Urban development, subdivision and resource management planning
Subdivision under the RMA
Subdivision is controlled by the Resource Management Act 1991. A subdivision consent is required under s 11, assessed against the district plan and s 104 matters. The surveyor prepares a scheme plan, supports the consent application, and then prepares the CSD to give effect to the consent conditions.
Urban planning tools
The National Policy Statement on Urban Development and the Medium Density Residential Standards drive intensification. District plans set minimum lot sizes, yards, access, servicing and esplanade reserves. Development contributions and reserve contributions are financial conditions, not survey lines, but they affect feasibility.
Worked example
A 1,200 m2 site is subdivided into two lots. The district plan requires a 3 m landscaping strip and a 10% reserve contribution. The surveyor calculates net site area after the strip, checks the minimum lot size, and shows the strip on the scheme plan. The CSD must reflect the approved consent, not an earlier concept plan.
Traps
Assuming RMA consent creates title; ignoring consent conditions in the CSD; missing development contributions; and confusing net site area with gross area. These are common consent and survey errors.