Rural Production Zone

District plan rules for the Rural Production Zone in Whangārei, New Zealand.

Summarised from the Whangārei 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.

Rural Production Zone — Whangārei

Objectives

ObjectiveDetails
RPROZ-O2 Land Use ActivitiesIdentify and protect productive rural land resources for a diverse range of rural production activities. Enable commercial and industrial activities that support rural production and/or rural communities including recreation and tourist activities.
RPROZ-O4 Adverse EffectsRecognise, maintain and protect rural character and amenity. Avoid adverse effects on productive land from residential, rural residential and rural living subdivision and development.
RPROZ-O6 Coastal EnvironmentMinimise fragmentation of rural land and promote site sizes facilitating rural production activities (except where protecting significant ecological/biodiversity values). Provide for compatible rural production activities in Coastal Environment.

Policies

PolicyDetails
RPROZ-P1 Rural Character and AmenityProtect distinctive rural character including: dominance of natural features; working rural production environment with farmed animals, crops, forestry; ancillary structures; seasonal activities; low intensity development; varying noise levels; open space and low density; typical rural odours, noise and dust; low vehicle traffic with seasonal fluctuations.
RPROZ-P2 Land Use ActivitiesProvide commercial/industrial activities only where: (a) direct connection with rural resource/rural production/rural communities/recreation/tourism; (b) requires rural location; (c) minimises reverse sensitivity effects; (d) contains/manages adverse effects on-site; (e) contributes positively to economy; (f) can meet infrastructure requirements. Not regulate outdoor agricultural/horticultural activities excluding intensive livestock farming. Permit farming and ancillary activities. Require larger site sizes to retain productive options.
RPROZ-P3 Reverse SensitivityAvoid reverse sensitivity by preventing sensitive activities within close proximity to Quarrying Resource Areas, Strategic Rural Industries, intensive livestock farming or other lawfully established rural production activities.
RPROZ-P4 Unsealed RoadsReduce exposure to noise, dust and health risks by requiring minimum separation for residential units from unsealed roads.
RPROZ-P5 Maintain Amenity and CharacterEnsure new buildings/major structures/rural land uses: (1) appropriate scale and character to zone; (2) sited sufficiently setback from boundaries for privacy, openness and sunlight access; (3) avoid ribbon development.
RPROZ-P6 Setback BuffersIdentify setback buffers between Rural Production Zone and Residential Zones, Future Urban Zone, Rural Lifestyle Zones and Settlement Zone Residential Sub-Zone to avoid inappropriate subdivision for future urban growth.
RPROZ-P7 Subdivision Greater than 20haEnable subdivision of rural land into sites of 20ha or more where: (1) efficient on-site servicing provided; (2) avoidance of erosion, subsidence, slippage, flooding or inundation; (3) land stability and suitability for buildings, accessways and parking.
RPROZ-P8 Subdivision Less than 20haAvoid subdivision into sites less than 20ha unless demonstrated: (1) does not create rural residential/lifestyle site (unless Net Environmental Benefit); (2) does not inhibit productive potential; (3) size/shape practical for production activities and does not restrict options; (4) existing activity viability not compromised; (5) no adverse effects on adjoining production activities; (6) no connection to reticulated sewer or service/road extensions except where economically justified and infrastructure not compromised.
RPROZ-P9 Net Environmental BenefitProvide subdivision where Net Environmental Benefit created by legal protection in perpetuity and ongoing management of: (a) indigenous vegetation or indigenous fauna habitat (significant per Regional Policy Statement); (b) Outstanding Natural Landscapes/Features/Character or High Natural Character; (c) Heritage Buildings or Māori significance sites; (d) Highly Erodible Land or riparian margins in threatened land environments. Manage effects by avoiding: adverse effects on protected areas, cumulative adverse effects, reverse sensitivity, development on highly versatile soils, urban form; minimise fragmentation; protect productive potential; retain natural character, landscape qualities, rural character and amenity; determine if fewer sites should be created; assess against Coastal Environment provisions.
RPROZ-P10 Other SubdivisionProvide limited subdivision for surplus existing residential unit where farm balance area is large and new site dimensions accommodate on-site services and efficient access.
RPROZ-P11 Boundary Relocation SubdivisionsProvide boundary relocation subdivisions where: (1) location/design ensures buildings/structures comply with rules; (2) no additional residential capacity created except where legal protections restrict development to pre-subdivision levels; (3) adverse effects on rural character/amenity avoided/remedied/mitigated; (4) overall productive capacity of highly productive land retained long-term.
RPROZ-P12 Location and Design of SubdivisionsLocate/design subdivisions to: (1) respond to topography and characteristics; (2) avoid development on highly versatile soils; (3) identify building platforms responding to topography/environmental characteristics; (4) locate accessways/services/utilities/building platforms without significant earthworks; (5) locate sensitive to environmental features; (6) not create reverse sensitivity with existing lawfully established activities.
RPROZ-P13 Quarrying Resource Area OverburdenRecognise overburden placement from adjacent Quarrying Resource Area as appropriate if: (1) necessary for efficient use of Resource Area and preserves access to regionally significant minerals, is final/long-term deposition, no practicable alternative within Mining Area; (2) progressive rehabilitation maintains rural character/amenity; (3) avoids highly versatile soils; (4) managed to protect sensitive activities from unreasonable noise/vibration/dust/illumination effects; (5) other effects first avoided, then remedied/mitigated; (6) effective separation distance maintained from sensitive activities.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum building height10m above ground levelGeneral rule RPROZ-R3
Maximum major structure height10m above ground levelGeneral rule RPROZ-R3
Building/major structure setback from boundaries8m minimumRPROZ-R4
Building/major structure setback from MHWS/river bank27m minimumFrom Mean High Water Springs and top of bank of rivers exceeding 3m width (excluding bridges, culverts, fences)
Maximum cumulative building and major structure coverage20% of net site areaRPROZ-R5
Maximum frost protection fan height20m above ground levelRPROZ-R12
Frost protection fan setback from boundaries8m minimumRPROZ-R12
Artificial crop protection structure height10m maximumRPROZ-R13
Artificial crop protection structure setback1m from boundaries; 27m from MHWS/riverRPROZ-R13

Residential Standards

RuleValueNotes
Principal residential unit density1 per 20ha net site area1 unit permitted on any size site (RPROZ-R7)
Minor residential unit maximum1 per siteRPROZ-R8
Minor residential unit distance from principal unit15m maximum (excluding accessory buildings/garages)RPROZ-R8
Minor residential unit combined building coverage90m² maximumIncluding accessory buildings, garages, decking (RPROZ-R8)

Sensitive Activity Setbacks

Activity TypeSetbackNotes
Mining Area of Quarrying Resource Areas500m minimumRPROZ-R9
Strategic Rural Industries Zone500m minimumRPROZ-R9
Business Zones500m minimumRPROZ-R9
Unsealed roads (formed)30m minimumRPROZ-R9
Existing plantation forestry (separate site)30m minimumRPROZ-R9
Intensive livestock farming (separate site)250m minimumRPROZ-R9
Ancillary farming/forestry activities (separate site)250m minimumRPROZ-R9
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Other zones in Whangārei