Shared Driveway Site Plan in Christchurch: Access, Turning and Council Requirements

A shared driveway in Christchurch may serve two or more properties through a right of way, access lot, easement, cross-lease arrangement or another form of shared legal access. When new building work affects that driveway, the site plan must show that every property can continue to enter, park, turn and leave safely.

A clear shared-driveway site plan helps Christchurch City Council understand the legal access, formed driveway, vehicle crossing, property boundaries, parking areas, manoeuvring space, gates, drainage and proposed construction.

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NZ Site Plan prepares clear drawings showing shared accessways, rights of way, property boundaries, vehicle crossings, parking, turning areas, drainage and proposed work.

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Shared driveway site plan in Christchurch showing front and rear lots, right of way, vehicle crossing, access width, passing area, turning space, parking and drainage — Example Christchurch shared-driveway site plan showing legal access, vehicle movement, parking, turning, boundaries and drainage. Requirements vary by property and project.

What Is a Shared Driveway?

A shared driveway is a vehicle-access route used by more than one property or dwelling. It may provide access to:

a front and rear property;
two neighbouring homes;
multiple dwellings on one site;
cross-lease properties;
townhouses or residential units;
garages located behind existing homes; or
parking areas without separate road frontages.

The physical driveway and the legal right to use it are not necessarily the same thing. A formed driveway may sit inside a legally defined right of way or easement that is wider, narrower or positioned differently.

LINZ explains that a right-of-way easement can give another property the right to walk or drive over the burdened land, such as through a shared driveway.^[1]

Why the Legal Access Must Be Checked

Before designing work beside a shared driveway, review the current Record of Title, survey plan and registered easement instruments.

These documents may explain:

where the legal right of way is located;
which properties benefit from it;
which property contains the burdened land;
whether pedestrian and vehicle access are included;
maintenance responsibilities;
rights to install or maintain services;
whether gates are permitted;
restrictions on parking or obstruction; and
how costs may be shared.

The site plan should accurately distinguish the legal right of way from the visible driveway surface. Do not rely only on an aerial image, fence or existing paving.

When Might Council Approval Be Required?

A shared driveway does not automatically require resource consent or building consent. Approval depends on what you propose to change and whether the project complies with the Christchurch District Plan and other applicable requirements.

Proposed work	Possible requirement
New dwelling using the shared driveway	Building consent and possibly resource consent or transport assessment
New garage or carport	Building or resource consent may apply depending on size, location and access
Driveway widening or relocation	Planning, drainage or vehicle-crossing approval may be required
New or altered vehicle crossing	Christchurch City Council vehicle-crossing approval
Reduced access width or manoeuvring area	Resource consent or supporting transport information may be required
Work inside the road corridor	Corridor Access Request, Works Access Permit and Traffic Management Plan may apply
Changes to drainage or underground services	Drainage approval, engineering or authorised trade work may be required

Christchurch District Plan Chapter 7 contains transport requirements covering vehicle access, crossings, parking and manoeuvring. The requirements can depend on the activity, number of properties served, road environment and complete access design.^[2]

Shared Driveway Width Requirements

There is no single driveway width that can safely be used for every Christchurch property. The required legal and formed widths can depend on:

the number of properties or dwellings served;
the length of the accessway;
whether vehicles need to pass;
parking and turning arrangements;
the driveway gradient;
road classification;
emergency and service access;
existing resource-consent conditions;
the registered right of way; and
the applicable Christchurch District Plan rules.

The site plan should show both:

Legal access width: The width of the registered right of way, easement or access lot.
Formed driveway width: The width of the actual paved or constructed vehicle surface.

Do not assume that the visible paving defines the complete legal access.

What Should a Christchurch Shared Driveway Site Plan Show?

1. Property and title information

property address;
lot and deposited plan details;
complete property boundaries;
front and rear lots where applicable;
right-of-way or easement boundaries;
access-lot boundaries;
north arrow;
drawing scale and scale bar; and
street name and frontage.

2. Existing and proposed buildings

existing dwellings;
proposed dwelling, addition or accessory building;
garages and carports;
sheds, decks and other structures near the access;
retaining walls;
fences and gates; and
clear labels distinguishing existing and proposed work.

3. Shared-access information

full length of the shared driveway;
legal right-of-way boundaries;
formed driveway edges;
access width at relevant points;
narrow sections;
passing areas;
vehicle crossing;
driveway gradients and levels where relevant; and
vehicle movement arrows.

4. Parking and manoeuvring

parking-space locations;
garage and carport access;
turning and manoeuvring areas;
passing areas;
vehicle-tracking paths when required;
gate-swing areas;
pedestrian routes; and
areas that must remain unobstructed.

5. Drainage and services

surface-water flow arrows;
stormwater channels and drains;
sumps and catchpits;
stormwater pipes;
water and wastewater services;
electricity and telecommunications corridors;
registered service easements; and
known Council infrastructure.

