Zoning is a commonly used land use management tool in planning. Traditionally, zoning is the process by which a community is divided into districts or "zones." It separates incompatible land uses and limits industrial, commercial, and residential development to specific "zones". Each "zone" has a different set of uses, densities, dimensional requirements, and other development standards.

Zoning also allows a variety of uses to exist harmoniously together within a community. Zoning helps protect public and private interests, preserve critical areas, promote orderly growth, and encourages development at a rate and manner that reflects the community desires and vision through the policies set forth in the adopted Land Use Plan.

A REZONING is required when a property owner proposes to use his/her land for purposes other than permitted by the current zoning classification. Rezoning requests are reviewed for recommendation by the Planning Department Staff and Planning Board and then forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for the final determination.

All rezonings must be CONSISTENT with the Brunswick County CAMA Land Use Plan Map. If an applicant can demonstrate a change in the character of an area that warrants a departure from the adopted Land Use Plan or demonstrate that the request is consistent with one or more of the adopted Land Use Plan Policies located within the Brunswick County CAMA Land Use Plan Update document, then the applicant can request a Land Use Amendment. A Land Use Amendment can be requested in conjunction with the rezoning request.

• Rezoning Brochure
• Rezoning Application
• Rezoning Deadline Schedule

Information Needed:

After a specific request is determined then a formal rezoning application must be submitted to the Planning Department.

1. A complete rezoning application
   (Can be obtained by contacting Planning and Community Development)
   
2. Rezoning request must be consistent with CAMA Land Use Plan.
   If the request is not consistent then the applicant must request a Land Use Plan Amendment and demonstrate a change in the character of the area and consistency with adopted Land Use Plan Policies by filling out the Land Use Plan Consistency section on the rezoning application. Additionally there is a Land Use Plan Amendment Fee of $200.00.
   
3. Submit 15 folded copies of a recent plat, survey or other map that shows the location and dimensions of the area proposed to be rezoned.
   
4. Rezoning Filing fees:
   < 5.00 acres - $300.00
   5.00 to 49.99 acres - $500.00
   50.00 to 99.00 acres - $750.00
   >100 acres - $1,000.00

After submittal a staff member will review the application to ensure the application is complete.
The request will then be scheduled on the next AVAILABLE agenda to go before the Planning Board for the public hearing.

Before the case is heard by the Planning Board, a staff review of the application is completed in conjunction with various other County and State agencies. Planning Staff prepares an analysis and recommendation.

Anyone interested in a particular rezoning request may call the Planning Department to address their questions and concerns. Public Notices detailing the request, including the time, date and place of the Planning Board Meeting, are sent to all adjacent property owners and placed in local papers. Additionally, a sign detailing the case number will be posted on the property.

At the Planning Board meeting, the Planning Department Staff will present the case. The applicant or property owner, must be present at the meeting to explain plans for the property. Area property owners and other interested parties are allowed to speak before the Planning Board during the public hearing.

Staff will provide an an an analysis and recommendation. Following discussion and review of the case, the Planning Board will decide upon a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. The Planning Board may recommend the request be approved as submitted, approved with conditions, denied, or deferred to a later meeting.

Following the Planning Board action, rezoning requests are considered by the Board of Commissioners.

The procedure for the Board of Commissioners Meeting begins by having a first reading. This allows the Board of Commissioners to schedule a date for a second reading that includes a public hearing. Notification of the public hearing will be advertised in local papers and public notices will be sent again to all adjacent property owners.

At a regular scheduled meeting the Board of Commissioners will move for final action on the request. The request may be approved as submitted, approved with conditions, denied, or deferred to a later meeting.

If the request is approved, the property owner may proceed with development plans, taking into consideration any supplementary conditions which may have been imposed by the Board and ensuring that all proposed development meet normal site plan and building plan review prior to the start of construction.

For information on these processes, contact the Planning and Community Development Department at 910/253-2025 or 800/621-0609 and the Building Inspection Department at 910/253-2050.

If the rezoning is not approved, the Board of Commissioners must wait one year to act on a request on the same parcel of land unless there has been a substantial change as outlined in Section 3.12.12 of the Brunswick County Unified Development Ordinance.