Making it easier for Aucklanders to collect rainwater

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About the change to the Auckland Unitary Plan

We are currently working to propose a change to the Auckland Unitary Plan that will make it easier for Aucklanders to install a rainwater tank without a resource consent.

Due to changing weather patterns, increasing dry periods and additional stress being put on the water network, we’re looking for ways to encourage Aucklanders to store water and create more water resilient communities.

Rainwater tanks can be used to collect water from the rooftop to use around the property for external uses (watering garden, washing cars), and with the correct plumbing and filters for indoor use (toilet flushing, laundry, drinking water).

What the changes mean for you

Under the current guidelines, the rules for having a rainwater tank are very restrictive. Any tank which is over one metre high is defined as a “building” and must follow “development standard” rules, which if infringed, require a resource consent.

The proposed change will reclassify rainwater tanks so they are no longer defined as a “building” and in most cases will no longer require a resource consent.

Note: this plan change will not affect the requirements for a building consent which may still be required if the property owner plans to connect their tank directly to the household plumbing.

We’re investigating improvements for building consent applications but they are not part of this consultation.

What we want your feedback on

You can have your say on this proposal and we would also like you to help set the guidelines for tanks in relation to height and their placement on residential properties.

When you can have your say

You can have your say from Thursday 27 August 2020 to Wednesday 23 September 2020.

About the change to the Auckland Unitary Plan

We are currently working to propose a change to the Auckland Unitary Plan that will make it easier for Aucklanders to install a rainwater tank without a resource consent.

Due to changing weather patterns, increasing dry periods and additional stress being put on the water network, we’re looking for ways to encourage Aucklanders to store water and create more water resilient communities.

Rainwater tanks can be used to collect water from the rooftop to use around the property for external uses (watering garden, washing cars), and with the correct plumbing and filters for indoor use (toilet flushing, laundry, drinking water).

What the changes mean for you

Under the current guidelines, the rules for having a rainwater tank are very restrictive. Any tank which is over one metre high is defined as a “building” and must follow “development standard” rules, which if infringed, require a resource consent.

The proposed change will reclassify rainwater tanks so they are no longer defined as a “building” and in most cases will no longer require a resource consent.

Note: this plan change will not affect the requirements for a building consent which may still be required if the property owner plans to connect their tank directly to the household plumbing.

We’re investigating improvements for building consent applications but they are not part of this consultation.

What we want your feedback on

You can have your say on this proposal and we would also like you to help set the guidelines for tanks in relation to height and their placement on residential properties.

When you can have your say

You can have your say from Thursday 27 August 2020 to Wednesday 23 September 2020.