19 May 2025
File Ref: IRC-8390
Jeff
[FYI request #30866 email]
Tēnā koe Jeff
Thank you for your request of 30 April 2025 to Te Kaunihera o Pōneke | Wellington City Council (the
Council) requesting information regarding business activity from a residential property, and noise in a
residential zone
. Your request has been considered under the Local Government Of icial Information
and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA). Please find my response below.
“…please provide a copy of:
- Wellington City Council’s bylaws, policies, or regulatory guidelines relating to the operation
of a private business from a residential property, specifically from a garage.
- The Council’s noise control policy, particularly as it applies to residential areas and industrial
noise.
In the Council’s reply, could you please also advise:
- What types of business activity are permitted in residential zones under the District Plan.
The District Plan (DP) outlines permitted activities and those requiring resource consent. Below are
links to residential zone sections of the DP, indicating allowable activities in each area.
•
Medium Density Residential Zone: 2024 District Plan: Appeals Version - Wellington City 2024
District Plan: Appeals Version
•
High Density Residential Zone: 2024 District Plan: Appeals Version - Wel ington City 2024
District Plan: Appeals Version
•
Large Lot residential Zone: 2024 District Plan: Appeals Version - Wel ington City 2024 District
Plan: Appeals Version
- Whether consent or registration is required to operate a business from a residential property.
The ability to operate a home business depends on meeting specific requirements. For instance, in
the Medium Density Residential Zone, businesses must adhere to certain criteria to be permitted
without needing resource consent. The criteria are outlined in the provided link above. Please see a
relevant excerpt of this information below:
Figure 1.
Medium Density Residential Zone Section ‘MRZ-R3 - Home business’
To determine which zone a property is in, you check th
e ePlan.
- Any restrictions on the frequency, hours, or type of noise (e.g. industrial equipment) that may
be generated by such activity.
The DP establishes permitted levels for noise, which considers the measure of noise and hours of
operation. As required by DP rules, sound levels are measured in accordance with ‘
New Zealand
Standard 6801:2008 Acoustics - Measurement of Environmental Sound’ and are assessed in
accordance with
‘New Zealand Standard 6802:2008 Acoustics – Environmental Noise’.
Copies of these standards are available for purchase at the fol owing links:
•
www.standards.govt.nz/shop/NZS-68012008
•
www.standards.govt.nz/shop/NZS-68022008
Appendix 4 (APP-4) of the DP sets the permitted noise limits for noise generated from activities
undertaken within zones, excluding fixed plant noise which is addressed i
n Appendix 5 (APP-5).
- What steps can be taken by neighbouring residents if industrial-type noise is occurring
regularly from a residential garage over an extended period.
To address noise complaints from industrial activities, you should contact the Council's Acoustic Team
to initiate a formal complaint and fol ow the due process at
[email address].
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- How complaints of this nature are assessed, enforced, and monitored by the Council.”
Complaints regarding noise levels are measured in accordance with New Zealand Standard
6801:2008
Acoustics - Measurement of Environmental Sound and assessed in accordance with New
Zealand Standard 6802:2008
Acoustics - Environmental Noise. Which provides guidance on how to
assess and quantify environmental noise in a standardised way, particularly for the purpose of
managing noise under the Resource Management Act 1991 and local authority rules or consents.
You may also wish to refer to our
Enforcement and Compliance Policy.
If you require further information, please contact
[email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Laura McIlhone
Advisor
Official Information & Privacy
Wel ington City Council
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