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.

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.

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. Updates on this are available on our PC14 page. 

Applications for resource consent and building consent can’t be processed under the proposed rules until they have legal effect. This will occur after decisions on PC14 have been made and notified.

The operative District Plan provisions continue to apply in the meantime. 

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. 

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.