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1. How do I open a home business?

Home businesses need zoning permits called “home occupation” permits. There are different permits one can obtain, depending on the nature of the business and the location. The most common permit we give is called a “customary home occupation” permit that allows a business to be run out of a residence, but there are others that allow a business to be run out of a shed out back, or others allowing for contractors’ businesses.

Come to our office on the 1st floor of the Building Standards Center at 349 North Center Street to make sure you can meet the requirements to be a home occupation and to fill out the necessary paperwork. It takes about 15 minutes, costs $77.25, and the permit is good for as long as the parcel exists.

2. How do I get a septic system site evaluation / permit?

The 1st step in applying for a septic system site evaluation / permit is to come in person to The Central Permitting Office located on the 1st floor of the Building Standards Center at 349 North Center Street (we do not issue zoning permits over the phone). There you will pay a total of $577.25 (this includes a $77.25 zoning fee and $500 for the septic system site evaluation).

There are 3 forms to be completed for Environmental Health, you can fill these out in the office or print them and bring them in. The forms and a copy of your zoning permit will be submitted to the Environmental Health Division.

Please also bring your floor plans for your home if you have them available. If your property is located north of Ostwalt Amity Road, your paperwork will be submitted to the Statesville office, and if your property is South of Ostwalt Amity Road in Iredell County your forms will be submitted to the Mooresville Office. Once your forms are reviewed, you will be placed on a work list and an Environmental Health Specialist will contact you to set up a time to meet you at your property for your soil evaluation.

Please print off the Application for Soil Evaluation (PDF).

3. Do I need permits for a shed or accessory building?

Yes, zoning permits are required for all accessory buildings, even pole sheds. The zoning permit will explain the setbacks the accessory building has to meet. Usually the setbacks are 10 feet from all property lines, except for lake lots, corner lots, and large accessory buildings.

Come to our office on the 1st floor of the Building Standards Center at 349 North Center Street to get a zoning permit. We will forward your proposal to the health department to make sure the proposed building will not be constructed on the septic lines or the septic field. After the health department has approved the project, we will call you back to the Building Standards Center to get the building permit.

For more information, visit the Planning Division page.

4. How do I set up a mobile home?

The Central Permitting Department at times charges mobile home applicants $500 for a “perc test” and $495 for a well inspection. Mobile homes older than 1976 cannot be set up in Iredell County’s zoning jurisdiction and Iredell County has some requirements about underskirting, porches, and rooflines. Mobile homes should be set up parallel to the road, with some exceptions. After you get the zoning permit and septic and well inspections you can obtain a building permit and have the building inspection process explained to you.

For more detailed instructions and guidelines, please view the Mobile Home Set-Up Requirements (PDF)

5. How do I get a sign permit?

Signs require zoning and building permits. For the zoning permit, bring a sketch or diagram showing the sign’s dimensions and wording, and a sketch of the location of the sign on the property, along with other existing signs on property, if applicable (wall and/or ground signs) to our zoning office at 349 North Center Street.

If the sign is small, these sketches will suffice for the building permit. If the sign is over 32 square feet or over 5 feet tall, however, an engineer will have to provide drawings for the building permit. The drawings will be submitted to Lorrie Moore in the Building Inspections Department at 704-928-2021 or by email.

6. How do I split a lot into 2 lots? Or conversely, how do I combine 2 lots into 1 lot?

All subdivisions must meet minimum requirements and be approved by staff. A planner can be contacted at 704-878-3121, ext. 3121.

7. Can I get my property rezoned?

The 1st step is making an appointment with a planner in our office by calling 704-878-3118, ext. 5361. The County Commissioners vote on rezonings, but planners and the planning board make recommendations as well.

Many factors are considered. All parties consider whether the proposed rezoning fits into the future land use plan.

The rezoning process takes about 2 months and costs $500.

8. How far off my property line does a fence have to be?

There are currently no setbacks for residential fences, as long as it doesn’t encroach onto your neighbor’s property. However, fences can not be over 8 feet tall.

9. How do I get zoning approval for a vehicle dealer's license?

Ask a planner for a zoning verification letter made out to your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) inspector. You can obtain the letter in person, or request it by fax or mail. Our fax number is 704-928-2025 and our mailing address is:
P.O Box 788
Statesville, NC 28687

There is a $25 fee for the letter.

10. When are site plans required?

Site plans are required to get a zoning permit for all projects that are not single-family residential. You can drop them by a planner’s office in person or mail them to:
Iredell County Development Services Planning Division
P.O. Box 788
Statesville, NC 28687.

The site plan review process takes about 2 weeks and at the end of the review you will receive and pay for a zoning permit that enables you to submit architectural plans for the building permits.

For more information, contact a Planning Division staff member at 704-878-3118, ext. 2398 or visit the . Planning Division page.

11. Do commercial or non-residential places have to submit site plans to add accessory buildings?

Yes. To get the zoning permit for any additions or modifications you will have to submit new site plans to the Planning Commission at:
349 N Center St.
Statesville, NC 28677

12. What are some common complaints that the Zoning Code Enforcement Officers resolve?

Zoning Code Enforcement Officers respond to complaints about junk cars (if there are more than 6 cars that aren’t currently registered), setback violations and illegal home occupations.

The zoning code does not address noise, tall grass, or general junk (unless the site could be classified as a junkyard or scrapyard).

For more information, please call the Planning Division at 704-878-3118 or visit their webpage.

13. What do I need to do to start a commercial project?

Site plans must be submitted for all commercial projects. For further information, contact a staff planner at 704-878-3118, ext. 2398 or visit their webpage.