The following local authorities in this region have rules or guidance relating to medium-density housing: Kāpiti Coast District, Lower Hutt City, Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City and Wellington Region.
- Kāpiti Coast District
- Lower Hutt City
- Porirua City
- Upper Hutt City
- Wellington City
- Wellington Region
Kāpiti Coast District
This guide seeks to inform best practice in the planning and design of MDH and covers site design, building components, amenity values and character.
Operative Kāpiti Coast District Plan 2021
The Proposed Kāpiti Coast District Plan became the Operative Kāpiti Coast District Plan on 30 June 2021. National planning standards amendments also apply from 30 June 2021
Lower Hutt City
This resource identifies the rules for the Hutt City general residential area including MDH.
Hutt City medium-density design guide
The medium density design guide promotes good design to achieve high-quality built environments with high levels of amenity while providing for growth in a developing city. The guide applies to the general residential, medium-density residential and suburban mixed-use zones.
Porirua City
Porirua City district plan – suburban
This document identifies the various areas of the Porirua suburban zone including MDH and the relevant rules and standards including density, outdoor living, site coverage and parking.
Upper Hutt City
Upper Hutt district plan – residential
This document defines the residential zones in Upper Hutt including MDH and identifies relevant rules including a design guide for comprehensive residential development.
Upper Hutt urban design guide – MDH and CRDs
The purpose of this guide is to provide urban design guidance to inform the design of new comprehensive and/or medium-density residential development that is of a high quality and responds to the Upper Hutt context. Such development includes townhouses as well as terraced and multi-unit housing.
Wellington City
Wellington district plan – residential area rules
This document identifies relevant rules for Wellington residential areas including MDH.
Wellington district plan – residential design guide
This document provides design assessment criteria for developments subject to resource consent. In particular, it applies to a range of development scenarios outlined in the Wellington Residential Area Rules.
Wellington district plan – MDH in Johnsonville
This document describes design considerations for MDH in the Johnsonville area including built form, setbacks, fences, landscaping and parking.
A Spatial Plan for Wellington City
He Mahere Mokowā mō Pōneke / A Spatial Plan for Wellington City sets out a plan of action for where and how the city should grow and develop over the next 30 years. It was adopted by Council on 24 June 2021. The full Plan is available online. There is a summary document that is also available in te reo Māori and a printable PDF version of the full plan.
Wellington Region
Wellington Regional Growth Framework
The Wellington Regional Growth Framework is being developed with input from Wellington/Wairarapa/Horowhenua local government, central government and iwi partners. The framework looks at how housing can be provided for an additional 200,000 people in the next three decades. Medium-density and high-density housing are key elements.