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Most councils protect neighbours' access to sunlight by limiting how high you can build near a property boundary using a recession plane or building envelope rule. A recession plane survey measures the critical heights and angles at your boundaries to determine exactly how much height the rules allow, and whether a proposed or completed structure complies.
Designing right to the limit of the rules is common on tight sites, but it creates risk a small miscalculation can result in a non-complying building, neighbour objections, or council enforcement. A survey that puts an independent, certified line on exactly where the boundary of compliance sits turns a risk into a certainty.
We measure boundary levels and adjacent building heights, calculate the allowable height to boundary plane under the applicable district plan rules, and compare that against your proposed or completed building. For new builds, we can mark out out key profile points on site so your architect can confirm the design will comply on the real ground - not just in theory. For completed builds, we certify the as-built result. We know the recession plane formulas for Wellington, Porirua, Kāpiti, and Manawatu councils and apply them correctly first time.
