Coastal Development Permits

Division of Coastal Management

Importance of coastal development permitting

North Carolina's coast is an environment of delicate natural balances and the setting for various activities that are often intense and sometimes conflicting. Improper development and poorly sited construction can have a variety of detrimental effects on the environment including destruction of the ocean front and property and disruption of fish and shellfish habitats. To lessen these effects, North Carolina's Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) requires permits for development undertaken within areas designated by the Coastal Resource Commission (CRC) as Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs). These areas cover virtually all the coastal waters and 3 percent of the land area of the 20 coastal counties.

Four primary conditions covered by permits

It is located in one of the 20 counties covered by CAMA (Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Carteret, Camden, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, Pasquotank, Pamlico, Pender, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington);
It is in or affects an Area of Environmental Concern;
It is considered "development" under the terms of the Act; and
It does not qualify for an exemption identified under the Act or by the Coastal Resource Commission (CRC).

Applicants should check with the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) field representative or local permit officer to determine if the proposed project qualifies for an exemption

Area of Environmental Concern (AEC)

A project is probably in an AEC if it is:

In or on waters of the state;
On a marsh or wetland area;
Within 75 feet of the mean high water line along the estuarine shoreline;
Within about 300 to 500 feet of the ocean beach;
Within about 1,000 to 2,000 feet of an inlet; or
Near one of the public water supplies designated as an AEC.

The DCM field representative or local permit officer should be contacted to determine if the proposed development is within an AEC.

Development activities in AECs that generally require permits

Development activities for which permits are required include, but are not limited to, dredging or filling coastal wetlands or waters; construction of marinas, docks, piers, bulkheads, ocean front structures, or private or public roads; or land-disturbing activities within 75 feet of the mean high water line along estuarine shorelines.

Effect of AECs on the permitting process

Separate review procedures take place for development projects proposed within AECs and projects outside AECs.

Projects within AECs: A project within an AEC is required to obtain a major, major general, or minor permit unless it is exempt. A project that requires state permits or a federal approval or permit requires a major permit. Certain routine activities may qualify for a major general permit. If no state permits or federal approvals or permits are necessary, a minor permit may be required. (Refer to the fact sheets entitled CAMA Major, Major General, and Minor Development Permits).

Projects outside AECs: A project located outside an AEC but within the 20 coastal counties requiring a federal permit (such as filling of wetlands) does not require a CAMA permit but is required to undergo a consistency review. The CAMA consistency review group coordinates the review with other agencies and makes recommendations to the federal agencies. The DCM is notified of projects outside the AECs but within the 20 coastal counties by the federal agency from which a permit is being requested. Federal agencies provide information needed by the DCM to conduct a consistency review of the project.

Processing time

Processing of CAMA major development permit applications takes an average of 75 to 80 days but may take as many as 150 days in certain cases. Major general permits usually require from 1 to 7 days to authorize in the field. Minor permits require local government approval and take about 12 days to be issued.

Associated fees

The application fee for a CAMA major permit is $250. CAMA major general and minor permits require a $50 fee.

For more information . . .

The Environmental Permit Information Center (EPIC) can provide additional general information about the CAMA permitting process. For more specific information, one of the four DCM field offices should be contacted. These offices are located in Elizabeth City (919/264-3901), Washington (919/946-6481), Morehead City (919/808-2808), and Wilmington (910/395-3900).