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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 Cities"

Illustration for Resource Management Act 1991

You are looking at rules about urban development. These rules are part of the Resource Management Act 1991. They help decide how buildings can be developed in cities. The rules are called Policies 3, 4, and 5. You need to know what these policies say. Policy 3 is about building heights and density in city centres and other areas. It says buildings should be at least 6 storeys high in some areas. This is to make the most of the space and allow for more housing and businesses. Policy 4 and 5 are about how these rules can be applied in different areas. Policy 4 says the rules can be modified if needed, as outlined in subpart 6. Policy 5 is about allowing buildings that fit with the area's transport and demand for housing and businesses.

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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.

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Topics:
Environment and resources > Town planningHousing and property > Land useHousing and property > Buying and selling homes
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Schedule 3A: MDRS to be incorporated by specified territorial authorities, or

"Rules for Building and Using Land in Your Area"

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Schedule 3C: Alternative intensification provisions for Auckland and Christchurch, or

"Rules for building and growing in Auckland and Christchurch"

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.

                    1.