Tasman District Council — Property Due Diligence Guide
Tasman District Council is a unitary authority governing the Tasman region at the top of the South Island, with a population of approximately 56,000. The district stretches from Golden Bay and Farewell Spit in the northwest to the Nelson Lakes in the south, encompassing diverse landscapes from coastal settlements to mountain valleys.
Quick Facts
Useful Links
How to Order a LIM Report
You can order a Tasman District Council LIM online through their website. Standard processing takes 10 working days, with an urgent option available for faster turnaround.
Tasman LIMs cover building consents, resource consents, rates, zoning under the Tasman Resource Management Plan, flood risk, coastal hazards, and contaminated land. Given the district's diverse terrain, pay close attention to natural hazard overlays, particularly in coastal and river-adjacent areas.
As a unitary authority, Tasman LIMs may include regional consent information that would be held by a separate regional council in other parts of New Zealand.
District Plan Zones
Tasman operates under the Tasman Resource Management Plan (TRMP). Key residential zones include:
- Residential Zone: Standard residential areas in Richmond, Motueka, and other towns
- Rural Residential Zone: Lifestyle blocks on the rural-urban fringe
- Rural 1, 2, and 3 Zones: Different levels of rural land use
- Coastal Environment Area: Overlay with additional rules for coastal properties
The TRMP is being reviewed. Richmond has seen significant residential growth and subdivision activity as the main commercial centre for the wider Nelson-Tasman area.
Natural Hazards
Tasman district faces several natural hazards:
- Flooding: River flooding is the primary hazard, particularly from the Motueka, Waimea, and Takaka rivers. The Waimea Plains are subject to flood risk.
- Coastal erosion and inundation: Relevant for properties along the extensive coastline, including Ruby Bay and Mapua.
- Land instability: Hillside areas, particularly around the Takaka Hill and in the Moutere Hills, can be susceptible to slips.
- Earthquakes: The region sits near the Alpine Fault and is subject to seismic risk, though generally lower than Wellington.
Building Consent & Code Compliance
Building consent is processed by Tasman District Council's Building Team. Standard processing targets 20 working days.
The district's mix of coastal, rural, and residential properties means building requirements can vary significantly. Coastal setback rules and flood-level requirements may affect building design in low-lying areas. Richmond and Motueka are the main areas of new residential development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council?
Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council are separate unitary authorities. Tasman covers the wider rural and coastal areas surrounding Nelson city, including Richmond, Motueka, Golden Bay, and the Abel Tasman coast. Nelson City Council covers Nelson city itself. Both are unitary authorities handling regional and territorial functions.
What should I know about buying coastal property in Tasman?
Coastal properties in Tasman may be subject to coastal hazard overlays including erosion and inundation risk. The council has mapped coastal hazard zones — check the LIM and district plan maps carefully. Some areas like Ruby Bay have experienced notable coastal erosion.
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