Under the Christchurch District Plan, earthworks that are not associated with a subdivision or building consent must comply with certain requirements or resource consent will be needed.
This includes works such as filling of old swimming pools, and any excavations or filling needed to create driveways, retaining walls, outdoor living areas, etc.
To be permitted, earthworks must meet all of the following requirements:
- Not exceed the maximum volume and depth for the zone, as set out in the table below.
- The gradient of the land where the earthworks will be carried out is no steeper than 1 in 6.
- The filling must consist of cleanfill only.
- Not be located within 5m of a heritage item or within a heritage setting listed in Appendix 9.3.7.2.
- Not be located within the dripline of a significant tree listed in Appendix 9.4.7.1.
- Soil compaction methods which create vibration must comply with a specific vibration standard and be certified by an engineer .
- In Residential zones, any use of mechanical or illuminating equipment is limited to between 7am and 7pm, and must comply with noise and light spill standards.
- In other zones, use of mechanical equipment is generally limited to between 7am and 10pm, and must comply with noise and light spill standards.
Zone | Volume | Depth | |
Residential | All residential zones | 20m³/site | 0.6m |
Commercial / Industrial | Commercial Local, and Commercial Banks Peninsula Zones |
20m³/site |
0.6m |
Commercial Core, Commercial Office, Commercial Mixed Use, Central City Mixed Use, Mixed Use (South Frame), Commercial Retail Park, Industrial General, Industrial Heavy and Industrial Park Zones | 1000m³/ha | 0.6m | |
Central City Business Zone | 200m³/ha | 0.6m | |
Rural and Papakainga/Kainga Nohoanga | All zones | 100m³/ha | 0.6m |
Notes
This is only a summary of the main earthworks rules in Chapter 8.9 of the Christchurch District Plan(external link).
Depending on the property location there may also be relevant earthworks rules in other chapters, including:
- The zone chapter.
- Chapter 5 (earthworks in flood prone, slope instability and other identified hazard areas).
- Chapter 4 (contaminated land).
- Chapter 6 (earthworks within water body setbacks and within, and adjacent to sites of Ngāi Tahu Cultural Significance).
Earthworks to repair land used for residential purposes that was damaged by earthworks are covered by a different set of rules, as are earthworks in the vicinity of the National Grid and electricity distribution lines.
The maximum volumes listed in the table are for the total amount of filling and excavation within any 12 month period. Volumes stated in m³/ha are applied as a ratio based on the area of the site.