G-03 Glossary term

Permitted activity

Something the planning rules allow without resource consent, provided every stated requirement is met.

Plain-language definition

Definition of Permitted activity

Something the planning rules allow without resource consent, provided every stated requirement is met.

The answer first

A permitted activity can go ahead without resource consent because the Resource Management Act, a national regulation or a council plan allows it. The permission lasts only while the proposal complies with all relevant requirements, conditions and permissions.

“Permitted” answers only the planning gate

Gate 1

Building Act

Separate check required

Building consent or the Schedule 1A exemption must be assessed independently.

Gate 2

Planning rules

Every rule must be met

No resource consent is required only while all relevant planning requirements are satisfied.

A permitted-activity conclusion is not a general council approval.

No application does not mean no homework

Think of a permitted activity like travelling with the right ticket. You do not need to ask for a special exception at the gate, but the ticket works only for the trip printed on it.

Leilani plans a 66 square metre detached home behind her house in Porirua. A friend says, “It is under 70 square metres, so it is permitted.” That is too quick. She still needs an accurate site plan and must check the zone, national standards, retained local and regional rules, hazards, infrastructure and earthworks.

The permitted-activity test

  1. 01/

    Is the national rule available here?

    The NES-DMRU permits one DMRU per site in residential, rural, mixed-use and Māori-purpose zones. Another zone does not get that national route.

  2. 02/

    Does the design meet the national standards?

    Confirm the relevant floor-area, building-coverage and setback standards in regulation 6. A district plan may sometimes be more lenient, but the exact rule must be checked.

  3. 03/

    Which local rules still apply?

    District-plan rules can remain for subdivision, earthworks, hazards, health and safety, site-specific infrastructure, papakāinga and non-residential use. Applicable regional-plan rules also remain.

  4. 04/

    Does the evidence match the final proposal?

    Boundary locations, existing footprints, proposed setbacks and earthworks must be measured correctly. If the design changes, the check needs to change with it.

A small change can change the answer

Leilani’s first layout sits 2.2 metres from the rear boundary. During pricing, the builder rotates the flat to save on drainage. The closest corner now sits 1.7 metres from the boundary.

The project has not become illegal automatically, but it may no longer meet the NES-DMRU residential setback standard. The next step is to see whether a more lenient district-plan rule applies. If it does not, resource consent must be sought under the relevant district-plan provisions.

What proof should you keep?

RecordWhy it matters
Dated site plan and measurementsShows the geometry used for the check.
Zone and plan versionRecords which rules were relied on.
Compliance scheduleLists each applicable rule and how the design meets it.
Professional or council advicePreserves the specialist inputs relied on.
Final designConfirms later changes were rechecked.
Source: Ready to Build editorial checklist based on NES-DMRU requirementsThere is no standard council certificate issued merely because an activity is permitted. Good records help show why resource consent was not required.