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1. Accessory Dwelling/Mother-In-Law Suites

Can I build an accessory dwelling or mother-in-law suite?

• Many zoning districts permit accessory dwelling uses. To determine if your parcel is eligible, please review Article 9.1 of the Zoning Ordinance and submit your address or parcel ID to Ask A Planner.

Do I need a building permit for an accessory dwelling?

• Yes. All accessory dwellings require building permits. Building permits and issued through Mecklenburg County.

2. Building Codes

Residential Building Codes

• Contact the Mecklenburg County Residential Technical Answer Center (RTAC) at 980-314-CODE(2633) for questions regarding residential building codes.

Commercial Building Codes

• Contact the Mecklenburg County Commercial Technical Answer Center (CTAC) at 704-336-3829 for questions regarding commercial building codes.

3. Building Permits

Where do I get a residential or commercial building permit?

• Building permits and issued through Mecklenburg County.

Do I need a building permit for... 

• Decks, swimming pools, and accessory dwelling units all require building permits.
• Sheds/Storage buildings are also known as accessory structures. If any dimension of a shed is greater than 12 feet, or if the total area of the structure is greater than 144 square feet, then a building permit is required.  If all dimensions of a shed are less than or equal to 12 feet and the area of the structure is less than or equal to 144 square feet under you will only need a Zoning Use Permit. 
• At-grade concrete or paver patios do not require building permits. 
  • We recommend you review Impervious restrictions to see if this applies to your property.

Do I need a zoning permit?

• All items that require a building permit will automatically be routed by Mecklenburg County to Huntersville for zoning approval, please review the ’notes’ in the Mecklenburg Permitting system for any requests for additional information. 
• If your project does not require a building permit, it may require a zoning permit. Common zoning permits are for sheds, home-based businesses, family care homes, mobile food sales, home daycares, temporary seasonal markets, construction trailers, and commercial change of use. This list does not include all items that may require a zoning permit. To inquire if your project requires a zoning permit contact us at permits@huntersville.org. 

4. Business License

Do I need a business license? 

• The Town of Huntersville does not require business licenses. 
• If you need a letter indicating that no business licenses are required, you may request that at planning@huntersville.org

5. Commercial Projects

How do I obtain a commercial building permit?

• Building permits and issued through Mecklenburg County.

Who do I discuss a commercial upfit with?

• Commercial Customers who are interested in constructing new buildings or upfitting an existing building for a new use will need to contact the Huntersville Planning Department 704-875-7000 about the Commercial Site Plan review process and/or the Change of Use process for Land Development before beginning the building permit process with Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement

What are the commercial building codes?

• Contact the Mecklenburg County Commercial Technical Answer Center (CTAC) at 704-336-3829 for questions regarding commercial building codes. 

How do I locate the zoning of a property? 

• Visit the project map > Select the Zoning Map tab > Type in the address or parcel ID > Click on the identified parcel and the pop-up box will indicate the zoning. Note that some pop-up boxes have an arrow to navigate to multiple pages of information regarding the parcel. 

What are the permitted uses for a zoning?

• When you have identified the zoning for a parcel (see question above), then visit the Interactive Zoning Ordinances, Article 3.2 General Districts and identify the corresponding zoning district abbreviation. All information related to permitted uses can be found here. 

6. Decks

Does a deck count as impervious area?

• Open slatted decking, a deck surface constructed of boards (wood or composite wood) with intermittent gaps that allow water to pass through to the surface below. Only open, uncovered decks installed over a permeable surface (dirt, no concrete or gravel) do not count towards your built-upon calculations. If the decking is not slatted or it is placed over an impervious surface, then it is considered impervious. 

What size deck can I install?

• Please review Article 8.8.9. If you would like assistance reviewing your proposed structures please contact us at Ask A Planner with your parcel ID or address and the size and type of deck you are proposing. 

Do I need a building permit for a deck?

• Yes, all decks are load bearing structures and require a building permit. Building permits are issued by Mecklenburg County. 

Are there setbacks for a deck?

• Yes. Decks are subject to the same setbacks as the home. 

7. Fences

How tall can my fence be? 

• Please review Article 8.11 for Zoning Ordinance requirements relative to height, materials and placement.

Do I need a permit for a fence?

• Fences do not require a permit.  

What are the setbacks for a fence?

• Most fences do not require a setback. To confirm your parcel please review Article 8.11 or contact us at Ask A Planner.

Can I place a fence in an easement?

• Staff does not recommend placing a fence in easements.

8. Home Based Businesses

What are the conditions for a home-based business?

The conditions are outlined in Article 9.19 of the Huntersville Zoning Ordinance.

Do I need a permit to operate a home-based business in Huntersville? 

• Complete the zoning permit application and submit it to permits@huntersville.org
• Pay the zoning fee

Do I need a business license? 

• The Town of Huntersville does not require business licenses. 
• If you need a letter indicating that no business licenses are required, you may request that at planning@huntersville.org

9. Impervious Area or Built-Upon Area

What does impervious area refer to?

• Impervious Surface means a surface that because of its composition and/or its use impedes the natural infiltration of water. 

Why do we have impervious restrictions? 

• State and local regulations (specifically water supply watershed protection ordinances and postconstruction ordinances) protect streams and lakes in Mecklenburg County from pollution by restricting activities in the land areas that drain to them. Built-upon area (also called impervious area) is a source of pollution that is controlled by these regulations. Pollutants, such as oil and chemicals, deposited on these surfaces wash straight to creeks and lakes in runoff during rain events causing negative water quality impacts.  

What materials are considered impervious?

• Built-upon area is defined as both impervious and partially impervious cover including buildings, pavement, gravel, recreational facilities (tennis courts, etc.) but does not include wooden slatted decks and the water area of a swimming pool.

Do all properties have impervious restrictions? 

• Built-upon area restrictions apply to all properties located in water supply watershed restriction areas and most all other properties in Mecklenburg County. Properties developed in Huntersville after July 1, 2007, are likely subject to built-upon area restrictions. 

How do I determine if my property has impervious restrictions? 

• To determine if a property is located in a water supply watershed restriction area, go to http://charmeck.org (select “Departments”, select “Geospatial Information Services”, select “POLARIS 3G”). Enter the property address or PID in the search field (upper left corner) and select “Floodplain, Zoning & Watershed Info” at the lower-left portion of the screen. If a “Watershed Class” such as PA or Ca is indicated under the heading “Watershed District” at the bottom left portion of the screen, then the property is located in a water supply watershed restriction area and is likely subject to the built-upon area requirements. To view the specific watershed ordinances and guidelines, click on “Detailed Information” at the bottom left portion of the screen
• If a property is located in a subdivision, the maximum built upon area allocated to that property can be obtained from the approved recorded plat, which is sometimes available by using the “Legal Desc.” link on the left side of the screen in POLARIS under the property address. This will take you to the Register of Deeds website for viewing of the recorded plat. While viewing the recorded plat you will see on the left-hand side of the page a “Related Documents” link. Click this link to see if there is a revised plat that may include changes to allotted impervious restrictions. The revised plat will be noted as MAP/R. Should you want to go back to the previous plat click the back button. If the property in question is not located in a subdivision or if the subdivision was approved prior to the effective date of the regulation, then the maximum allowed built upon area can be obtained by reviewing the applicable regulation as described above.
• If you need assistance determining the impervious restrictions you can email the property address to planning@huntersville.org and request assistance with impervious calculations. One of our Planners will be happy to assist you. 

Are there types of structures/surfaces that I could use that would not be considered impervious?

• Slatted wood decks and walkways (such as a handicap ramp) do not count as impervious surfaces. If, however, a deck is enclosed to create a screened porch or sunroom, the roof means it now becomes impervious and must be counted towards any maximum allowance.
• NOTE: Products marketed as permeable pavers have not been approved by Mecklenburg County for use as permeable. These items will count as impervious surface. 

10. Livestock (Chickens, Goats, Horses, etc.)

May I keep livestock in Huntersville?

• The Huntersville Code of Ordinances outlines what is permitted and required for livestock in Section 94.46. If you have any questions as to how this applies to your residence or business please contact us at Ask A Planner. Please provide your parcel ID or address, what livestock type and quantity you are considering and if this is for personal or commercial use. 

11. Nuisance/Violations/Mimimum HousingCode

How do I report high grass, nuisances or zoning violations?

• Contact the Code Enforcement Technician at 704-766-2219 or complete the online complaint form to report high grass or other nuisances.

Who can I contact regarding mimimum housing code?

• Within corporate limits of the Town Huntersville: Contact Code Enforcement Staff at 704-766-2219. 
• In the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Town of Huntersville, contact Daren Bishop with Mecklenburg County at 980-314-3112. 
  • If you are unsure which applies to your property, you may contact the Huntersville Planning Department at 704-875-7000 and a staff member will be happy to assist you.

12. Plat/Survey/Floorplan

How can I get a copy of my plat?

• Please identify the parcel ID or address for the property and indicate you are requesting a copy of your plat. Submit your request to Ask A Planner.

How can I get a copy of my survey?

• Neither Mecklenburg County nor the Town of Huntersville retain copies of surveys. To request a survey you will need to contact a licensed surveyor.

How can I get a copy of my floorplan?

• Neither Mecklenburg County nor the Town of Huntersville retain copies of floorplans. We recommend you contact the developer/builder for your community for a floorplan.

13. Setbacks

How do I find my setbacks? 

• Please identify what the setbacks are for, the parcel ID or address for the property, the intended purpose of these setbacks and then submit that to staff at Ask A Planner.
• Examples of types of setbacks may include:
  • New construction
  • Swimming pool
  • Attached deck on rear of house
  • Attached room addition on rear of house
• Staff will research the parcel and any development restrictions related to that individual parcel and then respond to your question in the order it is received. 

14. Swimming Pools

Where can I apply for a permit to build a swimming pool?

• Building permits and issued through Mecklenburg County.

What are the setbacks for a swimming pool?

• Setbacks are a minimum of 10 feet from any property line, measured to the water's edge.
• All mechanical equipment muts also be at least 5 feet from the side and rear property lines. 
• Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement and Mecklenburg County Environmental Health have additional requirements.
• Homeowner's Associations may have additional restrictions

Is a swimming pool impervious?

• The water surface of a pool would not count toward the impervious use for the lot, but the edging of the pool and any patio would count toward the impervious use for the lot.

Where can I find additional information?

• Article 8.11.6 of the Zoning Ordinance

15. Water/Sewer/Septic

How can I find out if water or sewer service is available at a property?

Contact Charlotte Water

How can I find out if septic is allowed or the history of septic permits at a property?

Contact Mecklenburg County Environmental Health

16. Zoning

How do I locate the zoning of a property? 

• Visit the project map > Select the Zoning Map tab > Type in the address or parcel ID > Click on the identified parcel and the pop-up box will indicate the zoning. Note that some pop-up boxes have an arrow to navigate to multiple pages of information regarding the parcel. 

What are the permitted uses for a zoning?

• When you have identified the zoning for a parcel (see question above), then visit the Interactive Zoning Ordinances, Article 3.2 General Districts and identify the corresponding zoning district abbreviation. All information related to permitted uses can be found here.