Union County, North Carolina

The Planning Department is responsible for administering the policies of the Board of County Commissioners regarding long-range planning (future direction of growth and facilities) and current planning (standards for growth as embodied in development ordinances).

The Planning Department focuses on:

• Implementation of the Union County Comprehensive Plan
• Through the update of the Union County Development Ordinance and development of a countywide thoroughfare plan
• Monitoring federal, state, regional and other local laws that impact land use/development and transportation planning
• Continuing efficient day-to-day services through subdivision/site plan review, rezoning processing, and general inquiries of land use and transportation plans
• Administrative land use processes for towns that accept County ordinances

To begin this process, three considerations must be addressed. These considerations are water and sewer, zoning and applicable codes.

Water and sewer may be regulated by Union County Public Works, Environmental Health or a combination of the two agencies.

Adherence to the NC Building Code is mandated by the Building Code Enforcement Division.

To secure a residential building permit you must submit a completed building permit application. Forms are available online via the link below or in our office. Along with this application you must either have an accessibility letter from Public Works of Sewer and/or Water (this letter may be required to come from the appropriate planning jurisdiction),or a septic permit or septic waiver from Environmental Health,. You will also need zoning approval (parcels under the jurisdiction of the County will be handled in our office), lien agent and workers comp information (if the job is over $30,000).

Cost of a residential permit is based upon square footage, (heated and/or unheated). Please reference the fee schedule listed in the popular resources section below.

The Zoning Administrator is responsible for the enforcement and administration of the Union County Development Ordinance which governs the use of property, setbacks from property lines, violations of the ordinance and floodplain for unincorporated Union County. The Zoning Administrator is also part of the commercial plan review of buildings being constructed within the County's jurisdiction.

Union County’s zoning jurisdiction does not include the following cities, towns and villages:

• Fairview
• Indian Trail
• Lake Park
• Marshville
• Marvin
• Mineral Springs
• Monroe
• Stallings
• Unionville
• Waxhaw
• Weddington
• Wesley Chapel
• Wingate

For more information about zoning in those jurisdictions please contact them directly. You can find their contact information in the Development Guide (page 48).

Each development activity has a specific process to follow. View the Development Guide for a synopsis of the various development processes.