The Town of Oak Island Comprehensive Land Use Plan is a to guide the long-term physical development in Oak Island's town boundary.

The contents of the comprehensive plan consists of the following elements:

• land use (both existing and future),
• demographics (existing and projected),
• housing,
• infrastructure,
• economic,
• recreation, and
• transportation.

A comprehensive plan is a tool for planning the future growth. Most importantly, a comprehensive plan can be used to address the constant change and evolution of a community. The Comprehensive Plan deals with issues related to the appropriate uses of land. The Oak Island plan addresses compatibility issues between various uses of land, management and preservation of natural resources, and adequate planning for infrastructure needs.