You can use the District Plan to see if certain activities are allowed in certain areas. To determine if an activity is provided for by the Plan, or is provided for in a certain area:
Step 1 – Check the zone that applies
Use the Property search and planning maps(external link) to find the property and determine its zoning.
Check for any special feature, designation or general rules that apply. Refer to the abbreviations and definitions in Chapter 2(external link) for help in interpreting rules.
Step 2 – Confirm if any notation, overlay or designation applies
Use the planning maps to confirm whether the property has any special feature or designation on it.
Notations are spatial layers used to achieve particular outcomes on a smaller scale. For example, building height restrictions or urban design in a particular area.
Overlays are spatial layers that usually extend more than one zone and manage a district wide issue or activity. Examples include natural hazards, outstanding natural landscapes and heritage overlays.
A designation is an area of land identified in a district plan that is intended to be used for a particular work or project (such as a road or school) by a requiring authority.
Step 3 – Confirm the activity status
- Go to the relevant chapters for the zone that the property is located in
- Check the Activity Status Table and the Built Form Standards for the activity you wish to do. Every activity will be indicated as being either a permitted, controlled, restricted discretionary, discretionary, non-complying or prohibited activity. See section 1.5.2 of the District Plan(external link) to understand what these different activity status mean. Refer to the abbreviations and definitions in Chapter 2 for help in interpreting the rules
- Determine the activity class
- If your activity is permitted you can proceed without obtaining resource consent
Step 4 – Apply for resource consent
- If your activity is classified as controlled, restricted discretionary, discretionary, or non-complying you will need to apply to the Council for a resource consent
- If your activity is classified as restricted discretionary or discretionary the District Plan provides guidance on the matters of discretion that the Council will apply in its consideration of the resource consent application. Consideration is also given to the Plan’s objectives and policies
- Applications for resource consents must be made in writing to the Council. Application forms, and details on the information that must accompany an application, are online or available from Council offices. Fees apply.