Remuera Zone Maps

Under the Auckland Unitary Plan, different zones enable or restrict different types of uses and development.
The most common residential zones include:

- Residential – Single House Zone (SHZ);
- Residential – Mixed Housing Suburban Zone (MHS); and

- Residential – Mixed Housing Urban Zone (MHU).

What do these zones mean?

Residential – Single House Zone (SHZ)
In the SHZ, you typically see one standalone dwelling of one or two stories in height. This zone’s the most restrictive compared to the Mixed Housing Suburban and Mixed Housing Urban zones- higher density developments are not anticipated here.

Although this zone does not permit more than one dwelling on a site, you could establish a minor dwelling. Minor dwellings, being a smaller secondary dwelling under 65m2, do not require resource consent on the basis that the relevant standards are complied with. You would however have to pay development contributions (you can estimate these using Auckland Council’s online calculator).

Residential – Mixed Housing Suburban Zone (MHS zone)
The Mixed Housing Suburban zone provides for higher density development compared to the Single House Zone, and anticipates changes in residential character and amenity, which are largely managed by the development standards applying in the zone and assessment when resource consent is required. Three dwellings meeting the applicable Unitary Plan rules and standards are permitted, with resource consent required for more than three. The MHS zone is the most widespread residential zone in Auckland. Development in this zone will generally be two storey detached and attached housing in a variety of types and sizes to provide housing choice. This could include small scale terraced housing developments, duplexes or standalone dwellings.

Residential – Mixed Housing Urban Zone (MHU zone)
The MHU zone also provides for higher density development compared to the Single House Zone, and anticipates significant changes in residential character and amenity compared to what’s existing in many locations. Three dwellings meeting the applicable Unitary Plan rules and standards are permitted, with resource consent required for more than three.

This zone provides for a greater intensity of development, with development generally up to three storeys in height, in a variety of typologies and sizes, including detached dwellings, townhouses and low-rise apartments.

Main Differences

Single House Zone vs the others
The main difference between the Single House Zone and the other two zones is that only one dwelling is permitted in this zone, whereas up to three dwellings are permitted, subject to meeting the applicable rules and standards, in the Mixed Housing Suburban and Mixed Housing Urban zones. The Single House Zone is applied to areas of established residential neighbourhoods where it seeks to maintain and enhance their amenity values and ensure development is consistent with a suburban built character of one to two storey dwellings, rather than providing for higher density residential development, as provided for in the other two zones.

Mixed Housing Suburban vs Mixed Housing Urban
The main difference between the Mixed Housing Suburban and the Mixed Housing Urban is the intensity of development anticipated. The Mixed Housing Urban Zone expects a higher intensity of development compared to the Mixed Housing Suburban Zone. The MHU zone enables taller buildings, up to three storeys high and in a variety of sizes and forms, including detached dwellings, terrace housing and low-rise apartments. Whilst the Mixed Housing Suburban Zone also provides for intensification, a suburban built character must be retained. The MHU zone also allows buildings to be built slightly closer to the road and expects more of the site to be covered in buildings and requires less landscaping. Both of the zones still however expect a similar degree of on-site amenity, with outdoor living space, outlook space and daylight Standards being very similar. This will ensure that developments in both zones provide a quality outcome for residents of the site, adjoining sites and the neighbourhood.

What are the similarities between the zones?

SHZ vs MHS zone
The SHZ and MHS zones both provide for dwellings of similar heights and scale, including the permitted height and height in relation to boundary standards. However, the Mixed Housing Suburban zone anticipates higher intensity development compared to the Single House Zone, including more building coverage, meaning more of the site can be covered in buildings. Their differences have been discussed above.

MHS vs MHU zones
In terms of the similarities between the MHS and MHU zones, up to three dwellings are permitted in these zones, if the development complies with all the relevant development standards. This means you do not need to obtain resource consent, provided that your development also meets the Auckland-wide standards (such as earthworks, transportation, natural hazards).

Resource consents are required for four or more dwellings in the MHS and MHU zones, where the Council will be assessing the bulk and scale of the development, traffic, parking and access, and infrastructure and servicing. A higher level of intensity, taller buildings and more built form on the site is enabled in the Mixed Housing Urban zone as compared to the Mixed Housing Suburban zone.

You should seek the assistance of a planner for planning advice on your development design and resource consent application. If you would like to find out more, or have a development in mind, you can contact Planning Plus at hello@planningplus.co.nz or (09) 427 9966.

Planning Plus has over 60 years of experience in resource consenting, with over 35 years processing resource consents for Councils. We know the process inside out! With our 100% success rate, you can trust us with our planning advice. We look forward to hearing from you!

Disclaimer
The information above is general in nature. We recommend you get your own planning advice. This information is preliminary in nature only and we have used our best endeavours to ensure it is correct at the time of writing it is subject to change as the planning rules do change over 􀆟me. It is not intended to substitute for your own investigations or obtaining specific advice from professionals. Planning Plus Ltd TM is not liable in any way for any errors or omissions. Please also confirm the status of the Proposed Plan Change 78 and the Medium Density Residential Standards, as these
may have an impact on your property’s zoning and the standards that may apply.
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