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1. Is my property located in a flood zone?

You may contact staff at 252-726-6848 x121 or via email or go to the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping System website to determine whether your property is located in a flood zone.

2. How can I pay for permit fees?

Smartgov Public Permit Portal:

 

You may contact the Planning & Inspections Department at mhcpi@moreheadcitync.org or 252-726-6848 x125 for Permit Portal Access, then create a new account using an access code provided by the Town, verify the new account by clicking a link sent to your email address, and submit payment through the portal. Many permit types with automatically issue upon receipt of payment and users are able to print or save a copy of their permit. 

Alternatively, you may pay online or by telephone through Official Payments.

Official Payments Online Instructions:

1. Go to www.officialpayments.com

2. Click on “Local Payment”

3. Enter Jurisdiction Code “4391” or Select State “North Carolina” and Collecting Organization “Morehead City, Town of”

4. For Type of Payment, enter “Building & Planning Permits” and click “Make a Payment”

5. Click “Continue”, then click “Accept” to accept the terms of using service

6. Enter credit card information and permit number (permit box is alphanumeric only- no dots or dashes)

7. You will receive a confirmation number

8. Call or email Planning & Inspections to give us the confirmation number at 252-726-6848 x 125 or mhcpi@moreheadcitync.org

Official Payments Telephone Instructions:

1. Call Official Payments at 1-888-272-9829

2. Select Option 3 for “Other Payments”

3. Enter jurisdiction code “4391” and press 1 to accept

4. Select Option 4 for Payment Type (Permits)

5. Follow prompts to receive confirmation number and write down number

6. Call or Email Planning & Inspections your confirmation number at 252-726-6848 x 125 or mhcpi@moreheadcitync.org

7. When paying by telephone, a service fee will be applied for each transaction completed. 

In-Person:

Staff can receive cash, check, and money order in-person. In order to pay with a credit card, it is necessary to utilize either the telephone or online payment method.

3. How to I submit a building permit application through the portal?

Click here for written instructions on submitting permit applications through the portal or click here for how-to video guidance.

4. How do I upload required permit submittals in the portal?

After a plan review is conducted, you may be asked for additional documents or a revision to a previously submitted item. Click here for written instructions on uploading a requested submittal or click here for a how-to guidance video .

5. What if the inspection I need isn't listed on the portal?

Click here for written instructions on using the miscellaneous inspection or Click here for how-to guidance video. 

6. How do I get a copy of my electrical slip through the permit portal?

Click here for written instructions or Click here for how-to guidance video. 

Show All Answers

1. Is my property located in a flood zone?

You may contact staff at 252-726-6848 x121 or via email or go to the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping System website to determine whether your property is located in a flood zone.

2. What is an Ordinance Amendment?

An Ordinance Amendment (OA) is a request to change the adopted text contained in Morehead City's Unified Development Ordinance. Amendments may be initiated by the Town, an individual representing a group or single applicant, for example, requesting to amend the permitted uses allowed in a particular zoning district. Ordinance Amendments are reviewed by the Planning Board and Council. 

Click HERE for additional information on Ordinance Amendments and their review process.

3. What is a Rezoning?

A Rezoning request is a method of changing the zoning classification of a property to a different zoning classification. For example, residentially-zoned property may need to be rezoned in order to permit commercial activity. Rezoning requests are reviewed by the Planning Board and Council.

Click HERE for additional information on Rezoning requests and their review process.

Rezoning Process Flow Chart (JPG)

4. What types of subdivisions are excluded from an in-depth subdivision approval process?

The types of subdivisions that are excluded from an in-depth approval process are divided in to two categories, Subdivision Exemptions and Expedited Subdivisions. All subdivisions are reviewed by Planning Staff. 

Subdivision Exemptions include combination or recombination plats of previously recorded lots, ten (10) acres or more divisions, public acquisition, and the division of two (2) acres or less into three (3) lots or less, where the resultant lots meet or exceed the standards of the Town of Morehead City. 

Expedited Subdivisions are divisions of parcel greater than five (5) acres under single ownership, not fitting a Subdivision Exemptions (above), has not been divided in the past ten (10) years, into no more than three (3) lots and meeting all lot dimension size requirements, applicable zoning requirements, and including a permanent means of ingress and egress to each lot.

Click HERE for additional information on Subdivision Exemptions and Expedited Subdivisions and their review process.

5. What is a Minor Subdivision?

A Minor Subdivision is defined as the division of five (5) acres or less into five (5) or fewer lots, which creates no new public or private streets or roads, no right-of-way dedication, and no new easements except for electrical, drainage, cable, or telephone easements, and no utility extensions. All Minor Subdivisions are reviewed by Planning Staff.

Click HERE for additional information on Minor Subdivisions and their review process.

6. What is a Major Subdivision?

A Major Subdivision is any division of land that does not fall under the classification of Excluded Subdivision or Minor Subdivision. Major Subdivisions are reviewed by the Planning Board and Council in a multiple step process.

Click HERE for additional information on Major Subdivisions and their review process.

7. Can I develop my property as a multifamily development?

Multifamily developments are a residence designed for or occupied by three (3) or more families, with separate housekeeping and cooking facilities for each, including apartments, hotel apartments, and group housing projects, (including some forms of unit ownership (condominium)               development and townhouse development). Multifamily developments may be age-restricted. Multifamily developments are reviewed by the Planning Board and Council and potentially Board of Adjustment as well. 

Click HERE for additional information in multifamily developments and their review process.                        

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1. What is a special use?

A special use permit is a permit issued to authorize development or land uses in a particular zoning district upon presentation of competent, material, and substantial evidence establishing compliance with one or more general standards requiring that judgement and discretion be exercised as well as compliance with specific standards.   An "S" in the Table of Permissible Uses indicates a special use in the specified district. When considering a request for a special use permit, the Board of Adjustment may impose reasonable and appropriate conditions upon these permits. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any special use application with staff prior to submittal. 

2. What is a variance?

A variance may be granted only by the Board of Adjustment pursuant to Section 3-7.3. The variance process is a method of enabling property owners to make use of their property in a way that conflicts with the literal interpretation of the ordinance. More specifically, a variance grants relief from the Unified Development Ordinance. Use variances are not permitted under North Carolina state law. The Board of Adjustment makes its decision to approve or deny a variance request based upon specific criteria. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any variance application with staff prior to submittal.

3. How can I tell if a use is allowed on my property?

Morehead City is divided into zoning districts. These districts have both permitted uses that are allowed by right and other uses that are allowed as special uses. The Table of Permissible Uses is contained in the Unified Development Ordinance.

4. Do I need approval to run a business out of my home?

Morehead City has two classifications of home occupations. Type A home occupations are those where residents use their home as a place of work; however, no employees or customers come to the site. Type B home occupations are those where residents use their home as a place of work and either one employee or customers come to the site. A special use permit is required prior to establishing a Type B home occupation.

5. How do I submit a request for a Variance or Special Use Permit?

Please contact the Planning & Inspections Department at 252-726-6848 x125 for information on submitting a Board of Adjustment application.

6. Can I speak with Board of Adjustment members about my case prior to the hearing?

No. Hearings are conducted in a quasi-judicial manner, and members may not speak about cases prior to the hearing. You may, however, receive assistance from staff or seek professional legal advice.