A property’s planning zone shows what activities and land uses are permitted. Before applying for building or resource consent, check the relevant planning map for your property, and use this information to find out what rules and restrictions apply.

PC14 and Medium Density Residential Standards update

The Housing and Business Choice Plan Change (PC14) contains the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) and other government-directed intensification provisions. 

Most of the Council's decisions on areas within and around commercial centres (referred to as Policy 3 areas) became operative on 12 December 2024. High Density Residential Zoning was introduced around 10 commercial centres and Medium Density Residential Zoning around some 30 other commercial centres. Changes were also made to the commercial zones themselves.

In addition, the Council made 20 Alternative Recommendations to the Minister for RMA Reform. They have legal effect alongside the equivalent rule in the operative District Plan, i.e. both will apply in the interim until decisions have been made by the Minister. 

Decisions on parts of PC14 for other areas of the city haven't been made yet. Applications for resource consent and building consent can’t be processed under the proposed rules for those areas until the decisions have been made and notified. The operative District Plan provisions continue to apply in the meantime. 

More information is available on our PC14 page(external link)(external link).  

The Christchurch District Plan defines areas (zones) for residential, commercial, rural or industrial activities, each with their own set of rules. The previous City and Banks Peninsula Plans contain provisions in relation to coastal hazards that are still in effect. All other rules are now found in the District Plan. 

The District Plan includes maps that show zone boundaries and where features within zones, such as flood management areas, character areas and other overlays, heritage buildings or protected trees etc, are located. 

If you want to build or make changes to your property, including how you use your property, you can use the District Plan property search(external link)(external link) to find the maps, zones or features that relate to a property.

Then view the District Plan(external link)(external link) to view the rules and find out whether what you want to do is permitted under the plan or if it requires a resource consent. 

From time to time, changes are made to the District Plan rules, maps and other provisions. Information about proposed and completed Plan Changes is available on our District Plan page.

Please contact us on 03 941 8999 or email our duty planner if you have any queries about the District Plan zoning or the rules that apply.

Please note that the Residential zone rule summaries previously available on this page are currently being updated.