Wanting to plant trees, graze stock or install fencing on the road reserve?
This page answers some of the most commonly asked questions about occupying the Council road reserve.
Please note: it is highly recommended that public liability insurance is held by any individual or group conducting activity in and/or occupying the road reserve, regardless of whether licence or approval has been provided by Council.
What is the road reserve?
The road reserve is the area of land (including the road) between property boundaries:
Can I plant trees in the road reserve?
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS
In some cases in rural areas we will permit the planting of trees/vegetation in the road reserve. In the first instance you can email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.
You will be required to hold an approved Corridor Access Request (CAR) to plant trees/vegetation if your proposal is accepted.
URBAN AREAS
Planting trees in the road reserve in urban areas is not permitted. Street trees are planted by Council in the road reserve on some streets. If you would like to petition for street trees to be planted in your area, contact the Parks and Recreation Unit at Council on 03 687 7200.
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS In some cases in rural areas we will permit the planting of trees/vegetation in the road reserve. In the first instance you can email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. You will be required to hold an approved Corridor Access Request (CAR) to plant trees/vegetation if your proposal is accepted. | URBAN AREAS Planting trees in the road reserve in urban areas is not permitted. Street trees are planted by Council in the road reserve on some streets. If you would like to petition for street trees to be planted in your area, contact the Parks and Recreation Unit at Council on 03 687 7200. |
Can I install temporary fencing in the road reserve?
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS
Temporary fencing is permitted in the road reserve in rural areas without permit or licence provided that:
- Plastic standards are used (you must not use steel warratahs)
- Fencing is placed at least 1.5m from the edge of unsealed roads or 2.5m from the edge of sealed roads.
- Fencing only occupies the road reserve for a maximum of 20 consecutive days.
URBAN AREAS
In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit.
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS Temporary fencing is permitted in the road reserve in rural areas without permit or licence provided that:
| URBAN AREAS In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. |
Can I install permanent fencing in the road reserve?
RURAL AREAS
In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you will need to obtain a Services Consent to construct your fence.
URBAN AREAS
In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you will need to obtain a Services Consent to construct your fence.
RURAL AREAS In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you will need to obtain a Services Consent to construct your fence. | URBAN AREAS In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you will need to obtain a Services Consent to construct your fence. |
Can I graze stock in the road reserve?
RURAL AREAS
Stock may be grazed in the road reserve during daylight hours only and must be fenced in. Refer to the temporary fencing guidance on this page and the Timaru District Bylaws for regulations on temporary fencing in the road reserve within rural areas.
URBAN AREAS
Grazing stock in the road reserve in urban areas is not permitted at any time.
RURAL AREAS Stock may be grazed in the road reserve during daylight hours only and must be fenced in. Refer to the temporary fencing guidance on this page and the Timaru District Bylaws for regulations on temporary fencing in the road reserve within rural areas. | URBAN AREAS Grazing stock in the road reserve in urban areas is not permitted at any time. |
Can I install signs in the road reserve?
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS
In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you will need to obtain a Services Consent to install your sign(s).
URBAN AREAS
Signs are permitted within the road reserve in urban areas in some cases. Contact the Planning Unit at Timaru District Council on 03 687 7200.
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you will need to obtain a Services Consent to install your sign(s). | URBAN AREAS Signs are permitted within the road reserve in urban areas in some cases. Contact the Planning Unit at Timaru District Council on 03 687 7200. |
Can I install structures e.g. buildings, large ornamental or functional structures etc; in the road reserve?
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS
In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you may need to obtain all of and/or a combination of the following: Building Consent, Services Consent, Agreement of Licence.
URBAN AREAS
Certain types of structures are permitted within the road reserve in urban areas in some cases. In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you may need to obtain all of and/or a combination of the following: Building Consent, Services Consent, Agreement of Licence.
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you may need to obtain all of and/or a combination of the following: Building Consent, Services Consent, Agreement of Licence. | URBAN AREAS Certain types of structures are permitted within the road reserve in urban areas in some cases. In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you may need to obtain all of and/or a combination of the following: Building Consent, Services Consent, Agreement of Licence. |
Can I install a stock underpass in the road reserve?
RURAL AREAS ONLY
Stock underpasses may be constructed subject to prior approval from Council. Factors such as traffic volumes and visibility are considered when assessing proposals.
