How the recession plane works
Height in relation to boundary is a sloping plane that rises from a set height at the boundary at a fixed angle. Your building has to sit under it. In the Auckland Unitary Plan the standard is 2.5m and 45 degrees in the Single House and Mixed Housing Suburban zones, and 3m and 45 degrees in Mixed Housing Urban. The tool draws your proposal against that plane and shows the clearance or overshoot.
💡 Homeowner tip: the ground level matters as much as the height. A site that falls away from the boundary gives you more room under the plane; one that rises towards it gives you less.
Please note: this calculates the standard side and rear recession plane only – it does not assess the alternative stepped control, front-boundary rules, or the Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings zone (whose standards are under change through Plan Change 120). It is an indication, not a determination; confirm with a Licensed Building Practitioner or the Auckland Unitary Plan.
Common questions
What is height in relation to boundary?
It is a planning control that limits building height near a boundary using a sloping recession plane – a line rising from a set height at the boundary at a set angle. Buildings must stay below it to protect neighbours’ access to sunlight.
What are the Auckland recession plane standards?
Under the Unitary Plan, the standard side and rear recession plane is 2.5m at 45 degrees in the Single House and Mixed Housing Suburban zones, and 3m at 45 degrees in Mixed Housing Urban. The Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings zone is under change.
Does this replace a planner or architect check?
No. It is a quick indication using the standard plane. It does not handle the stepped alternative, adjoining lower-density zones or overlays – those need a proper assessment as part of your design.
Designing to the recession plane is part of getting a consent through first time. It is one of the things we resolve early in the design.
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