7am)40 dB LAeq (15min)Measured at any other site in Natural Open Space, Open Space, or Sport and Active Recreation zones
Noise limit within zone (10pm–7am)70 dB LAFmaxMeasured at any other site in Natural Open Space, Open Space, or Sport and Active Recreation zones
Exemption: organised sporting eventsUp to 20 hours per week between 7am–7pmUnamplified noise only

Policies

PolicyDescription
SARZ-O1The Sport and Active Recreation zone is predominantly used for recreation activity
SARZ-O2Buildings or structures complement and are consistent with the purpose of the zone and provide for social and cultural wellbeing
SARZ-P1Enable indoor and outdoor activities compatible with purpose and predominant character, including recreation activities and temporary events
SARZ-P2Provide for single and multi-sport facilities and commercial activities ancillary to recreation, where these enhance use and enjoyment, avoid/remedy/mitigate adverse effects on character and amenity of adjacent residential zones, and provide community benefit
SARZ-P3Avoid land use and subdivision that would compromise establishment and continuing use for sport and recreation purposes
SARZ-P4Manage effects of land use and subdivision through assessment of: consistency with scale, density, design and character; location, scale and design of buildings/structures; public benefit; setbacks, fencing, screening, landscaping at zone interfaces; adverse effects on adjacent zones; consistency with reserve management plans; effects on public access; adequacy of infrastructure; site capacity for on-site infrastructure; natural hazard management; effects on heritage, natural features, landscapes, biodiversity; and cultural associations with tangata whenua

Matters of Discretion for Non-Complying Standards

Building/structure coverage (SARZ-S5):

  • Character and amenity of surrounding area
  • Landscaping, planting and screening to mitigate adverse effects
  • Extent private open space can be provided for future uses
  • Extent to which siting, setback and design mitigate visual dominance on adjacent sites and surrounding environment
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints

Setback from road and other boundaries (SARZ-S3):

  • Character and amenity of surrounding area
  • Screening, planting and landscaping on site
  • Design and siting with respect to privacy and shading
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints
  • Effectiveness of proposed method for controlling stormwater
  • Safety and efficiency of current or future access, egress and roading network
  • Impacts on existing and planned public walkways, reserves and esplanades

Height standards (SARZ-S1):

  • Character and amenity of surrounding environment
  • Dominance in relation to road and adjoining sites
  • Loss of privacy to adjoining sites (including potential loss in relation to vacant sites)
  • Shading and loss of access to sunlight to adjoining sites
  • Landscaping
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints

Height in relation to boundary (SARZ-S2):

  • Loss of privacy to adjoining sites (including potential loss in relation to vacant sites)
  • Shading and loss of access to sunlight to adjoining sites (including buildings and outdoor areas)
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints

Setback from MHWS (SARZ-S4):

  • Natural character of coastal environment
  • Screening, planting and landscaping on site
  • Design and siting with respect to dominance on adjoining public space
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints
  • Effectiveness of proposed method for controlling stormwater
  • Impacts on existing and planned roads, public walkways, reserves and esplanades

Impermeable surface coverage (SARZ-R2):

  • Extent to which landscaping or vegetation may reduce adverse effects of run-off
  • Effectiveness of proposed method for controlling stormwater on site
  • Availability of land for disposal of effluent and stormwater without adverse effects on adjoining waterbodies (including groundwater and aquifers) or adjoining sites
  • Whether low impact design methods and use of green spaces can be used
  • Cumulative effects on total catchment impermeability
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints
  • Extent of potential adverse effects on cultural, spiritual, heritage and/or amenity values of affected waterbodies

Cross-Zone Rules

Natural Character (Wetland, Lake and River Margins):

  • Buildings/structures on wetland, lake and river margins for park management activity in Sport and Active Recreation zones are permitted if required for restoration, enhancement, natural hazard mitigation, or ancillary purposes (e.g. post and wire fencing, river crossings

Other zones in Far North