In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. A full engineering design is required for proposals to construct stock underpasses requiring the road to be rebuilt over the structure (see Example B above).
Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you may need to obtain all of and/or a combination of the following: Building Consent, Services Consent, Agreement of Licence, Corridor Access Request, Deed of Grant.
RURAL AREAS ONLY
Stock underpasses may be constructed subject to prior approval from Council. Factors such as traffic volumes and visibility are considered when assessing proposals. In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. A full engineering design is required for proposals to construct stock underpasses requiring the road to be rebuilt over the structure (see Example B above). Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. If your proposal is acceptable, you may need to obtain all of and/or a combination of the following: Building Consent, Services Consent, Agreement of Licence, Corridor Access Request, Deed of Grant. |
Can I install pipes or cables in the road reserve?
RURAL AREAS
In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. You will be required to obtain an approved Corridor Access Request (CAR) to install pipes or cables in the road reserve.
URBAN AREAS
In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. You will be required to obtain an approved Corridor Access Request (CAR) to install pipes or cables in the road reserve. A deed of grant may also be required.
RURAL AREAS In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. You will be required to obtain an approved Corridor Access Request (CAR) to install pipes or cables in the road reserve. | URBAN AREAS In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. You will be required to obtain an approved Corridor Access Request (CAR) to install pipes or cables in the road reserve. A deed of grant may also be required. |
Can I use the road reserve for storage?
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS
In rural areas it is not permitted to use the road reserve for storage at any time, excluding one exception: hay bales may be stored in the road reserve provided they are stored flush to your property boundary and are not stacked.
URBAN AREAS
Generally it is not permitted to use the road reserve for storage in urban areas. In some instances e.g. to facilitate development; Council may approve the use of urban road reserve for storage on a temporary basis.
In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. You will be required to obtain an approved Corridor Access Request (CAR) and an approved Traffic Management Plan if your proposal is acceptable. It is strongly recommended that you hold your own public liability insurance. Please note at no time is scaffolding permitted to be installed in the road reserve.
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS In rural areas it is not permitted to use the road reserve for storage at any time, excluding one exception: hay bales may be stored in the road reserve provided they are stored flush to your property boundary and are not stacked. | URBAN AREAS Generally it is not permitted to use the road reserve for storage in urban areas. In some instances e.g. to facilitate development; Council may approve the use of urban road reserve for storage on a temporary basis. In the first instance email roads@timdc.govt.nz with a diagram/map of your proposal and your contact details. Our Land Transport Unit will respond to your query and arrange a time to discuss your proposal and/or conduct a site visit. You will be required to obtain an approved Corridor Access Request (CAR) and an approved Traffic Management Plan if your proposal is acceptable. It is strongly recommended that you hold your own public liability insurance. Please note at no time is scaffolding permitted to be installed in the road reserve. |
Can I place large objects in the road reserve e.g. boulders, rocks, non-frangible posts?
RURAL & URBAN AREAS
It is not permitted at any time, in either rural or urban areas, to place or store large objects in the road reserve, such as boulders, rocks or non-frangible posts.
RURAL & URBAN AREAS It is not permitted at any time, in either rural or urban areas, to place or store large objects in the road reserve, such as boulders, rocks or non-frangible posts. |
Can I install electric fencing or barbed wire fencing in the road reserve?
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS
In rural areas it is not permitted at any time to install barbed wire fencing in the road reserve.
You may install electric fencing on a temporary basis provided that:
- It is signposted
- High visibility tape is used
- All other bylaws related to installation of temporary fencing on road reserves are adhered to (see
temporary fencing section on this page)
URBAN AREAS
In urban areas it is not permitted at any time to install barbed wire fencing or electric fencing in the road reserve.
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places
RURAL AREAS In rural areas it is not permitted at any time to install barbed wire fencing in the road reserve. You may install electric fencing on a temporary basis provided that:
| URBAN AREAS In urban areas it is not permitted at any time to install barbed wire fencing or electric fencing in the road reserve. |
You cannot at any time, in either rural or urban areas:
- Lock gates across the road reserve
- Abandon vehicles in the road reserve
- Store farming implements in the road reserve
Refer Timaru District Consolidated Bylaws Chapter 2: Public Places for more information.
Last updated: 26 Jul 2021