Summary of new rules and what you can influence
Councils can’t restrict the government’s new housing rules, but can adjust some of the building and development rules to ensure the best possible housing and environmental outcomes for their residents. Below is a summary of the new rules and where it is possible for Council to have some influence.
| What must be included in the District Plan | What can be influenced |
|
For most residential areas, three dwellings per site and buildings of at least three storeys must be allowed (no resource consent required).This is subject to meeting the rules for:
|
Whether buildings of more than three storeys should be allowed without resource consent. This could encourage more development in areas with good facilities and infrastructure. Whether a certain amount of landscaping should be required on residential sites. Hutt City does not currently regulate landscaping but could require up to 20% of the site to be grass or plants. Whether a certain percentage of the building façade to be windows. Hutt City does not currently have rules for this but may choose to require up to 20% of walls facing the street to have windows. Whether any of the other development rules should be changed to permit more development |
| For areas within a walkable distance of train stations, the CBD and the Petone commercial areas, residential buildings of at least six storeys must be allowed (although resource consent may be required). |
What is considered a walkable distance to and from Lower Hutt’s train stations, the CBD and Petone commercial areas. Whether this distance is the same in every direction or should it be different due to differences in terrain, traffic or accessibility etc. Whether buildings of four storeys or more in these areas are required to obtain a resource consent although the resource consent application would not be able to be open to public comment. |
| For other areas surrounding suburban centres (such as Avalon, Eastbourne, Moera, Stokes Valley and Wainuiomata suburban centres) building height and density must reflect the level of access to community facilities and commercial services. For example, if a surburban centre has very limited transport links and commercial activity, six-storey housing would not likely be suited to the area. |
The building heights and densities that make sense in areas near our suburban centres, when considering the level of access to community facilities and services. |
Council is also looking at the following:
- The contribution that developers should make because of the extra demands on infrastructure and community facilities, including parks and water, stormwater and sewerage pipes.
- Other rules that should be added to the District Plan to support the increase in development (such as standards on stormwater management and earthworks).
We are also interested in your views on these matters.
In addition, Council is working directly with Mana Whenua on how the District Plan can be amended to provide for papakāinga housing, and what impact this new law may have on sites of cultural significance, marae and urupā (cemetaries or burial sites). Papakāinga are multi-dwelling developments that are established by, or in collaboration with Māori that reflect the customs and values associated with traditional living practices.
To have your say on the new rules please fill out the feedback form.
Consultation has concluded
