Planning
The Planning Department guides the physical development of the Town. Examples of the department's work include implementation of the CAMA Land Use Plan;
Hurricane & Storm Preparedness Plan, administration and updating of the Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map; processing of rezoning, conditional use and variance
requests; review and processing of subdivisions; and support of the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.
For general planning & zoning information, please contact the Town's Planning Department.
Zoning
The Zoning Administrator is charged with the enforcement of the zoning ordinance.
A valid zoning permit shall be presented with any application for a CAMA permit. No building permit shall be issued for any activity in a zoned area until such zoning permit is presented. Contact the Town's Planning Department to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss your Zoning Permit Application.
CAMA
The Coastal Area Management Act requires permits for development in Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC). If you're planning any sort of development -- from a sandbag structure to a bridge to a condominium -- contact the Town's Planning Department and request a CAMA application.
Even if your project does NOT require a CAMA permit, it may be subject to consistency review if a Federal Permit or License is required. Please visit Division of Coastal Management's consistency page or contact the Town's CAMA LPO for more information.
Floodplain Administration
Since incorporation, the Town has made a concerted effort to protect it’s floodplain and manage its development by the adoption of various ordinances, regulations and practices. The Town has incorporated floodplain management goals into the CAMA Land Use Plan and created development regulation within it’s Town Code Ch. 8 Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. The Town joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program in 1990 and adopted its first Flood Damange Prevention Ordinance (FDPO) on May 2, 1990. The current Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance was approved on April 2, 2009.
All development requires an approved Floodplain Development Permit Application. A valid Floodplain Delelopment Permit be presented with any application for a building permit.
The Town participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) as one of its efforts to reduce the potential losses due to flooding for its citizens. This program, created by the NFIP, encourages communities to become proactive in their flood management planning activities. Under this program, participating communities receive a point rating reflective of their efforts in undertaking these activities. The CRS ratings result in reduced flood insurance premiums to floodplain residents.
In 2005, the NFIP conducted an audit of the Town's floodplain management efforts and awarded the Town a Class 7 rating, thus reducing flood insurance premiums throughout the City by 15 percent. This translate to a savings of $148 per policy per year and over $207,653 combined for North Topsail policy holders.
To request a copy of an elevation certificate, contact NTB Planning Dept at (910) 328-1349. The new elevation certificates and instructions can be downloaded from http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/elvinst.shtm.
Flood Maps
National Flood Insurance Program:
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Community participation in the program is voluntary. A community is an incorportated city, town, or part of a county that has a floodplain management ordinance and enforces the ordinance. When a community participates in the NFIP, flood insurance is made available from the NFIP. In addition, if the President declares a disaster as a result of flooding, federal financial assistance is made available for the permanent repair or reconstruction of insurable buildings. For proof that the Town participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, please see the National Flood Insurance Program Community Status Book.
Flood map determinations are provided by the Town as a service to the community. Map determinations are made either verbally, in person; by a written or faxed request that provides the Town with the tax parcel number. There is a nominal fee of $25.00 for written determinations. To request a map determination form, contact NTB Planning Dept at (910) 328-1349.
All Flood Insurance Rate Maps, Letters of Map Revision, Letters of Map Amendments, and Elevation Certificates issued are also made available as part of the map determination service along with information regarding flood insurance purchase requirements.
Town's Floodplain Ordinance:
The Town's floodplain management ordinance is located in Article 8 of the Town Code.
Floodplain maps:
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are on file and may be viewed at the Town's Planning Department, and in the reference section of the public library's main branch.
Resources:
Books: These books are available at the Sneads Ferry Library:
Design manual for retrofitting flood-prone residential structures. Answers to questions about the National Flood Insurance Program Flood emergency and residential repair handbook. Flood proofing systems & techniques : examples of flood proofed structures in the United States Floodproofing non-residential structures. Answers to questions about substantially damaged buildings Design guidelines for flood damage reduction Manufactured home installation in flood hazard areas Elevated residential structures Coastal construction manual : principles and practices of planning, siting, designing, constructing, and maintaining residential buildings in coastal
Other agencies: