The Auckland Unitary Plan
The Auckland Unitary Plan is the council’s rulebook for land use. It became operative in 2016. Every property has a zone, which sets the basic rules, and some also have overlays, precincts or controls that change them.
Find the zone for any address with our zoning check.
The main residential zones
| Zone | Homes per section | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Single House | One house, plus a minor dwelling | About 2 storeys (8 m) |
| Mixed Housing Suburban | Up to 3 without resource consent | About 2 storeys (8 m) |
| Mixed Housing Urban | Up to 3 without consent; more with consent | About 3 storeys (11 m) |
| Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings | Apartments and terraces, with consent | About 5 storeys (16 m), more in places |
| Large Lot | One house on a large section | About 2 storeys (8 m) |
These are general limits. Each zone also has rules about how close you can build to the boundary, how much of the section you can cover, and how much sun neighbours keep. A planner can tell you what’s possible on a particular section.
Check everything for one address, free
Flooding, the coast, land stability, zoning, planning rules and school zones, on one page. The full report with what to do next is $29.
See a sample reportWhy your neighbours’ zone matters too
If you’re buying in a Mixed Housing Urban or Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings zone, the houses around you can be replaced by townhouses or apartments. That can mean more neighbours, less privacy and less sun, but also more value in the land.
If you want a quiet street of houses, look for Single House or Mixed Housing Suburban zones, and check the zones of neighbouring sections too.
Overlays: rules on top of the zone
- Special character areas protect streets of older villas and bungalows. See special character areas.
- Historic heritage protects listed buildings and places.
- Notable trees can’t be removed or heavily cut back without consent.
- Volcanic viewshafts limit height to protect views of Auckland’s volcanic cones.
- Significant ecological areas protect native bush and habitats.
Proposed changes
Auckland Council is consulting on changes to housing rules (Plan Change 120) to allow more homes near town centres and rapid transport. Some areas keep stricter rules because of qualifying matters, such as flood risk, heritage, or limits on water and wastewater capacity. Our zoning check shows the proposal for an address where the council has published one.
Questions
What is a minor dwelling?
A small second home on the same section, such as a granny flat. The Unitary Plan limits its size, and it usually can’t be sold separately.
Can I subdivide my section?
It depends on the zone, the section size and shape, access, and any overlays. Talk to a planner or surveyor before you buy if your plans depend on it.