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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Resource Management Act 1991

Schedule 3B: Policies 3, 4, and 5 of National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (as amended by section 77S(1) of the Act)

You could also call this:

“Rules for building in New Zealand cities and towns, including city centres and smaller towns.”

When you look at cities and towns in New Zealand, you will see different areas with different rules. Policy 3 is about the rules for city centres and other main areas. It says that buildings in these areas should be tall enough to fit lots of people and businesses.

You will see that Policy 3 has some specific rules, like buildings in city centres and main areas should be at least 6 storeys high. It also says that buildings near public transport stops should be tall enough to fit lots of people. Policy 3 is trying to make sure that cities and towns are used in the best way possible.

Policy 4 and Policy 5 are also about the rules for cities and towns. Policy 4 says that the rules can be changed a little bit if there is a good reason to do so. Policy 5 is about the rules for smaller towns and says that buildings should be the right size for the number of people who live and work there, and how easy it is to get around without a car.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS635327.

Topics:
Housing and property > Land use Environment and resources > Town planning
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3BPolicies 3, 4, and 5 of National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (as amended by section 77S(1) of the Act) Empowered by ss 2(1), 77S(1)

Policy 3: In relation to tier 1 urban environments, regional policy statements and district plans enable:

  • in city centre zones, building heights and density of urban form to realise as much development capacity as possible, to maximise benefits of intensification; and
    1. in metropolitan centre zones, building heights and density of urban form to reflect demand for housing and business use in those locations, and in all cases building heights of at least 6 storeys; and
      1. building heights of at least 6 storeys within at least a walkable catchment of the following:
        1. existing and planned rapid transit stops:
          1. the edge of city centre zones:
            1. the edge of metropolitan centre zones; and
            2. within and adjacent to neighbourhood centre zones, local centre zones, and town centre zones (or equivalent), building heights and density of urban form commensurate with the level of commercial activities and community services.

                1. Policy 4: Regional policy statements and district plans applying to tier 1 urban environments modify the relevant building height or density requirements under Policy 3 only to the extent necessary (as specified in subpart 6) to accommodate a qualifying matter in that area.

                Policy 5: Regional policy statements and district plans applying to tier 2 and 3 urban environments enable heights and density of urban form commensurate with the greater of:

              1. the level of accessibility by existing or planned active or public transport to a range of commercial activities and community services; or
                1. relative demand for housing and business use in that location.