Permitted activity guides
On this page: About the guides, Types of rules
About the guides
Under the Resource Management Act many activities require a resource consent unless they're permitted in a plan. In the Waikato, farmers benefit from one of the most permissive regional plans in the country. That's because we've designated many farming activities as 'permitted'. You can carry out permitted activities without a resource consent, as long as you comply with the conditions outlined in the Waikato Regional Plan.
Getting your head around the Waikato Regional Plan permitted activity rules and their conditions can be a challenge. That's why we've put together a series of quick reference guides for the permitted activities most farmers in the region carry out.
The guides cover the key conditions of the permitted activity rules. They also give you the rule numbers so you can easily look them up in the Waikato Regional Plan.
Guide 1 covers:
- farm dairy effluent
- stock in water bodies
- fertiliser and agrichemicals
- bridges
- culverts
- earthworks and vegetation clearance.
Guide 2 covers:
- composting and burning
- dams and damming water
- drain construction and cleaning
- dumps and offal holes
- indoor farming
- lines, cables, pipelines, ropeways and associated structures
- planting and layering near water
- removal or demolition of structures in river and lake beds
- sand and gravel extraction.
Types of rules
If, for any reason, you are unable to comply with the conditions of the permitted activity rules, a resource consent must be obtained. In these circumstances, the activity is either 'controlled', 'discretionary' or 'non-complying'.
There are also activities that are 'prohibited'. Prohibited activities are not allowed to be undertaken and resource consents can't be sought for these activities.
If you are in any doubt about the Waikato Regional Plan rules and how they apply to your farming activities, please call us on 0800 800 402.
This is a guide only
It is not a comprehensive list of all permitted activities or a complete and detailed copy of the conditions of the permitted activity rules.
To ensure you are familiar with all permitted activity rules and their conditions you should use this guide in conjunction with the Waikato Regional Plan.
The Waikato Regional Plan is available on our website. Printed copies of the plan and other associated documents can be ordered online or by calling our freephone 0800 800 401.