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Table of Contents

List of Amendments
Article 1 - General Provisions
1.1	Title
1.2	Authority
	1.2.1	General
	1.2.2	Authority to Regulate Zoning, Subdivision And Building Practices in ETJ
	1.2.3	Reference to North Carolina General Statutes
1.3	Purpose
	1.3.1	General
	1.3.2	Specific
1.4	Applicability and Jurisdiction
	1.4.1	General
	1.4.2	Application to Town
	1.4.3	No Development Until Compliance with this Ordinance
	1.4.4	Bonafide Farms Exempt
1.5	Official Zoning District Map
	1.5.1	Official Zoning District Map
	1.5.2	Incorporated by Reference
	1.5.3	Zoning District Boundaries
	1.5.4	Changes to Official Zoning District Map
	1.5.5	Mapping Disputes
1.6	Interpretation and Conflict
	1.6.1	Meaning and Intent
	1.6.2	Text Controls
	1.6.3	Authority for Interpretation
	1.6.4	Statutory References
	1.6.5	Computation of Time
	1.6.6	Delegation of Authority
	1.6.7	Technical and Non-Technical Words
	1.6.8	Mandatory and Discretionary Terms
	1.6.9	Conjunctions
	1.6.10	Tense and Usage
	1.6.11	Gender
1.7	Relationship to Other Regulations and Private Agreements
	1.7.1	Conflicts with Other Regulations
	1.7.2	Relationship with Private-Party Easements, Covenants, or Agreements
	1.7.3	Repeal of Inconsistent or Conflicting Provisions
1.8	Liability for Damages
1.9	Severability
1.10	Effective Date/Transitional Provisions
	1.10.1	Effective Date
	1.10.2	Final Approval
	1.10.3	Complete Applications
	1.10.4	Violations Continue
	1.10.5	Legal Nonconformities Under Previous Ordinances
	1.10.6	Tree Clearing
Article 2 - Administration
2.1	Review and Decision-Making Bodies
	2.1.1	Town Council
	2.1.2	Planning Board
	2.1.3	Board of Adjustment
	2.1.4	Reserved for Future Use
	2.1.5	Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Commission
	2.1.6	Planning Director
	2.1.7	Technical Review Committee
	2.1.8	Hearing Officer
2.2	Common Review Procedures
	2.2.1	Authority to File Applications
	2.2.2	Planning DIrector Authorized to Establish Application Submission Schedule
	2.2.3	Simultaneous Processing
	2.2.4	Form of Application
	2.2.5	Fees
	2.2.6	Pre-Application Conference
	2.2.7	Neighborhood Meeting
	2.2.8	Application Submission
	2.2.9	Staff Report
	2.2.10	Scheduling Public Hearing(s)
	2.2.11	Public Notification
	2.2.12	Withdrawal of Application
	2.2.13	Protest Petition
	2.2.14	Review and Recommendation of Planning Board
	2.2.15	Action by the Town Council
	2.2.16	Decisions
	2.2.17	Notification of Decision
	2.2.18	Public Hearing Procedures
2.3	Development Approvals
	2.3.1	General Overview
	2.3.2	Amendments to the Text of this Ordinance of Official Zoning District Map (Rezonings)
	2.3.3	Conditional Zoning Districts
	2.3.4	Planned Development Districts
	2.3.5	Special Use
	2.3.6	Site Plan
	2.3.7	Subdivision
	2.3.8	Variance Permit
	2.3.9	Administrative Adjustment
	2.3.10	Certificate of Zoning Compliance
	2.3.11	Temporary Use
	2.3.12	Appeals
	2.3.13	Beneficial Use Determination
	2.3.14	Vested Rights
	2.3.15	Tree Removal and/or Pond Drainage Plan
	2.3.16	Sustainable Development Conditional Zoning District
	2.3.17	Site Work Prior to Development Approvals
	2.3.18	Utility Service
Article 3 - Zoning Districts
3.1	Purpose and Intent
3.2	Zoning Districts Established
	3.2.1	Residential Districts
	3.2.2	Business Districts
	3.2.3	Reserved
	3.2.4	Other Districts
