Rural

District plan rules for the Rural in Far North, New Zealand.

Summarised from the Far North 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 — Far North

Rural Zone — Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height10mWaimate North Zone
Maximum height10mPoint Veronica Zone
Height in relation to boundary45° recession plane from 2m above boundaryWaimate North Zone; Point Veronica Zone
Site coverage10% or 2400m², whichever lessRural Living Zone
Site coverage15% or 5000m²Waimate North Zone
Site coverage15%Minerals Zone (non-mining activities)
Building setback from boundaries10m minimumMinerals Zone (buildings)
Building setback from Minerals Zone10m minimumNon-mining activities
Mining/quarrying setback from Minerals Zone20m minimumMining or quarrying activities
Factory farming/kennels/cattery setback50m from boundaryGeneral rule
Factory farming/kennels/cattery setback600m from Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township boundariesGeneral rule
Boarding kennel setback300m from boundaryRural Living Zone

Rural Zone — Permitted Activities

ActivityStatusConditions
Residential unitPermittedOne unit per 4ha; minimum 3000m² exclusive use + 3.7ha elsewhere (Minerals Zone); Waimate North: one unit per 4ha with minimum 3000m² exclusive + 3.7ha elsewhere
Farm buildings and structuresPermittedMust comply with setbacks and coverage standards
Vegetation clearance for plantation forestryPermittedSubject to National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry
Single species tree plantingPermittedUp to 4ha in rural zone, 2ha in coastal zone (Outstanding Landscapes)
Excavation/filling — general ruralPermitted500m³ per 12 months or less; <1.5m cut/fill height (max 3m total)
Excavation/filling — Outstanding LandscapePermitted300m³ per 12 months; <1.5m cut/fill height (max 3m total)
Excavation/filling — Residential/Industrial/Coastal Residential/Russell TownshipPermitted200m³ per 12 months; <1.5m cut/fill height (max 3m total)
Excavation/filling — National Grid YardPermittedSee National Grid Yard specific standards
Papakainga housingControlled activityMinimum 3000m² exclusive use per unit
Helicopter landing areaDiscretionary200m minimum from Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township/Point Veronica zones
Helicopter landing area (Point Veronica)Not permittedHelicopter landing areas not permitted

Rural Zone — Scale and Activities

RuleValueNotes
Maximum persons on site8 per 4ha net site areaExcludes permanent residents; Minerals Zone (non-mining), Waimate North, Point Veronica, Conservation Zone
Temporary person increase60 days per 12 monthsFor ancillary activities
Person increase allowanceUnrestrictedFor construction/establishment activities or marae visitation

Minerals Zone — Specific Rules

RuleValueNotes
Residential intensityOne unit per 4haMinimum 3000m² exclusive + 3.7ha elsewhere
Stormwater management (permitted)15% site coverageImpermeable surfaces
Stormwater management (discretionary)20% site coverageImpermeable surfaces
Noise limits — day (0700–2200)55 dBA L₁₀At boundary or notional boundary of dwelling
Noise limits — night (2200–0700)45 dBA L₁₀ and 70 dBA L(max)At boundary or notional boundary of dwelling
Blasting — peak particle velocity2mm/s (95% compliance); 10mm/s (100% compliance)At notional boundary of dwelling outside zone; 12-month compliance period
Blasting — air overpressure120 dBC (Peak)At notional boundary of potentially affected dwelling
Helicopter landing area setback200mFrom Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township/Point Veronica zones

Rural Zone — Stormwater Management

RuleValueNotes
Maximum impermeable surface (permitted)20% of gross site areaRural Living Zone controlled activity
Maximum impermeable surface (discretionary)20% of gross site areaMinerals Zone discretionary activity
Low Impact Design principlesRequired considerationIn stormwater disposal assessment

Noise Standards

Zone/ContextDay (0700–2200)Night (2200–0700)Notes
Rural Living Zone55 dBA L₁₀45 dBA L₁₀; 70 dBA L(max)Measured at boundary or notional boundary
Minerals Zone55 dBA L₁₀45 dBA L₁₀; 70 dBA L(max)Measured at boundary or notional boundary
Waimate North Zone55 dBA L₁₀45 dBA L₁₀; 70 dBA L(max)Measured at boundary or notional boundary
Point Veronica Zone55 dBA L₁₀45 dBA L₁₀; 70 dBA L(max)Measured at boundary or notional boundary
Conservation Zone55 dBA L₁₀45 dBA L₁₀; 70 dBA L(max)Measured at boundary or notional boundary
General Coastal Zone55 dBA L₁₀45 dBA L₁₀; 70 dBA L(max)Measured at boundary or notional boundary

Keeping of Animals

RuleStandardSetback
Factory farming / kennels / cattery50m minimumFrom any site boundary (general)
Factory farming / kennels / cattery600m minimumFrom Residential/Coastal Residential/Russell Township boundaries
Boarding kennel300m minimumFrom any site boundary (Rural Living Zone)
Factory farming (Waimate North / Point Veronica)Not permittedNo site shall be used for factory farming, boarding/breeding kennel, or cattery

Excavation and Filling — Material Standards

RuleStandard
Fill material compositionSoil, rock, stone, aggregate, gravel, sand, silt, or demolition material only
Putrescible/hazardous contentNot permitted
Pollutant/inflammable contentNot permitted
Vegetation contentMaximum 5% by volume

Outstanding Landscape Standards

RuleValueNotes
Permitted building size25m² GFA maximumExceeding requires resource consent
Building alteration/addition40% of GFAMaximum; must not exceed existing building height
Excavation/filling threshold300m³ per 12 monthsPermitted activity limit
Excavation/filling cut/fill height1.5m maximumIndividual faces; 3m maximum total
Stabilisation requirementMulch/hydroseeding/equivalentFor visible cut/fill areas; other areas revegetated in spring/autumn

National Grid Yard — Excavation and Filling

RuleStandardLocation
Batter stabilityNo unstable batter affecting National Grid supportAnywhere in National Grid Yard
Ground-to-conductor clearanceMinimum clearance per NZCEP34:2001 Table FourAnywhere in National Grid Yard
Depth restriction (around towers)Maximum 300mmWithin 6m of tower

Other zones in Far North