Permitted Activity

Under the Resource Management Act 1991, a permitted activity is one that complies with all the rules and standards in the relevant plan and can be carried out without needing resource consent. This is the simplest activity status — if your project meets all the permitted activity standards, you can proceed without applying to council for planning approval.

For example, building a single house on a residentially zoned property is typically a permitted activity, provided the house complies with all the zone standards for height, setbacks, site coverage, and other bulk and location rules. You'll still need a building consent, but you won't need resource consent.

The key point is that you must meet all the standards. If your project breaches even one standard — say the building is 10 centimetres too close to the boundary — it's no longer a permitted activity and you'll need resource consent for the infringement.

Permitted activity status is the most favourable for property owners because it provides certainty. You know you can do it, and neighbours can't object through the resource consent process.

Understanding what is permitted on a property tells you what you can do without the cost, delay, and uncertainty of resource consent. Before buying, check the zone rules to see what the permitted activity standards allow — particularly for building height, site coverage, and the number of dwellings.

If your plans for the property go beyond what's permitted, you'll need resource consent, which adds cost and uncertainty. Factor this into your purchase decision.

Check the relevant zone chapter in the district plan (available on the council's website). The rules will list the permitted activity standards for each zone. Use the council's online planning maps to confirm which zone applies to the property.

For a quick check, contact the council's duty planner with your proposal — they can tell you whether it's likely to be a permitted activity or whether resource consent will be needed.