How far from a boundary can I build a house?
Under the Christchurch City Plan
For the Living 1 and 2 Zones, the minimum distance from internal boundaries is 1.8m except where there is a living area window, then the minimum distance is 3m on the ground floor and 4m at all other levels. This differs for the Living 3 and 4 Zones. These setbacks may be reduced if the adjoining land is an accessway.
The minimum distance from the road boundary is usually 4.5m in Living Zones 1 and 2, 4B (North Beach) and 4C Zones; 4m in Living 3; and 3m in Living 4A and 4B (Central City) Zones. Where a garage door faces a street or access, a 5.5m setback is required.
The minimum road boundary setback distance can also depend on whether the site is located in a special amenity area (SAM) or other zone , e.g. rural zone.
These rules vary slightly for garages and other accessory buildings, which in most instances can be built closer to internal boundaries.
Under the Banks Peninsula District Plan
Front yard setback:
Side yard setbacks:
How far from a boundary can I build a garage or carport?
Under the Christchurch City Plan
The required set back distance depends on the zoning of the site.
From road boundary or shared access:
- A garage or front of a carport with entry facing the shared access or front boundary generally requires a set back distance of 5.5m.
- A garage/carport with doors or vehicle entrance at right angles to the front boundary generally has a set back distance from the front boundary of 4.5m.
- Additional setback requirements may apply if the garage/carport is to be located within a special amenity area (SAM).
From an internal boundary:
- Accessory buildings , including sleepouts (but not family flats), carports and garages (free-standing or attached), there is no minimum setback distance from an internal boundary. This is provided that the total length of walls or parts of accessory buildings facing, located within 1.8m of each internal boundary, does not exceed 9m in length in the lower density living zones or 10.1m in length in the higher density living zones.
- Accessory buildings also required to be within recession planes (these start at 2.3m above existing ground level at the boundary and vary depending on each boundary orientation). You will need to check recession plane compliance.
Note: Please contact the Duty Planner for further clarification on these requirements.
Under the Banks Peninsula District Plan
From road boundary or shared access:
- Residential zone - garage with doors facing the road 5.5m, otherwise 3m
- Small settlement – garage with doors facing the road 6m, otherwise 4.5m
- Residential conservation - 3m either side of line of sight from buildings on adjoining lots (It is recommended that this is discussed with a planner).
- Papakainga - garage with door facing the road 6m, otherwise 3m
- Rural - 7.5m (20m if fronting state highway).
From internal boundary:
Residential zone – there is no setback for garages with walls up to 6m in length, otherwise the internal setback is the same as the dwelling (i.e. 1.5m or 2m).
Small settlement – there is no setback for garages with walls up to 6m in length, otherwise 3m.
Residential conservation – 1.5m, but may dispense with one setback if written approval from adjoining owner is obtained.
Papakainga – garages with walls up to 6m no setback, otherwise 3m.
Garages may also need to comply with recession planes which are measured from 2m above ground level at 45 degree angle.
Note: The Building Act 2004 states that if it is closer than 1m to the boundary a firewall is required, however there is some provision for a reduction of this for an open sided building (i.e. a carport).
How far from my boundary can I build a deck?
Christchurch City Plan
If the deck is attached to the dwelling in a living zone, it must be set back at least 1.8m from internal boundaries and certain distances from road boundaries (depending upon the City Plan zone requirements).
If the deck is not attached to the dwelling at all the set back distance you can build up to is the boundary, as long the deck does not exceed 9m in length.
If the deck is detached from the dwelling and is greater than 6 squared metres in area then it may be deemed to be an accessory building in which case, in some instances, it can be built right up to the internal boundary of the site. Check with a planner.
If the deck is at first floor level or above, it must be set back at least 4m from internal boundaries and certain distances from road boundaries (depending upon City Plan zone requirements).
The deck must comply with site coverage, height and recession plane requirements applicable to the zone.
Banks Peninsula Proposed District Plan
If a deck is 1 metre or more above existing ground levels, the deck is considered part of the building and must comply with the same setbacks as the building.
Is there a limit on how close to a boundary trees can be planted?
No, not under Council bylaw. Council has no jurisdiction over trees on private land, except where road footpaths, carriageways or public services are affected or where the trees are protected by the Resource Management Act.
I want to build a fence on my property, what do I need to consider?
If you are wanting to build a fence it is wise to plan carefully so that your fence adds to your property rather than detracting from it. The Christchurch Beautifying Association and Christchurch City Council have updated the Thinking about Fencing? [PDF 477KB] information pack to encourage residents and developers to build low, open or no fences to help create friendly streetscapes and build stronger communities.
The information pack contains a range of fencing issues such as:
safety
shared fencing
rules for boundary fencing
fencing materials
living fences
fencing of swimming pools
fencing close to waterways
fencing in new developments.
It also provides details about inexpensive fencing materials and designs, recognising that fences are sometimes needed in urban landscapes to act as buffers against noise and traffic fumes, to provide privacy and to protect children and pets.
The document is also available in individual information sheets below:
If the fence you are wanting to build is a boundary fence between your property and a Council owned park or waterway, the Council will generally share the cost of this. More information and how to claim back the share of the cost is available in the Parks and walkways frequently asked questions.
What are the height restrictions for building a boundary fence?
There are two issues you will need to contact the Council about when you are considering building a boundary fence (there may be a need to apply for a resource consent as well as a building consent):
It is likely that you will need a resource consent for any fence that is over 2m in height (the height includes any trellis you may wish to put on top). It is strongly advised that you speak to a Duty Planner if you intend to build a fence over 2m in height.
You will need a building consent where:
A lightweight fence (wooden paling, metal, trellis etc) is higher than 2.3m in height.
A heavy fence (bricks or blocks) is higher than 2m in height.
The Council requires to know how you intend to build the fence to make sure it is safe. Please contact us to speak to a Duty Consent Officer (building or planning) for advice on how the Council expects the fence to be constructed or log a service request through our online
make a query form.
Can I build a barbed wire or razor wire fence?
The Council Public Places Bylaw 2008 states that barbed wire, razor wire or electrified wire may not be used within 1m of any property boundary adjoining any public place, unless the wire is at a height of 2.5m or more above ground level, or the public place is in a rural area. Internal boundary fences are covered by the Fencing Act 1978.
If the height of the fence is over 2.5m, resource consent may be required. Therefore it is recommended that a Council Planner be consulted.
Can the Council help with boundary fence disputes?
The Council has no jurisdiction over disputes relating to boundary fences. Legal rights and obligations relating to fences are covered by the Fencing Act 1978. If you have a dispute with a neighbour about a fence which you cannot resolve through negotiation (through fencing notices) you can take the matter to the Disputes Tribunal, the District Court or alternatively to a mediation service.
The only occasions when the Council may be involved in fencing issues is when a fence requires a building consent or if a resource consent is required (then the written approval of the affected neighbour is needed also).
What are the requirements for putting up a shade sail?
Under the Christchurch City Plan, for the purposes of the City Plan rules, shade sails which are greater than 6m² in area and/or more than 1.8m in height, are generally treated in the same way that a building is in terms of site coverage and building setbacks and recession planes. However, in some cases where shade sails are not attached to a dwelling in a living zone (and are thus defined as accessory buildings) there may be reduced internal boundary setbacks. You are advised to contact the Duty Planner for further advice.
Under the Banks Peninsula District Plan a shade sail is a building and therefore is required to meet the building setback, recession plane and site coverage rules. If the shade sail is detached from the principle building on the site, it is defined as an accessory building. Contact the Duty Planner at our Lyttelton office for further advice on (03) 941 8999 .
