Current Planning

COVID-19 UPDATE 07-13-21: The Planning and Inspections Department is currently working on a reopening plan to resume in-person services. The Planning Director will announce the plan once it is finalized. Until that time, Current Planning staff will continue to provide services via phone and email. Please call 919-245-2575 for general assistance or contact a specific Current Planner here. 

You may also submit Planning Application via email to planningapps@orangecountync.gov.  If you are submitting a building permit application, please email it to ocbuildingpermit@orangecountync.gov


The Current Planning Division is responsible for writing and enforcing zoning and subdivision regulations that are designed both to protect the natural environment and to affect the physical development of lands within the Orange County zoning jurisdiction.

  1. Services
  2. Application/Certificate Forms

Services Include

  • Review and analysis of all Major and Minor Subdivisions
  • Review and analysis of requests for Variances and Special Use Permits
  • Review of all commercial, industrial, and residential Site Plans to ensure compliance with applicable County, State, and Federal regulations
  • Review of Telecommunication (Cell) Towers and Facilities
  • Advocate for Green Building Design
  • Development of Small Area Plans
  • Coordination of infrastructure improvements during the development process:
    • Landscaping
    • Open space networks
    • Proposed street patterns
    • Utility provision
    • Water/Sewer provision
  • Regulation of Signs, Outdoor Lighting, and Landscaping Requirements
  • Regulation of Childcare and Education Facilities
  • Processing of all Zoning Atlas Amendments
  • Writing text amendments and making recommendations concerning petitioner-filed text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance
  • Enforcement of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) (PDF)
  • Enforcement of State and Local Watershed Regulations
  • Providing staff support to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Board of County Commissioners
  • Making public presentations and recommendations regarding regulatory issues and proposed developments

Major & Minor Subdivisions

Persons interested in subdividing their property should review Article 7, Subdivisions, of the Unified Development Ordinance (PDF). Applications for minor and major subdivisions can be found online.

Zoning Atlas Amendments

Persons interested in pursuing a rezoning in Orange County should review Section 2.8, Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments, of the Unified Development Ordinance. The application and Rezoning Request Checklist can be found online.

Commercial, Industrial & Residential Site Plans

Persons interested in making improvements to their property that may require site plan approval should review Section 2.4 and Section 2.5 of the Unified Development Ordinance for additional information and to determine what site plan application process will be required. The Site Plan Application Checklist and Zoning Compliance Survey can be found online.

Variances

Persons interested in applying for a variance should review Section 2.10, Variances, of the Unified Development Ordinance. A application for a variance can be found here.

Special Use Permits

Persons interested in applying for a Class A or Class B Special Use Permit should review Section 2.7, Special Use Permits, of the Unified Development Ordinance. Class A and Class B Special Use Permit applications can be found online.

Telecommunication Towers & Facilities

Persons interested in existing telecommunication towers in Orange County should click here to view a cell tower site inventory map. If you are interested in co-locating on an existing telecommunications tower, the inventory may assist you in your search.

For new tower applications, please refer to Section 5.10, Standards for Telecommunication Facilities, of the Unified Development Ordinance.

Planning Department staff can approve stealth towers and facilities less than 75 feet in height administratively. Only a building permit is normally required. For facilities greater than 75 feet, but less than 150 feet, a Class B Special Use Permit is required. Additional Information regarding the Class B Special Use Permit process can be found in Section 2.7, Special Use Permits, of the Unified Development Ordinance.

Signs

Persons wishing to install a new sign or modify an existing sign on their property should refer to Section 6.12, Signs, of the Unified Development Ordinance. A sign application can be found online.

Outdoor Lighting

Persons wishing to install outdoor lighting shall review Section 6.11, Outdoor Lighting, of the Unified Development Ordinance.

Landscaping Requirements

Standards regarding landscaping requirements can be found in Section 6.8, Landscaping, Buffers, and Tree Protection, of the Unified Development Ordinance.

Childcare & Educational Facilities

Standards regarding childcare and education facilities, including day cares, can be found in Section 5.8, Childcare and Education Facilities, of the Unified Development Ordinance. Day Care Home Applications can be found online.