Berms

Everything you need to know regarding berms in Kāpiti.

Roadside vegetation and berms - who is responsible? (PDF fact sheet)

Berm Policy (Urban)

The Kāpiti Coast District Council has a policy that it does not maintain, with pedestrian mowers, any accessible grassed berm areas fronting or adjacent to residential sections within the district.  There is an expectation that residents of adjacent properties maintain their berm by regular mowing, maintenance and clearing of litter and rubbish. 

Council policy is based on both fiscal prudence, keeping rate increases to a minimum, and in recognition that the primary beneficiary of a tidy and clean frontage, is the owner of the property/properties in close proximity.

Most residents voluntarily mow the berm outside their property.  If a resident is unable to mow their berm, they may wish to employ a contractor at their own personal cost.  Contact details for suitable contractors can be found in the yellow pages, Kāpiti’s local directory under “lawn mowing services” or in the classified section of your local paper.

Residents, who are physically incapable of mowing their berm, may be eligible for a WINZ allowance to assist with the cost of engaging a contractor.  Please contact WINZ for more information on available allowances.  WINZ - telephone 0800 559 009. Hours - Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.

Where residents decide not to maintain grassed road berm areas, these berms will be maintained by us using tractor operated equipment.  These will be at a frequency rate that will not necessitate the employment of additional staff.  With the current level of available resources, this frequency will only be as is necessary to address hazards arising.

Berm mowing (rural)

Rural berms are mowed 4-6 times per year.  Mowing is done 2 metres from the edge of the seal where possible. Owners are responsible for the rest.  Residents can be added to the “No Cut” list.

Rural high mowing

Mowing is done once a year to stop vegetation encroachments and to maintain sightlines and edge marker post visibility. The intervention height is 500mm.

Berm is a steep bank (urban)

In the event of property owners not maintaining grassed road berm areas, Council will maintain these berms using tractor operated equipment, but only at a frequency rate that does not necessitate the employment of additional staff.  With the current level of available resources, this frequency will only be as is necessary to address hazards and will be at level less than most people would regard as acceptable.

Planting on berm

The berm outside your property is Council road reserve which should be free of plants/shrubs to ensure safe use of the road for all road users.

Parking on berms

Traffic Bylaw 2010

6            Parking

6.6         No person shall park or place any machinery, equipment, materials, shipping containers, waste
disposal bins or other article on any road or areas under the control of Council except with the prior permission of an authorised officer and in accordance with any conditions that may be required.

To obtain permission, please contact the Council Call Centre on 04 296 4700 or 0800 486 486.