Permits

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:

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.

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.

The Certificate of Registration permit is the replacement program for the Business (Privilege) License tax that was repealed by the state in 2015.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.

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.

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.

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.

For all combination, recombination or subdivision of land please complete the subdivision review application.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.