Controlled Activity

A controlled activity is one step up from a permitted activity in the Resource Management Act's activity classification system. You need to apply for resource consent, but the council cannot decline your application — it must grant consent. The council's discretion is limited to imposing conditions on the specific matters over which it has reserved control.

For example, a subdivision in a residential zone might be classified as a controlled activity with council retaining control over matters like lot sizes, access, and infrastructure connections. The council must grant the subdivision but can impose conditions on these specific matters.

Controlled activity status gives applicants a high degree of certainty. You know the consent will be granted — the only question is what conditions will be attached. This makes it significantly less risky than discretionary or non-complying activity status.

Controlled activity applications are typically non-notified, meaning neighbours don't get a say. Processing is usually faster and cheaper than other consent types.

If your plans for a property require a controlled activity consent, you can proceed with confidence that consent will be granted — though conditions may affect the cost or design. This is important to understand when assessing the development potential of a property.

Check the district plan to see which activities are classified as controlled in the relevant zone, and what matters the council has reserved control over. This tells you the scope of conditions that could be imposed.

The district plan's zone rules specify which activities are classified as controlled and what matters council has reserved control over. Your council's online planning portal or duty planner service can confirm the activity status for your specific proposal.