Urban Environment

District plan rules for the Urban Environment 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.

Urban Environment — Far North

Residential Zone — Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8mPermitted activity
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 2m above groundExcept 10m along one non-road boundary up to 2.7m
Site coverage (impermeable)50%Permitted activity
Front yard (road setback)3m9m for Kerikeri Road (between SH10–Cannon Drive); 10m for specified lots (Cobham Road, Kerikeri Inlet Road)
Side yard1.2mExcept max 10m total length requires no setback
Rear yard1.2mExcept max 10m total length requires no setback
Landscaping (front 2m strip)≥50% of zoneRequired on all but specified urban fringe lots
Outdoor living space screening1.8–2.0m structuresExcept along Commercial/Industrial boundaries

Residential Zone — Residential Intensity

StandardPermittedRestricted DiscretionaryNotes
Sewered sites600m² per unit300m² per unitNet site area minimum
Unsewered sites3,000m² per unit2,000m² per unitNet site area minimum

Residential Zone — Scale of Activities

StandardPermittedRestricted DiscretionaryNotes
Sewered sites2 persons per 600m²4 persons per 600m²Employees + facility users, excludes residents
Unsewered sites2 persons per 3,000m²4 persons per 3,000m²Employees + facility users, excludes residents

Residential Zone — Site Coverage

RulePermittedRestricted DiscretionaryNotes
Building coverage45% gross site area55% or 550m², whichever lesserNew buildings/alterations

Residential Zone — Stormwater Management

RulePermittedControlled ActivityNotes
Impermeable surfaces50% gross site area60% or 600m², whichever lesserRequires engineer's report demonstrating mitigation

Residential Zone — Non-Residential Activities

RuleValueNotes
Maximum net area (sewered)1,000m²Activities other than residential units
Maximum net area (unsewered)5,000m²Activities other than residential units
Hours of operation50 hours/week max; 0700–2000 weekdays, 0800–2000 weekendsExcept entire building activity or resident staff
Noise limit (day: 0700–2200)50 dBA L₁₀At or within boundary of other sites
Noise limit (night: 2200–0700)45 dBA L₁₀ and 70 dBA LmaxAt or within boundary of other sites
Keeping of animalsNo factory farming, boarding/breeding kennels, catteriesProhibited
Helicopter landing areasNot permittedProhibited

Residential Zone — Controlled Activities (Stormwater Exceedance)

RuleValue
Maximum site coverage (buildings + impermeable)60% or 600m², whichever lesser
Engineer's report requiredYes
Assessment focusLow Impact Design; catchment impermeability; soil type; contour disturbance; vegetation/landscaping mitigation

Residential Zone — Restricted Discretionary Activities

RuleMaximum ValueNotes
Residential intensity (sewered)300m² per unitWhen non-compliant with permitted 600m²
Residential intensity (unsewered)2,000m² per unitWhen non-compliant with permitted 3,000m²
Scale of activities (sewered)4 persons per 600m²When non-compliant with permitted 2 persons
Scale of activities (unsewered)4 persons per 3,000m²When non-compliant with permitted 2 persons
Building height9mWhen exceeding permitted 8m
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 3m above groundWhen exceeding permitted plane
Building coverage55% or 550m², whichever lesserWhen exceeding permitted 45%

Residential Zone — Special Provisions (Urban Fringe Lots)

Lot ReferenceRuleValueNotes
Lot 1 DP 28017; Lot 1 DP 46656Road setback (Cobham Road)10mNo new buildings as of 25 March 2019
Lot 1 DP 28017; Lot 1 DP 46656Landscaping/fencing (road boundary)3m depth visually permeable fence + plantingMaintain in perpetuity; non-weed species
Lot 1 DP 28017; Lot 1 DP 46656Landscaping (other boundaries)1.5m depth; permeable fence ≤1.8mMaintain in perpetuity
Lot 1 DP 404507; Lot 1 DP 181291; Lot 2 DP 103531; Lot 1 DP 103531; Lot 2 DP 58333; Pt Lot 1 DP 58333Road setback (Kerikeri Inlet Road)10mNo new buildings as of 25 March 2019
Lot 1 DP 404507; Lot 1 DP 181291; Lot 2 DP 103531; Lot 1 DP 103531; Lot 2 DP 58333; Pt Lot 1 DP 58333Landscaping plan (Kerikeri Inlet boundary)Pittosporum hedge 3m + 20 trees @ 5m within 10m setbackRequire Council approval; maintain in perpetuity
Lot 1 DP 404507; Lot 1 DP 181291; Lot 2 DP 103531; Lot 1 DP 103531; Lot 2 DP 58333; Pt Lot 1 DP 58333Hedge (eastern boundary, Lot 1 DP 404507)Evergreen hedge ≥3m heightMaintain in perpetuity
Lot 1 DP 404507; Lot 1 DP 181291; Lot 2 DP 103531; Lot 1 DP 103531; Lot 2 DP 58333; Pt Lot 1 DP 58333Hedge (western boundary)Griselinia littoralis or similar, 2.5m minimumMaintain in perpetuity
Lot 1 DP 404507; Lot 1 DP 181291; Lot 2 DP 103531; Lot 1 DP 103531; Lot 2 DP 58333; Pt Lot 1 DP 58333Tree planting (northern boundary)≥10m height at maturity; Myrtle Rust resistant; pb95 specimensSoften/fragment views; maintain in perpetuity
Kerikeri Road (SH10–Cannon Drive)Road setback9mApplies to all properties with Kerikeri Road frontage

Residential Zone — Coopers Beachfront Estate (Special Provisions)

RuleValueNotes
Accessory buildingsMax 1 detached per residential unit45m² floor area maximum

Other zones in Far North