The zones explained
What size and zone your land is in will be the main deciding factor when it comes to subdividing land in Auckland, as will your budget – and ability to connect to public infrastructure. The below are general guidelines you can follow for the various zones:
Terrace housing and apartment buildings zone
As the name would suggest this zone enables the greatest intensity of development, allowing terrace housing and apartments from five to seven storeys to be built on these sites. Generally, development plans will be required to accompany a resource consent application.
Mixed housing urban zone
Each proposed vacant lot is required to be a minimum of 300sq metres. You can have smaller lot sizes than 300sq metres, however you will need to provide development plans at resource consent stage. This is a high intensity zone and will allow for houses of up to three storeys, so theoretically you can build anything from a single house right through to apartments. To find out more about what you can do in the mixed housing urban zone please contact us.
Other zones
Mixed housing suburban zone
If you are in a mixed housing suburban zone (currently the most common residential zone), each proposed vacant lot needs to be a minimum of 400sq metres. You can have smaller lot sizes than 400sq metres, however you will need to provide development plans at resource consent stage. This zone allows for flexibility to build townhouses and/or two storey homes.
Single house zone
Each proposed vacant lot is required to be a minimum of 600sq metres and anticipated just one house per section. So generally speaking, you’ll need to have an existing lot of at least 1200sq metres or larger to subdivide into two. As an alternative to – or in some cases, in addition to subdivision, it is also possible to build a minor dwelling in this zone, check with us for the rules on this.
To find out more about your zone and the opportunities please contact our Planning team today. We can help you subdivide your land in Auckland and make the most of your property.
Simplifying subdividing land Auckland
If you have decided to subdivide your land in Auckland, here’s an idea of what comes next:
- Engage the right professionals to help you. As well as arranging finance, you’ll need a surveyor to prepare the scheme plan, and an engineer to make sure your site can be serviced for water, stormwater, wastewater etc. You’ll also need a planner to prepare a subdivision consent application.
- It’s important to understand the feasibility of subdividing your land at the outset. This will give you a better idea of what’s possible and any constraints for your land which may have cost implications, e.g.:
– Site size
– Physical constraints (e.g. stability, protected vegetation, flooding issues, access constraints)
– Available public infrastructure to connect to
– Legal constraints (e.g. interest on Record of Title)
– Yield.
Expert planning from the start
- Our qualified planners can work with you to choose a layout that is cost effective, maximises the lands development potential and ticks both yours and Council requirements ensuring a smooth consenting process.
- They’ll also provide expert advice on subdivision costs, process and timeframes – to avoid nasty surprises further down the track.
- To ensure the subdivision consent process runs smoothly, the consent application needs to contain the correct information to meet the subdivision rules of the Auckland Unitary Plan. Our planners will also ensure that any other consents you need are applied for.
To find out more about subdivision consents and subdividing your land in Auckland please contact our planning team today.
Why is the subdivision process so complex?
The subdivision process can be complicated, whether you’re planning a two-lot subdivision or a large development. There are often land use consents, building consents and engineering approvals to consider, in addition to survey plans, section 223 and 224 approvals, and instruments such as easements and covenants.
Our planners can help you to manage risks and avoid pitfalls along the way. Wondering whether you’ll need to register an easement to allow a new buyer the right to access to a service connection? Or how to protect your view from getting blocked out if you subdivide and sell your rear section? We’re here to help!
Please contact our planning team today to get started with subdividing your land in Auckland.