Zoning
Zoning permits are required for new buildings, new businesses as well as building expansions and most all other land uses. The Zoning Ordinance includes the Table of Uses which identifies the uses permitted for each zoning district and includes dimensional requirements including minimum lot sizes and setback requirements.
General zoning permits are for uses that are permitted by right in the zoning district; they are usually issued in conjunction with a building permit.
Special requirement permits are for uses so designated in the Table of Uses as SR uses; they can be applied for independently or in conjunction with a building permit. Most of these applications require a site plan to be drawn by a licensed surveyor or engineer and will be reviewed by the Planning & Development staff for consistency with the zoning ordinance requirements.
Special Use Permits are required for certain uses that have been identified in the Table of Uses which require special review for their potential impact on the neighborhood in which they are proposed. The Zoning Board of Adjustment holds a public hearing for most Special Use requests; the Board of Commissioners hears proposals for C&D Landfills as well as uses proposed by a public entity.
Home occupations are businesses for the economic gain or support of a resident of the dwelling which is incidental and secondary to the residential use of the lot. It is imperative that the home occupation does not in any way create a nuisance or detract from the residential character of the neighborhood.
Signs are also regulated by the Zoning Ordinance. Generally, a business is permitted one free-standing and two attached signs. Residential zoning districts limit sign sizes to 4 square feet. The sign requirements can be found in Article 17 of the Onslow County Zoning Ordinance.
Rezoning is the process whereby a property owner may petition to have the zoning of his/her property changed to another zoning district. A complete application includes a complete application, fee, two sets of addressed and stamped envelopes for each adjacent property owner for the property for which a rezoning is proposed, and a roster of those property owners. Rezoning requests are submitted to the Planning Board for a recommendation and then forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for a public hearing and action on the application.