Development Application Forms, Early Assistance, and Verification Letters

The application submittal and fee payment process is all-digital and paper-free. Please do not deliver materials via mail as these items will not be processed or returned. Use the blue button immediately below to launch the application guide after completing an application form and reviewing the submittal checklist. For Building Permits and Inspections application submittal, payment, and questions visit the Inspections site.

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Planning

1. General Information and Fees

  1. Application guide, fee schedule, online payment, and submittal portal
  2. Fee Payments/Schedules (PDF)

6. Site Plans and Compliance

  1. Site Plans and Plats
    1. Pre-submittal
      1. Schedule Concept or Multi-departmental Pre-submittal Meetings.  
    2. Level 1 Site Plan Application and Submittal Checklist (PDF)
      • A site plan requiring only Planning Department review
    3. Level 2 Site Plan Application and Submittal Checklist (PDF)
      • A site plan with:
        • A maximum of 500 square feet (sq. ft.) of new impervious surfaces added;
        • No changes in stormwater management;
        • No more than1,000 sq. ft. of new, habitable building area (parking structures are considered habitable building area); and
        • Less than 12,000 sq. ft. of land disturbance
    4. Level 3 Site Plan Application and Submittal Checklist (PDF)
      • A site plan with:
        • A maximum of 500 square feet (sq. ft.) of new impervious surfaces (in addition to new building if not on existing impervious)
        • No changes in stormwater management; 
        • Greater than 1,000 sq. ft. of new, habitable building area (parking structures are considered habitable building area); and 
        • Less than 12,000 sq. ft. of land disturbance
    5. Level 4, Major Site Plan, and Preliminary Plats and Submittal Checklist (PDF)
      A site plan that does not meet the definitions of a Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Major Site Plan)
    6. Site Plan and Plat Amendment Application and Submittal Checklist (PDF)
    7. Final Plat, Exempt Plat, and ROW Withdrawal Application and Submittal Checklist (PDF) 
    8. Additional Information
      1. Site Plan and Plat Standard Notes (PDF)
      2. City Stormwater Submittal Requirements (PDF)
      3. County Stormwater Submittal Requirements (PDF)
      4. Interactive Buffer Model (MS Excel download)
      5. Affordable Housing Bonus Rules and Procedures (PDF)
      6. Payment-in-Lieu of Recreation Land/Open Space Dedication Worksheet (PDF)
  2. Site Compliance
    1. Outdoor Lighting Certification (PDF)
    2. Site Compliance Checklist (PDF)
    3. Landscape Extension Request Form (PDF)
    4. Landscape Compliance Certification (PDF)
    5. Request for Planning Inspection Sign-Off Form (PDF)

7. Other Planning Applications

  1. ABC Zoning Verification (beer and wine license)
    1. Step 1:  Apply for ABC Permit (apply to ABC Commission).
    2. Step 2:  Initiate review for zoning, building inspection, and fire marshal (apply to Durham Police Dept). 
                    Note: For local government review see Inspection & Zoning Compliance Form.
    3. Step 3:  Obtain local beer and wine license (apply to City Finance department).   
  2. Architectural Review
    1. Architectural Review Application (PDF)
    2. Architectural Review Explained (PDF)
  3. Electrical Reconnection Request
    1. Electrical Reconnection Request Form (PDF)
    2. Electrical Reconnection Explained (PDF)
  4. Home Occupation Permit
    1. Home Occupation Permit Application (PDF)
  5. Neighborhood Protection Overlay 
    1. Process Overview
      1. Neighborhood Protection Overlay Process (PDF)
    2. Application
      1. Neighborhood Protection Overlay Application (PDF)
      2. Neighborhood Protection Overlay Petition Form (PDF)
      3. Neighborhood Protection Overlay Pre-Submittal Meeting Request Form (PDF)
    3. Additional Information
      1. Neighborhood Protection Overlay Design Worksheet (PDF)
      2. Community Engagement Plan for Applicants (PDF)
  6. Outdoor Seating Permits
    1. Outdoor Seating Permit Application
    2. Temporary Outdoor Seating Permit Application (PDF)
  7. Riparian Buffer Determinations
    1. Cape Fear and Neuse Riparian Buffer Mitigation Application (PDF)
    2. Cape Fear Riparian Buffer - No Practical Alternative Application (PDF)
    3. Cape Fear Riparian Buffer Variance Application (PDF)
  8. Signage
    1. Signage Permit Application and Checklist (PDF)
    2. Common Signage Plan Application, Checklist, and Worksheet (PDF)
  9. Street Closing
    1. Street Closing Pre-Submittal Meeting Form (PDF)
    2. Street Closing Application (PDF)
  10. Street Renaming  
    1. Street Renaming Application (PDF)
    2. Street Naming Guidelines (PDF)
  11. Temporary Use Permits
    1. Temporary Use Permit Application (PDF)
    2. Application for Residential PODS Only (PDF)
  12. Watershed Determination
    1. Watershed Determination Application (PDF)
    2. Pre-submittal meeting registration
    3. Record of Community Engagement Form (PDF)
  13. Wireless Communication Facility (WCF) Plans
    1. Wireless Communication Facility Application and Checklist (PDF)
    2. Small Cell Wireless Permit Application (PDF)
  14. Zoning and Business Verification Requests
    1. Step 1:  Pay fee (choose payment option #4) 
    2. Step 2:  Request Verification Type  

      1. Zoning Designation Verification Letter Request

      2. Business Use Verification Letter Request
        Also used for Land Disturbance letters (Durham County) and DEQ Air quality zoning letters.

      3. DMV Verification Letter Request  
      4. Family & Group Home Verification Letter Request 
      5. Street Vendor Registration Request