Sport And Active Recreation

District plan rules for the Sport And Active Recreation 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.

Sport And Active Recreation — Far North

Overview

The Sport and Active Recreation zone includes sports fields, hard-court areas, recreational and sporting facilities, and associated buildings. The level of development anticipated is higher than the Open Space zone. Most areas are available for informal leisure and recreation activities such as walking, jogging and non-organised sports. The zone may include commercial activities associated with sport and recreation, such as retail merchandise, equipment, and food and beverages.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum height8m above ground levelExceptions: solar/water heating (0.5m), chimney (1.2m width × 1m height), satellite/aerial (1m), architectural features (1m)
Height in relation to boundary55° at 2m northern; 45° at 2m eastern/western; 35° at 2m southernRecession planes measured inward from boundary; exceptions for solar, chimney, satellite, aerials, architectural features
Setback (from property boundaries)1.2m minimumExcept 3m minimum from road boundary
Setback exceptionsFences/walls ≤2m; uncovered decks ≤0.5mThese do not require setback compliance
Setback from MHWS26m minimumFor buildings or structures
Building or structure coverage8% maximumOf site area
Impermeable surface coverage10% maximumOf site area

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatusConditions
Recreation activityPermitted
Park management activityPermitted
Sport and recreation facilityPermitted
Community facilityPermitted
Conservation activityPermitted
Maintenance of tracksPermitted
Vegetation plantingPermitted
Customary activityPermitted
Commercial activityPermittedMax 40m² GFA; 8am–6pm Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm weekends/public holidays; ancillary to recreation activity
New buildings or structures; extensions/alterationsPermittedMust comply with all standards (SARZ-S1 through SARZ-S5) and accommodate permitted activity
Impermeable surface coveragePermittedMax 10% of site

Discretionary / Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatus
Visitor accommodationDiscretionary
Camping groundDiscretionary
Educational facilityDiscretionary
Activities not otherwise listedDiscretionary
Residential activityDiscretionary
Industrial activityDiscretionary
Motorsport activityDiscretionary
Mineral extraction activityDiscretionary
Offensive tradeDiscretionary
Commercial compostingDiscretionary
Community corrections activityDiscretionary
LandfillDiscretionary

Noise Standards

RuleLimitNotes
Noise in Sport and Active Recreation zone (internal)7am–10pm: 50 dB LAeq (15min); 10pm–7am: 40 dB LAeq (15min); 10pm–7am: 70 dB LAFmaxAt any point within another site in the zone

Matters of Discretion for Standard Non-Compliance

Maximum Height (SARZ-S1)

  • Character and amenity of surrounding environment
  • Dominance in relation to road and adjoining sites
  • Loss of privacy to adjoining sites
  • Shading and loss of access to sunlight
  • Landscaping
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints

Height in Relation to Boundary (SARZ-S2)

  • Loss of privacy to adjoining sites
  • Shading and loss of access to sunlight to adjoining sites and outdoor areas
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints

Setback (SARZ-S3)

  • Character and amenity of surrounding area
  • Screening, planting and landscaping on site
  • Design and siting with respect to privacy and shading
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints
  • Effectiveness of stormwater control method
  • Safety and efficiency of current or future access, egress and roading network
  • Impacts on existing and planned public walkways, reserves and esplanades

Setback from MHWS (SARZ-S4)

  • Natural character of coastal environment
  • Screening, planting and landscaping on site
  • Design and siting with respect to dominance on adjoining public space
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints
  • Effectiveness of stormwater control method
  • Impacts on existing and planned roads, public walkways, reserves and esplanades

Building or Structure Coverage (SARZ-S5)

  • Character and amenity of surrounding area
  • Landscaping, planting and screening to mitigate adverse effects
  • Extent private open space can be provided for future uses
  • Extent to which siting, setback and design mitigate visual dominance
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints

Impermeable Surface Coverage (SARZ-R2)

  • Extent landscaping or vegetation may reduce adverse effects of run-off
  • Effectiveness of stormwater control method on site
  • Availability of land for effluent and stormwater disposal without adverse effects on adjoining waterbodies or sites
  • Whether low impact design methods and green spaces can be used
  • Cumulative effects on total catchment impermeability
  • Natural hazard mitigation and site constraints
  • Extent of potential adverse effects on cultural, spiritual, heritage and/or amenity values of affected waterbodies

Key Objectives and Policies

Objectives

  • SARZ-O1: The Sport and Active Recreation zone is predominantly used for recreation activity
  • SARZ-O2: Buildings or structures complement and are consistent with zone purpose and provide for social and cultural wellbeing

Policies

  • SARZ-P1: Enable indoor and outdoor activities compatible with zone purpose, including recreation and temporary events
  • SARZ-P2: Provide for single and multi-sport facilities and commercial ancillary activities where these enhance use, avoid/remedy/mitigate adverse effects on adjacent residential zones, and provide community benefit
  • SARZ-P3: Avoid land use and subdivision compromising establishment and continuing use for sport and recreation
  • SARZ-P4: Manage effects of land use and subdivision considering: consistency with scale/density/design/character; building location/scale/design; public benefit; setbacks/fencing/screening at interfaces; adverse effects on adjacent zones; consistency with reserve management plans; effects on public access; infrastructure adequacy; natural hazard management; and impacts on heritage, natural features, landscapes, biodiversity, and tangata whenua values

Cross-Zone Interface Standards

When a Sport and Active Recreation zone adjoins other zones, the following apply:

Adjacent ZoneStandardApplies To
General Residential, Rural Residential, Rural Lifestyle, Māori Purpose, Open Space, Natural Open Space3m setback minimumMixed Use zone buildings
General Residential, Rural-Residential, Māori Purpose, Open Space, Natural Open Space3m setback minimum; max 2m fence/wall heightLight Industrial zone buildings
General Residential, Rural Residential, Rural Lifestyle, Māori Purpose, Open Space, Natural Open SpaceRecession plane (55°/45°/35°)Mixed Use zone height in relation to boundary
General Residential, Rural-Residential, Māori Purpose, Open Space, Natural Open SpaceRecession plane (55°/45°/35°)Light Industrial zone height in relation to boundary

Note: District-Wide Matters rules in Part 2 of the District Plan may apply in addition to these zone rules and may be more stringent. Natural Character chapter rules for wetland, lake and river margins apply in addition to zone chapter rules. Always refer to complete District Plan for comprehensive compliance assessment.

Other zones in Far North