	3.2.5	Conditional Zoning Residential Districts
	3.2.6	Conditional Zoning Business Districts
	3.2.7	Conditional Zoning Planned Development Districts
	3.2.8	Conditional Zoning Other Districts
	3.2.9	Overlay Districts
3.3	District Purposes
	3.3.1	Residential Districts
	3.3.2	Business Districts
	3.3.3	Planned Development Districts
	3.3.4	Other Districts
	3.3.5	Overlay Districts
3.4	Official Zoning District Map and District Boundaries
	3.4.1	Establishment of Official Zoning District Map
	3.4.2	Amendment to the Official Zoning District Map
	3.4.3	Replacement of Official Zoning District Map
Article 4 - Use Regulations
4.1	General Overview
	4.1.1	General
	4.1.2	Outside Storage and Sales
4.2	Use Table
	4.2.1	General
	4.2.2	Use Table
4.3	Use Classifications
	4.3.1	Residential Uses
	4.3.2	Public and Civic Uses
	4.3.3	Utilities
	4.3.4	Recreational Uses
	4.3.5	Commercial Uses
	4.3.6	Industrial Uses
	4.3.7	Agricultural Uses
4.4	Supplemental Standards
	4.4.1	Residential Uses
	4.4.2	Public and Civic Uses
	4.4.3	Utilities
	4.4.4	Recreational Uses
	4.4.5	Commercial Uses
	4.4.6	Industrial Uses
4.5	Accessory Uses and Structures
	4.5.1	Permitted and Special Uses
	4.5.2	Time of Establishment
	4.5.3	Operation
	4.5.4	Single-Family Recreational Accessory Use
	4.5.5	Home Occupation
	4.5.6	Accessory Apartment
4.6	Temporary Uses and Structures
	4.6.1	Permit Required
	4.6.2	No Permit Required
Article 5 - Measurements
5.1	Table of Intensity and Dimensional Standards
	5.1.1	Residential Districts
	5.1.2	Business Districts
	5.1.3	Planned Development Districts
	5.1.4	Other Development Districts
	5.1.5	Small Town Character Overlay District
5.2	General Measurement Requirements
	5.2.1	Density
	5.2.2	Setbacks
	5.2.3	Lot Width Measurement
	5.2.4	Height Measurement and Requirements
	5.2.5	Bulk Measurement and Requirements
	5.2.6	Distances
	5.2.7	Dimensional Standards for Accessory Structures
5.3	Zero Lot Line Development (Optional)
	5.3.1	Applicability
	5.3.2	Review and Approval
	5.3.3	Setbacks
	5.3.4	Additional Standards
Article 6 - Overlay Districts
6.1	Watershed Protection Overlay Districts
	6.1.1	Purpose, Authority, and Enactment
	6.1.2	Primary and Secondary Watershed Protection Overlay Districts
	6.1.3	Exemptions
	6.1.4	General
	6.1.5	Uses
	6.1.6	Low-Density Development Option
	6.1.7	High-Density Development Option
	6.1.8	Clustered Development Option
	6.1.9	Definition of Built-Upon Area
	6.1.10	Calculation of Built-Upon Area
	6.1.11	Riparian Buffers
	6.1.12	Engineered Storm Water Controls
	6.1.13	Modifications by Variance
	6.1.14	Civil Penalties
	6.1.15	Criminal Penalties
	6.1.16	Remedies
6.2	Flood Damage Prevention Overlay District
	6.2.1	Authority
	6.2.2	Findings
	6.2.3	Purpose
	6.2.4	Objectives
	6.2.5	Applicability
	6.2.6	Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard Areas
	6.2.7	Establishment of Floodplain Development Permit
	6.2.8	Compliance
	6.2.9	Abrogation and Greater Restrictions
	6.2.10	Interpretation
	6.2.11	Warning and Disclaimer of Liability
	6.2.12	Penalties for Violation
	6.2.13	Administration
	6.2.14	Administrative Procedures
	6.2.15	Variance Procedures
	6.2.16	Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction
	6.2.17	Standards for Streams without Established Base Flood Elevations, Floodways and/or Non-Encroachment Areas
