District Plan
The District Plan controls the way land is used and subdivided in the District and what natural and cultural features should be protected.
View the District Plan
We are operating under two District Plans - the Operative in part District Plan (2024) and the Operative District Plan (2010). The Operative in part District Plan (2024) has sections subject to appeal and these are highlighted in red text in the Plan. This is to indicate that the Operative District Plan (2010) rules may still apply and, in this instance, please contact Customer Service 07 868 0200 for further guidance.
The District Plan Portal houses the following tools that will help you access and navigate the District Plans:
E-Plan
An electronic version of both the Operative District Plan (2010) and the Operative in part District Plan (2024) which are searchable and printable. Click here to go to "The Plans".
Line of Enquiry
An easy step-by-step process, Line of Enquiry searches the Operative in part District Plan (2024) using a property address or a zone as a starting point. The relevant "rules" are then extracted and provided in a printable document, e.g. rules for building a house, subdividing a property or rules that apply to a zone or overlay. Line of Enquiry also shows the Planning Maps for the selected property generated in SMART MAPS. Click here to search on a Property or Zone.
SMART Maps
SMART Maps is TCDC's web mapping application that allows you to explore a collection of focused maps (3Waters, Community, Property, Planning, Civil Defence) that contain a wealth of spatial data. Click here to access SMART Maps.
District Plan Review Timeline
The links in the timeline will take you to information and documents relevant to each stage of the review.
| Current Phase |
Without prejudice meetings, Environment Court assisted mediations and hearings |
| Current Annotated Version |
Operative in part District Plan (2024) |
| June 2018 |
s293 consultation - CEL & NCO publicly notified |
| June 2018 |
Variation 2 - Whitianga Airfield Decision notified |
| August 2017 |
Variation 2 - Whitianga Airfield publicly notified |
| July 2016 |
Proposed District Plan Appeals Version released |
| June 2016 |
Appeals Closed |
| April 2016 |
Council's decisions on submissions publicly notified |
| January 2016 |
Further submission period on Variation 1 closed |
| December 2015 |
Submissions on Variation 1 closed |
| November 2015 |
Variation 1 - Natural Character publicly notified |
| March 2015 |
Natural Character provisions withdrawn |
| September 2014 |
Hearings started |
| May 2014 |
Further Submissions closed |
| March 2014 |
Submission period closed |
| December 2013 |
Proposed District Plan publicly notified |
| January 2013 |
Comments closed on Draft District Plan |
| October 2012 |
Draft District Plan released for comment |
| April 2012 |
Operative District Plan sealed |