Wilson, NC
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Need to speak to someone in Land Development? Email us at LandDev@WilsonNC.org or Call us at 252-399-2220 option 3 and then 2.
Site Plan Review
Land Development is responsible for reviewing all commercial, industrial and multi-family site development plans for zoning compliance. All commercial, industrial, and multi-family site plans require TRC (Technical Review Committee) approval.
Subdivisions
Divisions of land into two or more parcels usually require a subdivision plat to be approved by the City. A preliminary plat is a drawing of a proposed subdivision. Preliminary plats are approved by City Council after a recommendation by the Planning Board. A final plat is the final map of the subdivision that is recorded in the Register of Deeds office.
Sign, Alcohol, Air Quality & Zoning Permit Review
Land Development is responsible for performing Zoning Administration duties. In order for anyone to obtain a sign permit, an alcohol local government opinion/inspection form, an air quality zoning consistency determination, or a residential building permit in the City of Wilson Zoning Jurisdiction, they must have the zoning reviewed by Land Development.
Floodplain Administration
Any development, including buildings or other structures, filling, grading, or paving, requires a Floodplain Development Permit. Permit applications are reviewed by Development Services and Public Services for compliance with all floodplain regulations.
Zoning and Landscape Inspections
Prior to a business or development requiring Technical Review Committee approval open for business, a final zoning and landscape inspection must be performed to make sure the site was developed according to the approved site plan. This inspection is required before a business or development obtains a Certificate of Occupancy.
Board of Adjustment
Special Use Permits, Variances, and Appeals are heard by the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment meets on the third Tuesday of the month in the City Council chambers. Applications must be submitted to Development Services four weeks prior to the scheduled meeting. Applicable fees apply.
Special Use Permits
Certain uses listed in the City of Wilson Zoning Ordinance require Special Use permits. Special Use Permits are issued by the Board of Adjustment.
Variances
Variances to the dimensional standards listed in the City of Wilson Zoning Ordinance are heard by the Board of Adjustment. The requirements for the granting of a Variance are listed in Section 20.11(c) of the Zoning Ordinance.
Appeals
If you feel that an error in any order, requirement, decision, or interpretation made by the office of the Zoning Administrator has been made in error, you may make an appeal to the Board of Adjustment.
Rezoning
A rezoning occurs when a property owner wants to use their property in a way that is not permitted by the current zoning. The owner must then request to rezone the subject property to a classification that permits the desired use. For your reference, changes to the Zoning Ordinance that include rezonings, are governed by Section 22 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance. That section also addresses, in great detail, the requirements and handling of “protest petitions”, which rezoning requests occasionally generate from opposing residents.
Note: Deadline for submitting applications is on the first Tuesday of the month prior to the next Planning & Design Review Board meeting.
Conditional Districts
A conditional use permit allows the City of Wilson to consider any special uses which may be essential or desirable to a particular community, but which are not currently allowed as a matter of right within a zoning district. A Conditional Use Permit application submitted by a project applicant is considered at the Planning Board meeting and, if approved, is generally subject to a number of pertinent conditions of approval.
Text Amendments
Ordinance text amendments may be initiated by the Director of Planning & Development Services, the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, City Council, or any property owner or resident in Wilson. Citizen amendments as well as zoning text amendments are also covered in Section 22 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance.