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Can my property be subdivided?

All subdivisions need a Subdivision Consent.

Minimum lot sizes

Most zones in the District have a minimum size that a property may be able to be subdivided to as a 'controlled' activity. We must approve applications for ‘controlled’ activity subdivision, but may impose conditions to manage any effects on the environment.

In addition to minimum allotment sizes there are other District wide and in some cases zone specific rules, that apply to subdivision. These rules can mean that approval of your subdivision is not guaranteed.

Minimum allotment sizes for controlled activity subdivision in the rural, residential, commercial (and mixed) and industrial zones are:

Zone	Minimum Net Site Area
Rural Production	20ha
Rural Lifestyle	4,000sqm with an average size of not less than 2ha
Settlement - Centre	Connected to reticulated wastewater = 100m² Not connected to reticulated wastewater = 2,000m²
Settlement - Residential	Connected to reticulated wastewater = 500m² Not connected to reticulated wastewater = 2,000m²
Settlement - Industry	1,000m²
Future Urban	1ha
Strategic Rural Industries	There is no controlled activity subdivision in the Strategic Rural Industries Zone.
Large Lot Residential	Controlled activity subdivision in this zone is based on a maximum allotment size, minimum allotment size for sites connected to a reticulated sewage system, average yield as well as other criteria. Refer rule SUB-R3. If you meet the controlled activity requirement but your property has a 'no residential unit restriction', subdivision of your property may be prohibited, meaning you cannot apply for a subdivision consent. Refer rule SUB-R14.
Low Density Residential	2,000m²
General Residential	Vacant parent site of less than 1ha = 400m² Vacant parent site equal or greater than 1ha = 320m² AND average size of all allotments is 400m².
Medium Density Residential	Unit Title Allotment = 50m² Vacant parent site of less than 1ha = 300m² Vacant parent site equal or greater than 1ha = 240m².
Neighbourhood Centre	Vacant parent site of less than 1ha = 400m² Vacant parent site equal or greater than 1ha = 320m_² AND average size of all allotments is 400m².
Local Centre	Unit Title Allotment = 50m² Other Allotment = 100m²
City Centre	Unit Title Allotment = 50m² Other Allotment = 100m²
Mixed Use	Unit Title Allotment = 50m² Other Allotment = 100m²
Waterfront	Unit Title Allotment = 50m² Other Allotment = 100m²
Commercial Zone	Unit Title Allotment = 50m² Other Allotment = 300m²
Shopping Centre Zone	There is no controlled activity subdivision in the Shopping Centre Zone
Light Industrial	Greater than 500m²
Heavy Industry	Greater than 8,000m²

Other rules to consider

There may be other rules that may impact your Application:

Zone-specific and District Wide rules
National Environmental Standards
The Northland Regional Plan (nrc.govt.nz)

Rural Production Zone subdivisions

If your property is in the Rural Production Zone you may be able to subdivide to a minimum area of 2,000m² by way of a boundary relocation.

A boundary relocation is a form of subdivision that can facilitate the creation of a smaller allotment than would be enabled under the minimum lot size rule.

To be eligible for this you must be able to demonstrate that the subdivision:

relates to adjacent allotments
does not alter the number of allotments
does not cancel existing amalgamation conditions
does not create additional capacity to subdivide as a controlled activity.

Disclaimer

The information on this page provides an indication of District Plan rules which frequently apply to what you can do with your property. They are not a comprehensive list of all rules that might apply to a particular use or development.

The District Plan should be referred to in all cases for a comprehensive list of applicable rules.

The Whangārei District Plan 2022 is operative in part and there are appeals to the Transport Chapter which are not yet resolved.

In resolving outstanding appeals, additional rules may be added to the District Plan which may change what you are permitted to do on your property.

District Plan