As designers of high-performing commercial buildings, we stay across evolving regulations and legislation to ensure our clients receive the expertise they need. Parking requirements are no exception.
Understanding New Zealand’s Car Parking Regulations
Changes to New Zealand’s urban development policies have significantly altered car parking requirements for commercial buildings, particularly in urban areas. These regulations impact how developers approach parking in new commercial projects. In this article, we outline the key industry updates and what they mean for those planning to build.
PARKING legislation explained
As part of a broader strategy to reshape New Zealand’s cities and towns, the Government has introduced regulations preventing councils from enforcing minimum car parking requirements in many urban areas. This is outlined under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD), which aims to increase housing density, particularly in areas well-served by public transport.
Under these regulations, councils cannot require minimum car parking provisions in district plans for urban areas with populations over 10,000—except for accessible parking spaces, which remain a requirement. However, developers and businesses still have the flexibility to include parking in their projects if they choose to.
This change allows developments to reduce their footprint, optimise land use for building work, and align with modern urban planning approaches that prioritise walkability and public transport accessibility. Many councils across New Zealand have already adjusted their district plans to reflect these changes, removing the previous minimum car park requirements.
See the policy statement below:
National Policy Statement on Urban Development
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(1) If the district plan of a tier 1, 2, or 3 territorial authority contains objectives, policies, rules, or assessment criteria that have the effect of requiring a minimum number of car parks to be provided for a particular development, land use, or activity, the territorial authority must change its district plan to remove that effect, other than in respect of accessible car parks. (2) Territorial authorities must make any changes required by subclause (1) without using a process in Schedule 1 of the Act. (3) Nothing in this National Policy Statement prevents a district plan including objectives, policies, rules, or assessment criteria: a. requiring a minimum number of accessible car parks to be provided for any activity; or i. a developer chooses to supply car parks; or |
How this will impact your next commercial build
These regulations mean you’re no longer required to provide on-site car parking (aside from accessible spaces) when developing a commercial building. While this can reduce costs and maximise the useable footprint of your site, it’s important to weigh the broader implications.
Removing dedicated parking can impact both employees and customers. If your business relies on foot traffic, a lack of parking may deter visitors who don’t have convenient transport options. Not all customers will live within walking distance, and relying solely on public transport, cycling, or rideshare services could create a barrier to access.
For staff, accessibility is equally important. If your team can’t easily commute, will your business support alternative transport options such as public transit incentives, cycling facilities, or carpooling? While reducing congestion benefits urban areas, limiting parking may pose challenges for recruitment, staff retention, and overall workplace accessibility.
The Benefits of Eliminating Car Parking
On the other hand, excluding car parks from your plans can streamline the design and construction process. Without the need to accommodate vehicle access, you can increase usable building space, reduce development complexity, and minimise on-site traffic management requirements. This can simplify health and safety considerations by removing pedestrian-vehicle interactions.
Ultimately, the right decision depends on your business operations, customer needs, and site constraints. A well-planned approach ensures your development remains functional, accessible, and aligned with your long-term goals.
At Attika, we help businesses navigate these decisions, providing expert guidance on designing commercial and industrial buildings that work for your team and customers. Understanding evolving regulations is key to making informed choices, and we’re here to ensure your project is both compliant and optimised for success.
If you’re planning a new build and want to explore your options, let’s talk. Our team brings the expertise and practical insights you need to get it right.
