National Policy Statement on Urban Development - Carparking
The new National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (NPSUD) was gazetted by the New Zealand government on 23 July 2020 and came into effect on 20 August 2020. The NPSUD requires councils to plan well for growth and ensure a well-functioning urban environment for all people, communities and future generations.
This includes:
- ensuring urban development occurs in a way that takes into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (te Tiriti o Waitangi)
- ensuring that district and strategic plans make room for growth both ‘up’ and ‘out’, and that rules are not unnecessarily constraining growth
- developing, monitoring and maintaining an evidence base about demand, supply and prices for housing and land to inform planning decisions
- aligning and coordinating planning across urban areas
- changing district plans to implement the NPSUD
Changes to carparking requirements in the District Plan
The NPSUD requires that territorial authorities remove objectives, policies, rules or assessment criteria from their District Plan that have the effect of requiring a minimum number of car parks. This does not apply to accessible car parks nor to parking dimensions or manoeuvring standards if a developer chooses to supply car parks.
Click here to review the public notice dated 28 May 2021.
Although this policy statement relates to urban environments, the Ministry for the Environment has advised that the removal of carparking minimum requirements applies across the whole district and in all zones, whether urban or rural.
Other considerations
Loading/unloading, manoeuvring, car park dimensions
The NPSUD does not affect rules and engineering standards that set minimum dimensions for vehicle manoeuvring and carparking spaces if a developer chooses to supply them. Additionally, other on-site traffic management methods such as parking for vehicles other than cars, or the provision of loading bays, drop-off areas, bus and bike parking are not affected and can continue to have provision made for them in the District Plan.
Physical effects of carparking
The physical effects of carparking, such as location or appearance, visual impacts, effect on stormwater and adjacent activities can continue to be managed through the District Plan.
Accessible parking
The NPSUD does not affect the ability of the District Plan to contain requirements for accessible carparking, including minimum numbers, and specifications like dimensions and other standards. Currently the District Plan does not manage or control accessible carparking instead relying on the Building Act 2004 to ensure that they are provided. Therefore there are no amendments in relation to accessible carparking to be made.
Waipa District Council must implement the objectives and policies in the NPSUD into its planning documents including the District Plan, as well as producing a Future Development Strategy and a Housing and Business Development Capacity Assessment. Council is working on the implementation of the NPSUD over the next 24 months, which is also implemented through the Waikato Future Proof.
- The Ministry for the Environment website provides more detailed information about the NPSUD. Click here
