The Land and Development Services Department coordinates the review, approval, and permit issuance of all development-related permitting for properties within the City of Salisbury and extraterritorial jurisdiction. Almost all development activity must receive a city Zoning Permit before obtaining a Building Permit from the county. The Rowan County Building Inspections department coordinates NC State Building Code permits, which may include plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and structural review. They can be reached by calling (704) 216-8619 or by emailing BuildingInspections@rowancountync.gov
This page details the type of permits that are coordinated by the Land and Development Services department, provides an electronic version of the application, as well as the applicable fee schedule for processing.
If you need information about zoning, utility, signs, and other permits, please call Land and Development Services at (704) 638-5208 or email 1stop@salisburync.gov.
New Pre-Application Process
EFFECTIVE 2-14-2022: Due to the significant increase in development proposals, it has become necessary to establish a structured timeline for all pre-application meetings. Please reference the procedures outlined below as well as the provisions provided in the Land Development Ordinance.
Pre-Application Process
Print Version (PDF)
STEP 1: Contact the City of Salisbury One Stop Development Shop at (704) 638-5208 to
speak to a zoning specialist to verify the zoning of the proposal is consistent with the
permitted uses outlined in the Land Development Ordinance (LDO).
STEP 2: Visit the City of Salisbury website to review the LDO requirements for the
design and submittal requirements as outlined in Chapter 15 at
https://salisburync.gov/Government/Land-and-Development/Land-Development-Ordinance.
STEP 3: Submit the conceptual / preliminary design to 1Stop@salisburync.gov to
request a pre-application meeting by the 1st business day of the month to request a
pre-application review on the 2nd Thursday of the month. During this meeting, you will
be advised of the review type your proposal will need to follow such as Minor or Major
Subdivision, Minor or Major Site Plan, Conditional District Rezoning, General Rezoning,
or other as specified as well as design criteria that needs to be met.
STEP 4: Upon addressing all preliminary comments, submit the proposed plan review
and application type to 1Stop@salisburync.gov by the 1st business day of the month of
the following month in order to proceed to the 3rd Thursday of the month for review
by the Technical Review Committee (TRC). The remaining legislative process for
Planning Board and City Council will be noticed upon scheduling.
To request a pre-application meeting, contact Development Services at (704) 638-5208
or email 1Stop@salisburync.gov. Proposed plans must be submitted by the deadline
to be considered for the next available meeting date and may be subject to delay due to high case load.
Pre-Application Meeting Schedule
Print Version (PDF)
Pre-application meetings are required per the Land Development Ordinance Chapter 15 prior to formal development submittal and prior to moving forward in
the legislative review process. Upon meeting the submittal deadline, the preapplication meetings will be held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 9:00
a.m. Please take notice that these meetings are held electronically to remain consistent with limiting physical interactions and the potential
spread of COVID-19. The following schedule shows the deadline dates for submittals and meeting schedule for 2023.
Deadline Date |
Meeting Date |
January 2 |
January 12 |
February 1 |
February 9 |
March 1 |
March 9 |
April 1 |
April 13 |
May 2 |
May 12 |
June 1 |
June 8 |
July 3 |
July 13 |
August 1 |
August 10 |
September 1 |
September 14 |
October 2 |
October 12 |
November 1 |
November 9 |
December 1 |
December 14 |
Technical Review Committee Schedule
Print Version (PDF)
The Technical Review Committee for the City of Salisbury will hold regular meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. Please take notice that these meetings are held electronically to remain consistent with limiting physical interactions and the potential spread of COVID-19. Call (704) 638-5208 or email 1stop@salisburync.gov for more information. The following schedule shows the deadline dates for submittals and the meeting dates for 2023.
Deadline Date |
Meeting Date |
January 2 |
January 19 |
February 1 |
February 16 |
March 1 |
March 16 |
April 3 |
April 20 |
May 1 |
May 18 |
June 1 |
June 15 |
July 3 |
July 20 |
August 1 |
August 17 |
September 1 |
September 21 |
October 2 |
October 19 |
November 1 |
November 16 |
December 1 |
December 21 |
Development Activity not Requiring Board or Commission Consideration:
Some development activity may be processed and approved at a staff level. These activities require submittal of the application and set of development plans. Fees for these permits are paid at the time of permit issuance:
Zoning Permit
This is the go-to permit for almost all development activity. This permit is required for issuance of Rowan County Building Permits. Although other development processes may be required prior to permit issuance, the Zoning Permit is required for the following types of development activity. Projects defined as *Minor Site Plan or **Major Site Plan, which requires formal site plan review, must also include the Site Plan Supplement Form:
Service |
Cost |
New House |
$50 |
New Multi-Family Residential |
$150 |
New Non-Residential |
$300 |
Residential Addition / Accessory / Upfit |
$25 |
Non-Residential Addition / Accessory / Upfit |
$100 |
Temporary Use Permit |
$100 |
Temporary Construction Trailer |
$25 |
Minor Site Plan Review |
$150 |
Major Site Plan Review |
$500 |
Application (PDF) Erosion Control (PDF) Site Plan Supplemental Form (PDF) * Minor Site Plan is defined as Multi-Family < 8 units, Non-Residential development < 10,000-sf, or any Industrial development ** Major Site Plan is defined as Multi-Family 8+ units, Non-Residential development >9,999-sf
Erosion and Sediment Control Agreement
Single-family residential development/single-family residential lot, erosion and sediment control installation and maintenance agreement for any land disturbing activity less than one acre.
Agreement (PDF)
Zoning Permit for Signs
Almost all signs erected in the City of Salisbury zoning jurisdiction require a Zoning Permit for Signs. Examples of exempt signs that do not require a permit include, but may not be limited to, government signage, flags, wall murals, and building accents.
Service |
Cost |
Special Event or Temporary Signs |
$25 |
Changes to Existing Signage |
$50 |
New Signs / Sign Packages |
$100 |
Application (PDF)
Certificate of Registration
The Certificate of Registration permit is the replacement program for the Business (Privilege) License tax that was repealed by the state in 2015. Except for a Home Occupation Permit, the city business registration program is free and is used to determine proper zoning as well as update the Fire Marshal for annual inspection purposes.
Service |
Cost |
Home Occupation |
$50 |
Application (PDF)
Certificate of Appropriateness
A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required for all site and/or exterior building activity occurring in a Local Historic District. There are five (5) Local Historic Districts in the City of Salisbury: 1) Brooklyn-South Square, 2) Downtown, 3) Ellis Street Graded School District, 4) North Main Street, 5) West Square. Some of the development activity requires consideration by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Please email or call the staff liaison to the HPC for details.
Service |
Cost |
Minor Work COA |
No Fee |
Major Work COA |
$25 |
After-the-Fact COA |
$250 |
Application (PDF) Agent Form - HPC Consideration (PDF)
Demolition Permit
Demolition of any structure within the City of Salisbury corporate limits requires issuance of a Demolition Permit. Demolition Permits are processed by the Code Services division and may require a public hearing. If a demolition is proposed in a Local Historic District, it must receive Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approval prior to the issuance of any permits. If located in a National Register District, the HPC must be provided a minimum 90-day notice; however, the commission may reduce, or remove, the 90-day notice if found that the property has no historic value or significance.
Service |
Cost |
Demolition Permit |
$50 |
Demolition COA by the HPC |
No Fee |
Application (PDF)
Sidewalk Dining Permit and Application
Dining of any kind on the sidewalk near an establishment within the City of Salisbury corporate limits requires issuance of a Sidewalk Dining Permit. Sidewalk Dining Permits are processed by the Code Services division and may require a public hearing.
Application (PDF)
Subdivision Review Application
For all combination, recombination or subdivision of land please complete the subdivision review application.
Service |
Cost |
Special Exception |
$200 |
Minor Subdivision |
$30/lot |
Major Subdivision |
$200+$10/lot |
Water/Sewer Line Extension Fees |
Cost |
Public Water |
$200 |
Public Sewer |
$200 |
Private Water |
$200 |
Private Sewer |
$200 |
Inspection Fees |
$1/LF inspection fees for permitted water/sewer extension and fire line inspections. Must be paid in full prior to or at the pre-construction meeting. |
Application (PDF)
Utility Review Only
Some development activity is outside of the city’s zoning and subdivision jurisdiction, but remains under utility review because the City of Salisbury is the owner and administrator of the entire Salisbury-Rowan Water & Sewer Utility System. Projects outside of the City of Salisbury or its’ extraterritorial jurisdiction requiring an extension of, or taps to, the water or sewer system must submit the following application:
Service |
Cost |
Public/Private Water (Fire or Domestic) Extension |
$200 per extension type |
Public/Private Sewer Extension |
$200 per extension type |
Application (PDF)
Development Activity Requiring Board or Commission Consideration:
The following activities require a public hearing and approval by a higher authority prior to the issuance of any development permits. Fees for these activities are paid at the time of application submittal:
Alternate Methods of Compliance
Some development projects and certain sign types propose unique design considerations that the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) does not address. In this case, a special Council-appointed commission entitled the Alternate Methods of Design Commission (AMDC) considers whether the proposed alternate method of compliance can be approved. The AMDC meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 4:30 p.m. Applications must be submitted at least 15 days in advance of the next available meeting.
Service |
Cost |
Alternate Methods of Compliance Review |
$50 |
Special Sign Permit |
$50 |
Application (PDF)
Variance or Appeal
A request for a variance to any specific provision of the Salisbury Land Development Ordinance or for an appeal of an administrative decision requires consideration by the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment meets on the 4th Tuesdays of the month. It is strongly recommended that you meet with planning staff to discuss your request prior to submitting an application.
Service |
Cost |
Administrative Appeal |
$350 |
Variance |
$350 |
Application (PDF)
Rezoning Petition
A petition to rezone property in the City of Salisbury zoning jurisdiction requires a recommendation by the Planning Board and approval by City Council. If a specific development proposal is associated with a rezoning, it is considered a Conditional District rezoning. The Planning Board meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month while the City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. A courtesy hearing may be held at the Planning Board while a public hearing must be held at City Council. It is strongly recommended that you meet with planning staff to discuss your petition prior to submitting an application.
Service |
Cost |
General Rezoning |
$800 |
Conditional District Rezoning (new) |
$1,200 |
Conditional District Rezoning (change) |
$900 |
Conditional District Minor Revision |
$50 |
Rezoning Application (PDF) Conditional District Supplement Form (PDF)
Special Use Permit
A Special Use Permit (SUP) is required for certain land uses in the City of Salisbury zoning jurisdiction and requires consideration by the City Council. The City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. It is strongly recommended that you meet with planning staff to discuss your request prior to submitting an application.
Service |
Cost |
Special Use Permit |
$500 |
Application (PDF)