Christchurch City Council — Property Due Diligence Guide
Christchurch City Council manages New Zealand's second-largest city, with a population of approximately 395,000. The city has undergone massive transformation since the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes, which significantly impacted the property landscape.
Quick Facts
Useful Links
How to Order a LIM Report
You can order a Christchurch City Council LIM online through their website. Standard processing takes 10 working days, with an urgent option available for faster turnaround.
Christchurch LIMs have unique earthquake-related information not found in other cities, including land damage categories (Technical Categories TC1, TC2, TC3), Increased Flood Vulnerability Area (IFVA) status, and any earthquake-related building assessments.
Post-earthquake, Christchurch LIMs are particularly detailed and critical for understanding a property's history and any ongoing risks.
District Plan Zones
Christchurch operates under the Christchurch District Plan (fully operative). Key zones include:
- Residential: Residential Suburban, Residential Suburban Density Transition, Residential Medium Density, Residential New Neighbourhood
- Commercial: Commercial Core, Commercial Local, Commercial Retail Park
- Special: Specific Purpose zones for hospitals, schools, and other facilities
The post-earthquake District Plan increased density provisions in many areas and created new zones for rebuild areas.
Natural Hazards
Post-earthquake Christchurch has detailed hazard mapping:
- Earthquakes: Canterbury remains seismically active. Foundation requirements vary by Technical Category (TC1, TC2, TC3).
- Liquefaction: Significant areas of Christchurch are susceptible to liquefaction, particularly in eastern suburbs.
- Flooding: Increased flood vulnerability in areas where land subsided during earthquakes.
- Coastal erosion: Relevant for properties near the coast, particularly in areas affected by land settlement.
Building Consent & Code Compliance
Building consent in Christchurch accounts for the post-earthquake environment. Foundation design requirements vary by Technical Category:
- TC1: Standard foundations (similar to pre-earthquake)
- TC2: Enhanced foundations required
- TC3: Site-specific geotechnical investigation required
Building consent processing targets 20 working days. Pre-application meetings are available for complex projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Technical Categories (TC1, TC2, TC3)?
Technical Categories classify land based on earthquake damage and future risk. TC1 means standard foundations are adequate. TC2 requires enhanced foundations. TC3 requires site-specific geotechnical investigation. The category is shown on the LIM report.
Is the Residential Red Zone still relevant?
The Residential Red Zone refers to areas where the government purchased properties after the earthquakes due to severe land damage. Most Red Zone land has been cleared and is being repurposed for recreation or regeneration. It remains relevant for understanding the history of surrounding areas.
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