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Planning Department


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NOTICE: Annual Department Report Now Available

The purpose of zoning is to regulate the use of land including the use, placement, size of buildings, and yard requirements. Zoning laws are an important part of urban and community planning. Zoning laws help to create a community that is a safe, logical, and a comfortable place to live and work. Zoning is the act or process of partitioning a town into zones reserved for different purposes (such as residence or business).

Zoning enforces many restrictions like height limitations, space requirement, building size, and other development... It protects existing property values by preventing incompatible uses of a property and zoning keeps buildings from being built too close to each other.

Are you trying to find out what zoning district your property is in, and what kind of development is allowed on your property? Or what the regulations are for accessory structures and pool, or what setbacks apply to your property? Provided below are links to help answers some frequently asked questions: 

"What is the Table of Uses?"

"What is a UDO?"

  • The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) contains the Town's regulations concerning the use and development of land and buildings, and houses the Table of Uses.
  • Oak Island's UDO addresses concerns with zoning districts, permissible types of construction, stormwater restrictions, and natural resource conservation, among other topics.
  • CLICK HERE to view the UDO
  • CLICK HERE to view the Zoning Map 

Contact the Department 

For assistance with any of the information listed, please contact the Department by calling 910-278-5024, or using the correct Division Contact Form provided below: