How many houses can I build on my section in Auckland?

Step 1: the zone sets the starting number

Single House (H3): one home, plus a granny flat of up to 70m² under the national rules. More than one main home needs consent and isn't usually expected.

Mixed Housing Suburban (H4) and Mixed Housing Urban (H5): up to three homes without resource consent for the number of homes, if they meet the zone standards. Four or more need resource consent.

Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings (H6): every new home needs resource consent, but the zone is set up for higher numbers.

Step 2: check what physically fits

Site coverage caps the ground floor: 40% of the site in H4, 45% in H5 and 50% in H6. Impervious surfaces (roofs plus driveways and paving) are capped at 60% in H4 and H5 and 70% in H6, which often limits parking and driveways more than the buildings do.

Height limits and recession planes then shape how many floors you get near each boundary. Narrow or odd-shaped sites lose more floor area to these rules.

Step 3: check the title and the site

Cross leases and unit titles usually need the other owners' agreement. Slope, stormwater pipes, flood areas and protected trees can all reduce what's realistic. A surveyor and planner confirm the final answer.