Start with the land-use scheme
Every property has a zoning in the municipality's land-use scheme. The scheme lists, for each zone, which uses are permitted outright, which need consent, and which are not allowed at all.
When consent is enough
If your use appears as a consent use in the property's current zone, a consent application is usually the more proportionate route. It leaves the zoning unchanged and often carries conditions.
When rezoning is needed
If the use is not listed for the zone, or the scale of development exceeds what consent can authorise, rezoning may be required.
- Change from residential to business or office use
- Increased density beyond what the zone allows
- Uses that are prohibited in the current zone
Check the title deed too
Title conditions can restrict a use even where zoning permits it. A complete assessment looks at both.
General information only, not legal advice. Requirements differ between municipalities.