Local Centre Zone — Whangārei
Overview
The Local Centre Zone (LCZ) provides for commercial, community and residential activities within the suburbs of Whangārei City, Ruakaka and Marsden Point. Local Centres serve as focal points for suburban communities, typically anchored by traditional main streets with active street frontages, high pedestrian activity and public transport links.
Specific Local Centre locations: Tikipunga, Kensington, Regent, Kamo, Onerahi, Otangarei, Maunu, Woodhill/Avenues, Ruakaka, Raumanga, One Tree Point/Marsden Cove.
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height | 16m above ground level | Default; minor buildings exempt |
| Height in relation to boundary | 4m + shortest horizontal distance to Residential/Open Space boundary | Applied to building parts below 16m |
| Front yard setback | 0m (zero setback) | Required at ground floor for entire frontage; exceptions for service stations, emergency services, grocery stores |
| Front yard setback exception | Up to 1.5m | Recessed pedestrian entrance, max 2.5m width |
| Side/rear yard setback from Residential Zone | 5m | For all buildings and major structures |
| Setback from waterbodies | 20m | From Mean High Water Springs or top of riverbank exceeding 3m width; does not apply to Marsden Cove LCZ |
| Site coverage (impervious) | Maximum 90% | Of total site area |
| Impervious setback from water | 5m | From Mean High Water Springs and riverbanks exceeding 3m width |
| Ground floor floor-to-floor height | Minimum 3.8m | Interior height |
| Clear glazing at ground floor | Minimum 65% | Of building frontage; no film or coverings limiting visibility |
| Verandah coverage | Continuous along entire frontage | Excluding accessways; must form continuous line with adjacent verandahs |
| Verandah clearance | Minimum 3m, maximum 4m | Above footpath |
| Verandah width | Lesser of: footpath width minus 600mm, or 5m maximum | Width measured from kerb line |
| Verandah requirement | Required for all buildings within 2m of road boundary | Exception: where strategic road protection area applies |
| Fencing height (side/rear) | Maximum 2m | Within 1m of side or rear boundary |
| Fencing at frontage | Allowed only if required by by-law or public health/safety | Or if not along road frontage |
| Blank wall limit | Maximum 25m continuous area | Visible from site frontage |
| Roller doors at frontage | Prohibited | Along site frontage |
| Car parking location | Not between building frontage and road | Exception: service stations and grocery stores |
| Screening of storage/stockpile | Screened from adjacent public places, Residential and Open Space zones | Construction materials exception: 12 months per 10-year period |
Residential Unit Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential units location | Above ground floor only | Non-active uses required above ground floor |
| Net floor area (1 habitable room) | Minimum 35m² | |
| Net floor area (2+ habitable rooms) | Minimum 45m² | |
| Outdoor living space (1 bedroom) | Minimum 4m² | Minimum 1.5m depth |
| Outdoor living space (2+ bedrooms) | Minimum 8m² | Minimum 2.4m depth |
| Ground floor residential design | Maintain residential amenity and active frontages | Special design requirements for ground floor units |
Business Activity Standards
| Rule | Gross Floor Area / Scale | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General business service activities | Maximum 450m² net floor area | Permitted with conditions |
| Professional services, offices | Maximum 450m² net floor area | Permitted with conditions |
| Hospitality (food/beverage) | Maximum 450m² net floor area | Permitted with conditions |
| Retail activities | Maximum 450m² net floor area | Permitted with conditions |
| Artisan/small scale industrial | Maximum 300m² gross floor area | Manufacturing must occur on-site; retailing ancillary |
| Community activities | Maximum 1,000m² gross floor area | Permitted with conditions |
| Tourism/visitor accommodation | Maximum 1,000m² gross floor area | Restricted Discretionary |
| Health services | Maximum 450m² net floor area | Permitted with conditions |
| Education services | Maximum 450m² net floor area | Permitted with conditions |
Activity Conditions (General)
The following conditions apply to most permitted business and community activities:
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Boundary screening | Trees/shrubs minimum 1.8m height, 1m depth (except within 5m of road: max 1.2m height) |
| Operating hours (proximity to residential) | If within 50m of Residential Zone: 06:00–22:00 only |
| Distance exemption | If further than 50m from Residential Zone: no hours restriction |
| Activity type | Must be primary or ancillary activity |
| Outdoor area location | Not between building front and road (except service stations, grocery stores) |
| Outdoor display/storage area | Maximum 500m² (for activities with display/storage) |
Activity Status — Permitted
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Retail activities (general) | Permitted | Max 450m² NFA; boundary screening; hours/distance rules |
| Food and beverage (restaurants, cafes, bars) | Permitted | Max 450m² NFA; boundary screening; hours/distance rules |
| Service activities | Permitted | Max 450m² NFA; boundary screening; hours/distance rules |
| Professional services and offices | Permitted | Max 450m² NFA; boundary screening; hours/distance rules |
| Health services | Permitted | Max 450m² NFA; boundary screening; hours/distance rules |
| Education services | Permitted | Max 450m² NFA; boundary screening; hours/distance rules |
| Artisan/small-scale manufacturing | Permitted | Max 300m² GFA; goods manufactured on-site; ancillary retail; no outdoor area at front |
| Community facilities/activities | Permitted | Max 1,000m² GFA; boundary screening; hours/distance rules |
| Residential activities | Permitted | Above ground floor only; unit size and outdoor space standards apply |
| Tourist-related activities | Permitted | Max 450m² NFA (or 1,000m² GFA depending on scale) |
| Entertainment facilities | Permitted | Subject to scale and hours restrictions |
| Car parking (ancillary) | Permitted | Not between building frontage and road boundary |
| Storage or stockpile (outdoor) | Permitted | Screened from public and residential areas; construction materials max 12 months per 10-year cycle |
| Fencing | Permitted | Subject to height and location rules |
| Verandahs | Permitted | Required if within 2m of road; specific dimensions apply |
Activity Status — Restricted Discretionary
| Activity | Status | Matters of Discretion |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings exceeding 16m height | Restricted Discretionary | Visual dominance effects; location, design, scale, appearance; privacy and amenity; shading; streetscape and walkability; urban design and CPTED principles; character consistency; adverse transport/three waters effects; supporting open space/amenities within walking distance; commercial activity intensity effects on other Business Zones |
| Residential units not meeting LCZ-R13.1–R13.3 | Restricted Discretionary | Design, size, layout for privacy/amenity; proximity to communal/public open space; effects on active frontage and streetscapes |
| Ground floor floor-to-floor height below 3.8m | Restricted Discretionary | Ability to maintain active frontages; streetscape amenity; pedestrian safety; internal amenity and lighting; flexibility for future commercial uses |
| Building/major structure setback non-compliance (residential/open space) | Restricted Discretionary | Outlook and privacy; shading and visual dominance; streetscape character; transport network safety/efficiency |
| Building/major structure setback |