Subdivision

District plan rules for the Subdivision 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.

Subdivision — Far North

Subdivision Activity Status by Zone

ZoneControlled ActivityRestricted DiscretionaryDiscretionaryNon-Complying
Boundary Adjustments (All except Recreational & Conservation)No change in access/titles; lot sizes comply; area within/contiguous with original lots; all systems contained within boundary
Rural Production20ha minimum12ha minimum; or 3 lots (min 4,000m², 1×4ha min, pre-28/4/2000); or 5 lots (min 2ha, pre-28/4/2000)Various discretionary standardsNon-compliance with discretionary standards
Minerals ZoneNot a controlled activityDiscretionary activity appliesDiscretionary activity
Waimate North3 lots max (min 4,000m², 1×4ha min, pre-28/4/2000)3 lots max (min 2,000m², 1×4ha min, pre-28/4/2000); or management planManagement planNon-compliance or further subdivision
Rural Living4,000m² minimum3,000m² minimum3,000m² minimum
Residential3,000m² (unsewered); 600m² (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); 300m² (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); 300m² (sewered)
Coastal Residential3,000m² (unsewered); 800m² (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); 600m² (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); 600m² (sewered)
Commercial3,000m² (unsewered); 250m² (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); no limit (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); no limit (sewered)
Industrial3,000m² (unsewered); 500m² (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); no limit (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); no limit (sewered)
Russell Township3,000m² (unsewered); 1,000m² (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); 800m² (sewered)2,000m² (unsewered); 800m² (sewered)
General CoastalNot a controlled activity20ha minimum (no restriction on number of lots)Management plan approval only
Coastal Living4ha minimum (with stormwater/wastewater provision)8,000m² (with stormwater/wastewater); or within 100m Minerals boundary5,000m² (with stormwater/wastewater); or management plan
South Kerikeri InletNot a controlled activity4ha minimum (non-sensitive areas only, Map 84)Management plan only
Golf Living Sub-zone (Kauri Cliffs)60 new lots max; 4,000m² min; on-site wastewater; building footprints specifiedNon-compliance
Point VeronicaAs per approved development planNon-complying if not controlled activity
Carrington EstateUnit title subdivision per development plan and consent conditionsNon-complying if not controlled activity
Horticultural Processing4,000m² min, 3 lots max (horticultural processing only)2,000m² min, 3 lots max (processing or other uses)
Recreational ActivitiesNo subdivision permittedNon-complying (publicly notified)
ConservationNo subdivision permittedNon-complying (publicly notified)
Orongo Bay Special3,000m² (unsewered); 1,000m² (sewered); per approved Comprehensive Development Plan; 7 titles max2,000m² (unsewered); per approved Comprehensive Development Plan; 7 titles max
Outstanding Landscape / Landscape Feature / Natural Feature20ha minimum (except General Coastal)20ha (General Coastal); management plan (Rural Production, General Coastal, Coastal Living)Management plan or zone discretionary standardNon-complying if boundary passes through feature or only building site in feature (except Pouerua Heritage Precinct)

Allotment Dimensions

ZoneMinimum Building Envelope
Residential, Coastal Residential, Russell Township14m × 14m
Rural Production, Minerals, General Coastal, Coastal Living, South Kerikeri Inlet, Rural Living, Waimate North, Point Veronica, Carrington Estate30m × 30m

Water Supply Requirements

RequirementStandard
Water supply availabilityAll new allotments must connect to lawfully established reticulated supply OR have ability to provide individual on-site supply
Drinking water standardCompliance with "Drinking Water Standards of New Zealand" (1995)
Fire fighting water supplyCompliance with "Engineering Standards and Guidelines 2004 – Revised March 2009" (with NZS 4404:2004)
Water infrastructureAll necessary pipelines, mains, sub-mains, service connections, and fire hydrants per Engineering Standards
System capacityExisting water supply systems must have sufficient capacity to service subdivision
New infrastructure needAssessment of need for new reservoirs, pumping stations, rising mains, increased pipe sizes, new wells, new pumping units
Local purpose reserveMay be required if public water supply utility needed

Stormwater Disposal Requirements

RequirementStandard
Rainfall design event10% Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP)
Disposal method (urban areas)Piped connection to approved outfall, laid minimum 600mm into net area at lowest point of site
Alternative disposalWhere piping impractical, detailed report required from Chartered Professional Engineer
Retention devicesGrass swales, ponds, and depressions in land surface may be required
Detailed reports requiredAll applications creating sites 2ha or less
Flow rate controlWhere required, design per "Technical Publication 10, Stormwater Management Devices – Design Guidelines Manual" (ARC 2003)
Low Impact DesignReduction of site impermeability; retention of natural permeable areas
EasementsAppropriate easements for stormwater lines (centre line or with adequate width for maintenance)
Regional complianceMust comply with regional rules and any discharge permits issued by Northland Regional Council
Existing system capacityCouncil outfall system must have capacity to accept increased run-off
Downstream protectionOn-site retention basins may be required; rate of discharge may need restricting to pre-subdivision levels

Sanitary Sewage Disposal Requirements

RequirementStandard
Reticulated area standardEach new allotment in gazetted district/drainage area must have piped outfall connected to scheme, laid minimum 600mm into net area
Alternative systemsWhere reticulation unavailable or impractical, suitable sewage treatment/disposal system in accordance with Northland Regional Council rules or discharge permit
Temporary systemsMay be appropriate where reticulated system likely in near future
MonitoringConsent notices may be registered requiring connection to system when available
System capacityExisting reticulated system must have sufficient capacity to service subdivision
Best practical optionSubdivision must represent best practical option for sewage/wastewater disposal
Local purpose reserveMay be required if public sewage utility needed

Energy & Telecommunications

RequirementStandard
Energy supply (urban allotments)All Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Coastal Residential, Russell Township, Rural Living zones must have

Other zones in Far North