You can use the online permitting system to apply for:

• Zoning Compliance Permits for properties other than one- or two-family dwellings
  • Visit Building & Development Services to apply for zoning review for one- or two-family dwellings (including townhouses on individual lots)
• The subdivision or recombination of lots, easements, and other lot changes
• Concept Plans
• Conditional Zoning and other types of Rezoning (zoning atlas amendments)
• Special uses
• Community Design Commission or Planning Commission review
• Certificate of Appropriateness for properties in Chapel Hill’s local historic districts
• Certificate of Appropriateness and Form District Permit for properties in Blue Hill
• Appeals or variances
• Zoning letters
• Other applications and requests reviewed by Building & Development Services or Public Works

You’ll find detailed information on the materials you need for each application in the online permitting system. Visit the online permitting system and select the application you need. If you aren’t sure what type of application to submit, complete the Pre-Application Question form (link below).

Concept Plans:

• Concept plan applications are due by 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. For more information, see the Concept Plan Review Schedule.

Other Applications

• Many of our other applications are due by noon every other Thursday. See the First Submittal TRT Schedule for the complete list of applications with this deadline. Applications not included in that list may be submitted at any time.

Building and Development Services Online Permit Center
Applications reviewed by Chapel Hill Building and Development Services are available at the link above. Check here if none of the Planning applications seem like the right fit for your project. Some commonly used applications in the Online Permit Center include:

• Residential Permits for one- or two-family dwellings (including townhouses on individual lots)
• Commercial Permits for additions or alterations to commercial properties

Fee Schedule 
Fees are updated on July 1 with each new Town budget. Land use and zoning applications pay fees according to the Planning Development Fee Schedule. In addition, many applications pay fees for the Fire Department and Engineering & Design Services. Payment of all applicable fees is due before review can begin. You can pay online or at the Revenue Office located at Town Hall.

The Manager may negotiate and charge a fee or reimbursement for plan review, amendment or other types of applications not listed in this schedule adopted by the Town Council based on a determination that such fees and reimbursements are reasonably calculated to reflect the cost of Town services associated with said review.

Mailed Development Notices
For many application types, the Town will mail a notice to nearby property owners and building occupants. Planning staff will generate a list of addresses once you submit your application. A Development Notice Fee is required to cover the cost of these mailings. If you need to know the fee amount or other information about mailings before you submit your application, please contact planning@townofchapelhill.org.

Certificate of Adequate Public Schools (CAPS)
These certificates are required for new residential development in Orange County by the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO). Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) must approve a certificate before the Town can issue a Zoning Compliance Permit, which is required before the construction phase of a development can begin. Contact the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board to obtain a certificate.

The SAPFO helps manage enrollment demand and classroom capacity for CHCSS. Annual reports with capacity data are produced by the CHCCS Technical Advisory Committee and provided to the Chapel Hill Town Council, Carrboro Town Council, and the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

Development Review Process
This varies by application type. When you find your application type in the online permitting system, you’ll see information on the process and review schedule that your application will need to follow.

The Technical Review Team (TRT) reviews land use and zoning applications. TRT includes a mix of Town staff and external agency staff involved in regulatory review. Check the First Submittal TRT Schedule for more information on the steps in technical review of applications.

What is a Development Agreement?

A development agreement is a unique tool for large projects that will be built over a period of up to 20 years. A development agreement provides the developer a level of certainty about what it can build and what mitigation measures will be required. Development agreements also allow the Town to look at the long-term horizon and make sure proposed developments fit with the Town’s comprehensive planning efforts and local policies.

Why Use a Development Agreement?

Development agreements provide developers assurance that their project can be built over a long time period without concerns about future changes in regulations or policies. For the Town, development agreements allow for greater flexibility in determining conditions and requirements for the project. 

Learn More

Contact the Planning Department at planning@townofchapelhill.org or (919) 968-2728 if you are interested in pursuing a Development Agreement. Additional resources provided at the links below.

• Presentation Materials (February 8, 2018 Public Information Meeting)
• Development Agreements: Frequently Asked Questions (MS Word)
• Special Topic Presentation: Development Agreements (June 19, 2013)
• Enabling Legislation