Buildable area — the development potential of your section, in 3D
Parcela works out the maximum buildable volume (the “envelope”) from the district-plan rules, yard setbacks from the boundaries, height, height in relation to boundary and context — and shows it in 3D on the real terrain of your section.
Find my section’s buildable area →How to find a section’s buildable area
- 1Pick the section. Parcela pulls the parcel boundary, the district-plan rules (coverage, height, HIRB) and the terrain and context data.
- 2Build the envelope. The app computes the maximum volume that respects height, building/site coverage, the yard setbacks and the height in relation to boundary off each boundary.
- 3Estimate the potential. You get an estimated buildable floor area, a number of storeys and the development potential of the section — in 3D and in numbers.
From envelope to scenarios
The buildable envelope is only the starting point. Parcela turns it into concrete A/B/C scenarios (single dwelling, a small multi-unit development under the MDRS, mixed use) with a floor-area summary and a first cost estimate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the buildable area of a section?
It is the maximum floor area you can realistically build on the section within the district plan’s coverage, height, yards and height in relation to boundary. It maps directly onto the section’s value to a builder or developer.
How does Parcela work out the buildable envelope?
From the yard setbacks off the boundaries, the maximum height, the height in relation to boundary and the building/site coverage in the district plan — all rendered in 3D on the digital elevation model of the section.
Is a section zoned residential always buildable?
A residential zone is a precondition, but buildable area also depends on yards, easements on the record of title, hazards (flood, fault, liquefaction, steep slope) and three-waters servicing access. Parcela cross-checks these rather than trusting the zone alone.