Q&A with RPC – Surveying Planning Engineering: “How high can I build?”
Answer from: Paul Harvey, Director / Licensed Cadastral Surveyor | Mount Maunganui Branch Manager / Registered Professional Surveyor, BSurv, MS+SNZ
The answer depends on your property’s location, the ground level defined by the relevant District or City Plan, and the rules that apply to your site. A private land covenant may also restrict what you can build. “There is no single height limit for every property.”
Even if a proposed building meets the maximum height limit, it may still breach a height-in-relation-to-boundary rule because of where it sits on the site.
Accurate survey information helps your architect, designer and planning team assess these constraints. A boundary survey can establish the legal boundaries, while a topographical survey records the site levels needed for design.
Understanding these constraints before finalising your design can help identify potential issues early, reduce the risk of costly redesigns and give you a clearer understanding of what may be achievable on your property.
If you are planning a new build, extension or development, talk to us before finalising your design. We can help identify the surveying, planning and engineering requirements that may affect your project.
Learn more about our services here.
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