Can I subdivide?

There are many factors to consider here, the first one being the size of the property that you wish to subdivide. The District Plan for your area contains rules relating to subdivision, including the minimum size allowed for a site. To obtain the information relating to your property, the zone that it is in, and the rules that apply, we suggest you go to your local Council or a consultant. Each zone has different provisions relating to the effects of developing land within that zone.

There may be things on the site that will restrict the subdivision boundaries such as houses, accessory buildings, access-ways and plantings.

If a site is to be subdivided access will be required. You need to determine whether the access is suitable for an increase in traffic or whether it will need to be upgraded. If there is no access you will need to identify positions on the property where an access could be formed.

Another relevant factor is the provision of services to the site. This includes water, telephone and electricity connections, sewage discharge systems and stormwater systems. If services are already present you need to determine whether they have the capacity to deal with the proposed activity. If the site has no services you need to ascertain whether connections are available from the Council system.

The cost factor also needs to be considered. The cost will vary depending on the extent of your proposed activity and the relevant Council requirements. For example, if you only require subdivision consent the cost will be less than if you also need land-use consent.

Davis Ogilvie can provide a subdivision appraisal which will tell you whether your property has subdivision potential. Further to this, we can carry out a site visit and provide a full assessment of your property. This will provide you with possible subdivision options, tell you what alterations may have to be made to any existing buildings and whether any resource consents will be required, and advise you on the likely cost of subdivision. If you then wish to proceed, we can make an application to Council to subdivide your land.