	6.2.18	Standards for Subdivisions
	6.2.19	Standards for Areas of Shallow Flooding (AO Zones)
6.3	Small Town Character Overlay District
	6.3.1	Small Town Character Overlay District
Article 7 - Subdivision
7.1	General Provisions
	7.1.1	Authority & Exemptions
	7.1.2	Jurisdiction
	7.1.3	Registration of Article and Plats
	7.1.4	Conformance with Article Prerequisite to Acceptance of Streets, Extension of Services
	7.1.5	Conformance with Official Plans
	7.1.6	Condominium and Townhouse Developments
	7.1.7	Substitution of Fees in Lieu of Public Improvements
	7.1.8	Penalties and Remedies for Violation of Article
	7.1.9	Inspection Fees as Prescribed
7.2	Design Standards
	7.2.1	Streets
	7.2.2	Blocks
	7.2.3	Lots
	7.2.4	Easements
	7.2.5	Residential Grading and Topography Conservation
7.3	Park, Recreation and Open Space Sites
	7.3.1	Dedication Generally; Fee in Lieu of Dedication Generally
	7.3.2	Standards for Dedication
	7.3.3	Standards for Council's Choice Between Dedication and Fee
	7.3.4	Procedure for Determination of Choice Among Dedication, Fee, and Combination of Dedication and Fee
	7.3.5	Computation of Size of Area Required for Dedication
	7.3.6	Computation of Fee Payable In-lieu of Dedication
	7.3.7	Use of Land by Town; Sale of Land by Town; Use of Funds Received in Lieu of Dedication
	7.3.8	Special Committee to Settle Disagreements Between Town and Subdivider
	7.3.9	Privately Owned Park and Recreational Areas
	7.3.10	Greenways
7.4	Dedication of Row for Thoroughfare Plan Streets and Highways
	7.4.1	Reasonable Relationship
	7.4.2	No Deprivation of Land
	7.4.3	Density Credit Transfer
7.5	Required Improvements
	7.5.1	Generally
	7.5.2	Permanent Reference Points
	7.5.3	Water Lines and Sanitary Sewers
	7.5.4	Streets
	7.5.5	Reserved
	7.5.6	Street Yard Trees
	7.5.7	Storm Drainage
	7.5.8	Underground Utilities
	7.5.9	Schedule of Installation
	7.5.10	Installation of and Reimbursement for Oversized and/or On-Site/Off-Site Improvements
	7.5.11	Ownership of Completed Improvements
	7.5.12	Installation Prerequisite to Approval of Final Plat and Extension of Town Services or Utilities
	7.5.13	Performance Guarantee in Lieu of Construction Prior to Acceptance of Final Plat
	7.5.14	Defects Guarantee
	7.5.15	Maintenance Guarantee
	7.5.16	Final Plat Review Contingent on Execution of Guarantees
	7.5.17	Irrevocable Letter of Credit in Lieu of Surety Bond or Other Guarantee of Performance
Article 8 - General Development Standards
8.1	Resource Conservation
	8.1.1	General
	8.1.2	Resource Conservation Area
	8.1.3	Tree and Vegetation Conservation
	8.1.4	Development Restrictions on Steep Slopes
	8.1.5	Single-Family Residential Grading and Topography Conservation
	8.1.6	Retaining Structures
8.2	Landscaping, Buffering, and Screening
	8.2.1	Purpose and Intent
	8.2.2	General Landscaping Design Standards
	8.2.3	Maintenance Responsibility and Replacement of Damaged Vegetation
	8.2.4	Building Landscaping Requirements
	8.2.5	Vehicle Use Area Landscaping
	8.2.6	Buffering
	8.2.7	Fences, Walls and Berms
	8.2.8	Screening
8.3	Off-Street Parking and Loading
	8.3.1	Applicability
	8.3.2	Off-Street Parking Requirements
	8.3.3	Rules for Computing Requirements
	8.3.4	Location
	8.3.5	Off-Street Loading Requirements
	8.3.6	Parking Lot Design Standards
	8.3.7	Use of Off-Street Parking Areas
	8.3.8	Accessible Parking for Physically Handicapped Persons
	8.3.9	Off-Street Parking Alternatives
8.4	Community Amenities and Pedestrian Flow
	8.4.1	General
	8.4.2	Applicability
	8.4.3	Community Amenities
	8.4.4	Pedestrian Flows
8.5	Operational Compatibility Standards
	8.5.1	Glare
	8.5.2	Heat and Humidity
	8.5.3	Noise
	8.5.4	Vibration
	8.5.5	Operational/Physical Compatibility
	8.5.6	Evidence of Compliance
8.6	Exterior Lighting
	8.6.1	Purpose and Intent
	8.6.2	Lighting Plan
	8.6.3	Illumination Standards
	8.6.4	Design Requirements
	8.6.5	Exemptions
	8.6.6	Final Inspection
8.7	Signs
	8.7.1	Permitted Signs: Location, Size, and Number
	8.7.2	Prohibited Signs
	8.7.3	Sign Area Measurement
	8.7.4	Sign Design and Color
	8.7.5	Master Sign Plan Requirement
	8.7.6	Installation Requirements
	8.7.7	Central Business District
	8.7.8	Nonconforming Signs
	8.7.9	Definitions
Article 9 - Design Standards
9.1	General
	9.1.1	Purpose and Intent
	9.1.2	Applicability
	9.1.3	General Compatibility Requirement
9.2	Building Aesthetics
	9.2.1	Purpose
	9.2.2	Building Design
	9.2.3	Avoiding Monotony of Design
	9.2.4	Harmony of Design
9.3	Architectural Character
	9.3.1	Purpose
	9.3.2	Roofs
	9.3.3	Facades
	9.3.4	Entryways
	9.3.5	Color and Materials
	9.3.6	Accessory Structures
Article 10 - Nonconformities
10.1	Purpose and Intent
10.2	Nonconforming Uses
	10.2.1	Normal Maintenance or Repair
	10.2.2	Enlargement or Expansion
	10.2.3	Relocation
	10.2.4	Damage and Restoration of Structure Housing Nonconforming Use
	10.2.5	Change in Use
	10.2.6	Discontinuance or Abandonment
	10.2.7	Unsafe Because of Maintenance
10.3	Nonconforming Structures
	10.3.1	Normal Maintenance
	10.3.2	Enlargement or Expansion
	10.3.3	Relocation
	10.3.4	Damage and Restoration of Nonconforming Structure
	10.3.5	Unsafe Because of Maintenance
	10.3.6	Mobile Homes on Individual Lots
10.4	Nonconforming Lots of Record
	10.4.1	Setback Reductions
10.5	Nonconformities Created by Eminent Domain Proceedings
	10.5.1	Authority to Gain Certificate of Conformity
	10.5.2	Applicability
	10.5.3	Procedure
10.6	Nonconforming Signs
	10.6.1	Notification of Nonconformities
	10.6.2	Removal of Nonconforming Signs
	10.6.3	Nonconforming Signs Not Altered
	10.6.4	Moving or Replacing Nonconforming Signs
	10.6.5	Damage to Nonconforming Signs
	10.6.6	Changing Message of Nonconforming Signs
	10.6.7	Repair and Renovation of Nonconforming Signs
	10.6.8	Discontinuation of Business
	10.6.9	Nonconforming Billboards Left Blank
	10.6.10	Amortization of Nonconforming Signs
Article 11 - Enforcement
11.1	General
	11.1.1	Authority
	11.1.2	Purpose
	11.1.3	Unlawful to Violate this Ordinance
	11.1.4	Responsible Person
11.2	Inspection
11.3	Performance Bond
11.4	Remedies and Penalties
	11.4.1	Permit Revocation
	11.4.2	Disapproval of Subsequent Permits and Development Approvals
	11.4.3	Injunction and Abatement Order
	11.4.4	Civil Penalties
	11.4.5	Criminal Penalty
	11.4.6	Other Relief
11.5	Procedures
	11.5.1	Investigation
	11.5.2	Warning of Violation
	11.5.3	Notice of Violation and Correction Order
	11.5.4	Appeal to Board of Adjustment
	11.5.5	Extension of Time Limit to Correct Violation
	11.5.6	Enforcement Action After Time to Correct Violation
	11.5.7	Emergency Enforcement Without Notice
Article 12 - Definitions
12.1	General
12.2	Terms Defined
Article 13 - Transportation Development Fees