The SIMPLI Guide to Building Consent Application says that site plans for affected vehicle areas should show crossings, levels, driveway gradients, manoeuvring and parking areas.^[3]

Turning and Manoeuvring Space

A shared driveway is not useful if a vehicle can reach a garage but cannot turn, reverse safely or leave without blocking another property.

Christchurch District Plan Chapter 7 requires applicable vehicle-manoeuvring areas to accommodate the specified design vehicle.^[2]

The site plan may need to demonstrate:

how vehicles enter the shared driveway;
how vehicles reach each garage or parking space;
where vehicles can pass;
whether vehicles can turn onsite;
whether vehicles can exit toward the road in a forward direction;
how parked vehicles affect manoeuvring;
whether gates restrict turning; and
whether bins, landscaping or structures obstruct the access.

For tight sites, a vehicle-tracking diagram prepared by an appropriately qualified professional may be required. A simple curved arrow is not always enough to demonstrate actual vehicle movement.

Parking Must Not Obstruct Shared Access

Parking spaces should be clearly separated from the legal accessway, passing areas and turning space.

Common problems include:

parking inside the right of way;
vehicles overhanging the shared driveway;
garage doors opening into the manoeuvring area;
visitor parking blocking another property;
parking spaces that cannot be entered without multiple difficult movements;
vehicles stopping across the public footpath; and
bins or trailers stored in the accessway.

The exact legal rights and restrictions depend on the title and easement instrument. Obtain legal advice if there is disagreement between property owners about use, parking, maintenance or obstruction.

Passing Areas on Long Driveways

A long shared accessway may require space for vehicles to pass. Whether a passing area is needed can depend on:

driveway length;
formed width;
visibility from one end to the other;
number of properties served;
expected vehicle movements;
driveway gradient; and
the applicable District Plan standard.

The site plan should show where the passing area is located and confirm that it is not being counted as a parking space.

Gates and Fences

Gates should be positioned so that vehicles can stop clear of the road, footpath and shared access while the gate is opened.

The plan should show:

gate location;
gate width;
opening direction;
setback from the road or crossing;
clearance from the shared access;
fence alignment; and
pedestrian access where relevant.

A gate serving one property should not prevent another property from using its legal access.

Vehicle-Crossing Requirements

The vehicle crossing connects the private shared driveway with the public road across the footpath, berm, kerb or channel.

Christchurch City Council states that vehicle crossings designed and constructed onto public roads managed by the Council require a vehicle-crossing application. The physical installation must be completed with the assistance of a roading or driveway contractor rather than as owner-performed work.^[4]

The application may need to identify:

crossing location and width;
road and kerb layout;
public footpath and berm;
connection with the shared driveway;
nearby boundaries;
street trees and poles;
drainage grates and utility covers;
driveway gradient; and
existing crossings near the property.

Driveway Gradients and Level Changes

A shared driveway on sloping land may require additional level information. The plans may need to show:

road and kerb levels;
vehicle-crossing gradient;
driveway gradients;
changes in gradient;
garage and parking levels;
crossfall;
retaining walls; and
surface-water direction.

A long section may be required when a top-down site plan cannot adequately explain the gradient and vertical transitions.

Read the steep driveway site plan guide for more information.

Drainage and Stormwater

A long shared driveway can create a substantial impervious area. If runoff is not controlled, water may flow toward garages, neighbouring properties, the footpath or road.

The site plan may need to show:

driveway surface area;
surface-water direction;
channel drains;
sumps and catchpits;
stormwater pipes;
permeable areas;
existing Council stormwater infrastructure;
retaining-wall drainage; and
approved connection or discharge points.

Christchurch City Council provides property drainage plans showing available public and private stormwater information. These records may help identify existing infrastructure, although onsite verification can still be necessary.^[5]

Read the stormwater and drainage site plan guide.

Services Within the Shared Driveway

Shared driveways often contain water, wastewater, stormwater, electricity, gas or telecommunications services. Some services may benefit several properties and be protected by registered easements.

Before placing a new building, retaining wall, gate post, drain or deep excavation near the accessway:

review the Record of Title;
check registered service easements;
obtain available Council drainage records;
request underground service information;
confirm whether build-over approval is required; and
arrange professional locating when necessary.

Christchurch City Council advises that available information about water, wastewater and stormwater networks can be viewed through its drainage records and mapping services.^[6]

When Is a Corridor Access Request Required?

A Corridor Access Request may be required when construction affects the normal operation of the road, footpath or grass berm.

This can include:

excavating or resurfacing the road frontage;
altering the kerb or footpath;
placing machinery in the road corridor;
temporarily closing pedestrian access;
occupying a traffic or parking lane;
connecting drainage into road infrastructure; or
using a temporary vehicle crossing.

Christchurch City Council states that access to the legal road can begin only after the CAR is accepted and the Works Access Permit has been issued for the approved work window.^[7]

Traffic Management Plans

A Traffic Management Plan explains how pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles will be managed while work occurs in or affects the road corridor.

Christchurch City Council advises that a CAR is required in addition to a TMP to obtain road-corridor access. Both processes are managed through the applicable road-work system.^[8]

The contractor or traffic-management provider normally coordinates these requirements when road-frontage construction is involved.

Do You Need Neighbour Approval?

A shared driveway project can involve separate planning and private-property issues.

Neighbour or co-owner involvement may be necessary when:

work will occur on jointly owned land;
the right of way crosses another owner’s property;
the proposal changes the legal easement;
access will be temporarily restricted;
shared services will be altered;
maintenance costs will be shared; or
the project affects a cross-lease flat plan.

Neighbour agreement does not replace building consent, resource consent, vehicle-crossing approval or a road-corridor permit when those approvals are required.

Do You Need a Survey?

Survey information becomes especially important when:

the legal right of way is unclear;
the formed driveway does not match the title plan;
the access is narrow;
new work is close to an easement boundary;
fences do not appear to follow legal boundaries;
levels or gradients affect compliance;
retaining walls are close to neighbouring land; or
Council requests verified information.

LINZ is the authoritative source for New Zealand land-title and cadastral survey records.^[9]

Site Plan vs Survey vs Vehicle Tracking

Document	Purpose
Site plan	Shows the shared driveway, buildings, boundaries, right of way, crossing, parking, turning and drainage.
Registered survey	Provides verified boundaries, easement positions, levels and measured site information.
Vehicle-tracking plan	Demonstrates how a specified vehicle enters, turns, parks and exits.
Driveway long section	Shows driveway gradients, levels and vertical transitions.
Engineering drawings	Provide structural, pavement, retaining-wall or drainage design.
Traffic Management Plan	Explains how road users will be managed during construction.

Common Reasons Applications Are Delayed

The legal right of way is missing from the site plan.
The formed driveway and easement are shown as the same feature without verification.
Access widths are not labelled.
A narrow section is omitted.
Parking spaces obstruct the accessway.
No passing area is shown on a long driveway.
Turning space is too small or unclear.
Vehicle-tracking information is missing.
Gates open into the shared driveway.
The vehicle crossing is not shown.
Drainage and surface-water direction are unclear.
Shared services or service easements are omitted.
The proposal conflicts with the title or consent conditions.
A basic aerial image is supplied when a scaled plan is required.
The site plan conflicts with the architectural or engineering drawings.

Practical Christchurch Approval Process

Review the title: Obtain the Record of Title, survey plan and relevant easement instruments.
Check Council records: Review the property file, previous consents and drainage information.
Define the project: Confirm which buildings, parking areas and parts of the driveway will change.
Measure the access: Record driveway widths, narrow sections, gradients, gates and obstructions.
Plan vehicle movement: Position parking, passing and turning areas.
Check the District Plan: Confirm the applicable access, crossing, parking and manoeuvring standards.
Prepare the drawings: Obtain the site plan, survey, tracking, long section or engineering required.
Confirm approvals: Determine whether building, resource, crossing or road-corridor approvals apply.
Coordinate owners: Obtain necessary private approvals for shared land or easements.
Wait for approval: Do not begin assessable work until all necessary permissions are issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I park on a shared driveway?

Parking rights depend on the title, easement instrument and property arrangement. Parking should not obstruct legal access, passing or manoeuvring areas. Obtain legal advice if owners disagree.

Can I install a gate across a shared driveway?

Possibly, but the gate must be consistent with the legal access rights and applicable consent requirements. All affected owners may need to be involved.

Does a shared driveway need a turning area?

It may, depending on the number of properties served, driveway length, road environment, parking layout and applicable District Plan requirements.

Can I build a garage beside a right of way?

Possibly, but the garage, doors, parking and manoeuvring space must not improperly obstruct legal access. Boundary, setback, fire, drainage and consent requirements must also be checked.

Do I need a vehicle-crossing application?

A new or altered crossing onto a Christchurch City Council-managed public road requires the applicable Council approval process.

Does neighbour approval replace resource consent?

No. Private owner agreement and statutory approval are separate matters.

Does NZ Site Plan provide surveying or vehicle tracking?

NZ Site Plan prepares site plan drawings. Registered surveying, traffic engineering and specialised vehicle-tracking analysis must be provided by appropriately qualified professionals when required.

Does NZ Site Plan issue Council approval?

No. Christchurch City Council issues the relevant building, resource, crossing and road-corridor approvals.

Order a Christchurch Shared Driveway Site Plan

A clear site plan can help Council understand the legal access, formed driveway, property boundaries, crossing, parking, passing, turning, drainage and proposed work.