These answers are true for properties within
Iredell County’s zoning jurisdiction-which consists of properties in the unincorporated
county with some exceptions. Sometimes
parcels can be outside of town limits, but still within that town’s zoning jurisdiction. If you are close to the town limit please
call our office at 704.832.1842 to find out which zoning jurisdiction you are in.
The first step in getting a septic system site evaluation / permit is to come to our office to get a zoning permit and pay $541.65 in fees ($56.65 for the zoning permit and $485 for the septic system site evaluation / permit). You will leave our office with a zoning permit showing the setbacks that the house has to meet, and three(3) forms to fill out before going to Environmental Health to apply for a septic permit. You may call one of the numbers located on the top of the green form (704-878-5305 for the Statesville Environmental Health office or 704-664-5281 for the Mooresville office) to be sure which office you will be served from and where to take your completed forms. You will need to take a copy of your zoning payment receipt, a floor plan of the home you intend to construct or move in, as well as the three(3) completed forms to the appropriate Environmental Health office location. Once your forms are reviewed, your name will be placed on a work list.
Home businesses need zoning permits called “home occupation” permits. There are different permits one can obtain, depending on the nature of the business and the location. The most common permit we give is called a “customary home occupation” permit that allows a business to be run out of a residence, but there are others that allow a business to be run out of a shed out back, or others allowing for contractors’ businesses. Come to our office to make sure you can meet the requirements to be a home occupation and to fill out the necessary paperwork. It takes about fifteen minutes, costs $55, and the permit is good for as long as the parcel exists.
Yes, zoning permits are required for all accessory buildings—even pole sheds. The zoning permit will explain the setbacks the accessory building has to meet. Usually the setbacks are 10 feet from all property lines, except for lake lots and corner lots. Come to our office to get a zoning permit. Next, visit the health department to make sure the proposed building will not be constructed on the septic lines or the septic field. Then, come back to the Building Standards Center to get the building permit.
We have mobile home instructions on our website under “development guidelines”. The planning and development department at times charges mobile home applicants $485 for a “perc test” and $480 for a well inspection. Mobile homes older than 1976 cannot be set up in Iredell County’s zoning jurisdiction. Iredell County has some requirements about underskirting, porches, and rooflines (see “development guidelines” link). Mobile homes should be set up parallel to the road, with some exceptions. After you get the zoning permit and septic and well inspections you can obtain a building permit and have the building inspection process explained to you.
Signs require zoning and building permits. For the zoning permit, bring to our zoning office a sketch or diagram showing the sign’s dimensions and wording, and a sketch of the location of the sign on the property, along with other existing signs on property, if applicable (wall and/or ground signs). If the sign is small, these sketches will suffice for the building permit. If the sign is over 32 square feet or over 5 feet tall, however, an engineer will have to provide drawings for the building permit. The drawings will be submitted to Lorrie Moore in the Building Inspections Department at 704.878.2021.
See a planner in our office at 704.928.2048. All subdivisions must meet minimum requirements and be approved by staff.
The first step is making an appointment with a planner in our office at 704.832.2398. The County Commissioners vote on rezonings, but planners and the planning board make recommendations as well. Many factors are considered, but mainly all parties consider whether the proposed rezoning fits into the future land use plan. The rezoning process takes about 2 months and costs $500.
A fence can be on the property line, as long as it doesn’t encroach onto your neighbor’s property. Fences cannot be over 8 feet tall.
Ask a planner to write a “zoning verification letter” made out to your DMV inspector. You could obtain the letter in person, or request it by fax or mail. Our fax number is 704.928.2025.
Site plans are required to get a zoning permit for all projects that are not single-family residential. You could drop them by a planner’s office in person (704.878.3127) or mail them to Iredell County Planning and Development/PO Box 788/Statesville, NC 28687. The site plan review process takes about two weeks. At the end of the review you will receive and pay for a zoning permit that enables you to submit architectural plans for the building permits.
Yes. To get the zoning permit for any additions or modifications you will have to submit new site plans.
junk cars (if there are more than 6 cars that aren’t currently registered)
setback violations
illegal home occupations
The zoning code does not address noise, tall grass, or general junk (unless the site could be classified as a junkyard or scrapyard)
