Professionals

The Town of Zebulon Planning Department now accepts all applications for through the IDT Plan Portal at Home (idtplans.com)

IDT Plan Portal

Annexation

The voluntary annexation process begins when the property owner(s) submit a completed petition to staff. Staff then requests the Board of Commissioners to direct the Town Clerk to investigate sufficiency.   The Town Clerk returns her findings and staff then requests the Board to set a public hearing date.  The hearing is advertised, and open to the public.  The process takes 3-4 months in total. 

Special Use Permit

The special use permit process is a quasi-judicial process which requires an evidentiary hearing.   The applicant submits the application, supplemental documents and fee. The application is reviewed by the town attorneys for completeness.  The public hearing is held by the Board of Commissioners .   At the next scheduled meeting the Commissioners will hear the recommendations of staff and make a final determination on the permit.  This process takes 4-5 months. 

Rezoning Permit

The rezoning process is a legislative process, but follows the same basic procedure as the special use permit process.  After receiving the application and fee, the town attorneys review for completeness. A joint public hearing is held with the Board of Commissioners and the Planning Board sitting jointly. The Planning Board meets after the public hearing to make their recommendation to the commissioners. At the next scheduled meeting the Commissioners will hear the recommendations of staff and the Planning Board and make a final determination on the request.  This process takes 4-5 months.

Text Amendment

A text amendment is a legislative process.  Please contact staff for assistance in this process.  A joint public hearing is held with the Board of Commissioners and the Planning Board sitting jointly. The Planning Board meets after the public hearing to make their recommendation to the commissioners. At the next scheduled meeting the Commissioners will hear the recommendations of staff and the Planning Board and make a final determination on the request.  This process takes 4-5 months.

Water and Sewer Allocation

For developments requesting over 5,000 GPD, a formal request must be made to the Board of Commissioners for allocation.  Please contact staff for assistance in this process.  A request of this size is typically part of a larger development requiring either a special use permit or review by the Technical Review Committee. 

Right of Way Closure

The right-of-way closure enables the applicant to request the Board of Commissioners to relinquish the public's interest in the a platted or dedicated street or alley right-of-way.  Following approval, the area of the abandoned right-of-way is returned to abutting property owners as real property.

Technical Review Committee

Site Plan review and approval is provided by the Technical Review Committee.  The committee reviews plans for up-fits, alterations, additions, change in use, and new construction to ensure land development complies with all applicable regulations and agencies. Site Plan approval must be obtained before building permits will be released.  Zoning permits may or may not be a part of the site plan process, depending on the type of development.  The review process averages 6-8 months depending on the type of the development. 

Zoning Compliance  and Sign Permit

Zoning permits are required before any development on a parcel may occur to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and ordinances.  Zoning permits can be for setbacks, accessory structures, fences, signs, etc.  The review process usually takes 2-3 weeks. 

Building Permit

Building permits are required for up-fits, alterations, additions, change in use, and new construction.  The review process usually takes 2-3 weeks unless additional information is required by the building or trade inspectors. 

Certificate of Occupancy

Certificates of Occupation (CO) are approved after all building and zoning final inspections have been passes.  Please give 24-48 hours notice when requesting a CO. 

Temporary Use Permits

Open Air Sale and Temporary Use Permits are required for temporary and seasonal sales such as BBQ plate sales, cookie sales, fireworks sales and Christmas Tree sales.  Please allow 2-3 weeks for review.