Low Density Residential Zone — Whangārei
Zone Overview
The Low Density Residential Zone provides for low-density residential living on the periphery of the Urban Area where more intensive residential development is inappropriate. The zone forms a transition between urban density and the rural environment. Development patterns are characterised by large un-serviced residential sites containing mid to large scale principal residential units, surrounded by large areas of open space. Commercial activities are actively discouraged; small-scale non-residential activities are provided for only where ancillary to residential activities.
Objectives & Policies
LRZ-O1 Residential Activity: Residential activities remain the dominant activity in the Low Density Residential Zone.
LRZ-O2 Amenity: Maintain and enhance the low density and spacious character of the Low Density Residential Zone. Subdivision and development maintain on-site amenity and the amenity of adjoining Low Density Residential Zone sites.
LRZ-P1 Density and Character: Residential activities remain dominant; non-residential activities must be compatible with residential amenity. Achieve low density and spacious character by managing density, minimum site sizes, height, bulk and form of development, and enabling residential units on sites of size consistent with low-density character.
LRZ-P2 Non-Residential Activities: Protect the predominantly residential nature of the zone by managing non-residential activities to ensure compatibility with residential context.
LRZ-P3 Supported Residential Care and Retirement Villages: Enable appropriate residential activities by providing for supported residential care and retirement villages where designed, located and managed to provide high amenity for residents, avoid adverse effects on surrounding zones, maintain existing residential character, and avoid/remedy/mitigate adverse effects on infrastructure.
LRZ-P5 Subdivision: Restrict impervious areas to manage stormwater runoff, protect amenity values, and safeguard esplanade areas and waterfront walkways. Encourage subdivision design and layout that achieves sites shaped and sized for generous sunlight to living and outdoor spaces with high on-site amenity and privacy; sites located to overlook and front roads and Open Space and Recreation Zones where possible; and limited creation of multiple rear sites.
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum building height | 8m above ground level | LRZ-R3.1 |
| Height in relation to boundary | 3m + shortest horizontal distance to boundary (excluding road boundaries) | LRZ-R3.2 |
| Front yard setback | 4.5m from road boundaries | LRZ-R4.1(a) |
| Side yard setback | 3m from side boundaries, allowing one 2m setback | LRZ-R4.1(b) |
| Rear yard setback | 3m from rear boundaries, allowing one 2m setback | LRZ-R4.1(b) |
| Water body setback | 27m from Mean High Water Springs or top of bank of rivers exceeding 3m width | LRZ-R4.1(c) |
| Site coverage | 25% maximum cumulative building and major structure coverage | LRZ-R5.1 |
| Impervious area | 35% maximum of site area | LRZ-R6.1 |
| Impervious area setback from water | 5m from Mean High Water Springs or top of bank of rivers exceeding 3m width | LRZ-R6.2 |
| Fence height | 2m maximum above ground level | LRZ-R7.1 |
| Fence visual permeability | 50% visually permeable above 1m height for fences within 3m of road boundary | LRZ-R7.2 |
| Fence materials | No broken glass, electrification, or barbed wire (except stock exclusion) | LRZ-R7.3, LRZ-R7.4 |
| Car parking setback | 2m minimum from road boundary (excluding on-street parking) | LRZ-R8.1 |
Residential Unit Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Principal residential unit density | 1 unit per 400m² net site area minimum (1 unit permitted on any size site) | LRZ-R9.1 |
| Separation between principal units | 3m minimum between detached principal residential units | LRZ-R9.2 |
| Separation with outdoor court | 6m minimum between detached principal units where outdoor living court exists between them | LRZ-R9.3 |
| Sunlight access | Minimum 5 hours direct sunlight on winter solstice | LRZ-R9.4 |
| Window separation | 6m minimum between windows in habitable rooms of separate units (with direct line of sight) | LRZ-R9.5 |
| Minor residential unit density | 1 unit maximum per principal residential unit on site | LRZ-R11.1 |
| Minor unit separation distance | Maximum 15m from principal residential unit (excluding accessory buildings and detached garages) | LRZ-R11.2 |
| Minor unit building coverage | Maximum 90m² combined (including accessory buildings, garages, and associated decking) | LRZ-R11.3 |
| Principal unit outdoor living court (ground floor) | Minimum 20m² with 4m minimum depth | LRZ-R12.1(a) |
| Principal unit outdoor living court (upper floor only) | Minimum 8m² with 2m minimum depth | LRZ-R12.1(b) |
| Outdoor court sunlight | Minimum 5 hours on winter solstice over at least 50% of required space | LRZ-R12.3 |
Ancillary Residential Activities (Home-Based Business)
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Operator requirement | Principal operator must be permanent resident on site | LRZ-R13 onwards |
| Operating hours | No machinery operation, customer receipt, or loading/unloading before 08:00 or after 18:00 | LRZ-R13 onwards |
| Traffic movements | Maximum 20 per site per day | LRZ-R13 onwards |
| Car parking | No car parking between residential unit and road | LRZ-R13 onwards |
| Staff limit | Maximum 2 additional persons beyond principal operator | LRZ-R13 onwards |
| Floor area | Maximum 15% of total gross floor area of all buildings on site | LRZ-R13 onwards |
| Visitor accommodation outdoor court | Minimum 6m² with 1.8m minimum depth | LRZ-R13 onwards |
Vegetation Clearance Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indigenous vegetation clearance | Maximum 500m² per site within each 10-year period from 15 July 2020 | LRZ-R10.1(a) |
| Water body clearance buffer | Clearance not within 20m of water body | LRZ-R10.1(b) |
| Building maintenance clearance | Routine maintenance within 7.5m of building eaves permitted, including tree removal within that distance | LRZ-R10.1(d)(i) |
| Permitted clearance activities | Routine maintenance of tracks, lawns, gardens, fences, drains; pest plant removal and biosecurity works; customary rights; conservation planting | LRZ-R10.1(d)(ii)-(v) |
Storage & Ancillary Use Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor storage screening | Must be screened from view from adjacent public places and surrounding sites; construction materials allowed for maximum 12 months per 10-year period | LRZ-R14 |
| Non-residential activity traffic | Maximum 25 traffic movements per site per day | Various rules |
| Home-based visitor accommodation | Maximum 20 traffic movements per site per day | LRZ-R17-R21 |
Permitted Activities
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Residential activity | Permitted | Must comply with all density, building, and outdoor living standards |
| Minor buildings | Permitted | Exempt from height, setback, and coverage rules (LRZ-R3-R6) |
| Fences | Permitted | Must comply with height, permeability, and material standards |
| Indigenous vegetation clearance | Permitted | Must comply with clearance limits and water body buffers |