Berms

A berm is the strip of grass or land between a property and the footpath or road. Berms can be used for landscaping or infrastructure purposes, and their width varies depending on the area.

Maintaining urban berms

Council does not use pedestrian mowers to maintain any accessible grassed berm areas beside or in front of residential sections in Kāpiti. Residents of adjacent properties are expected to maintain their berm by regular mowing, maintenance and clearing of litter and rubbish. 

This policy:

• is based on fiscal prudence, and keeping rate increases to a minimum
• recognises that the primary beneficiary of a tidy and clean frontage is the owner of nearby property/properties.

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. 

Residents who are physically incapable of mowing their berm may be eligible for a Work and Income allowance help pay for a contractor. Contact Work and Income for more information on available allowances.

Where residents decide not to maintain grassed road berm areas, these will be maintained by us using tractor-operated equipment, but only when our existing staff have capacity. With the current level of available resources, this will only be as necessary to address hazards, and will be less regularly than most people would regard as acceptable.

Mowing rural berms

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

High mowing rural berms

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

Steep urban banks as berms

If property owners do not maintain grassed road berm areas, Council will maintain these berms using tractor-operated equipment, but only when our existing staff have capacity. With the current level of available resources, this will only be as necessary to address hazards, and will be less regularly than most people would regard as acceptable.

Planting on berm

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

See also our Vegetation page about maintenance. 

Parking on berms

See our Parking restrictions page for information about parking on berms.