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1. How can I learn more about new development projects in Holly Springs?

Information regarding new development projects is located on the What’s Coming to Town? page. This webpage includes location maps and site plans for all recently submitted residential and non-residential development projects. In addition, you may register for the HSPlanning email list to receive development project updates and information regarding other Department of Planning and Zoning activities.

2. What type of permit is required for sheds and other accessory structures?

All accessory structures such as sheds, decks, patios, garages, driveway expansions, etc. are subject to setback, height, and size restrictions specified in the Town of Holly Springs Unified Development Ordinance in addition to North Carolina State Building Code requirements.

A structure with any dimension less than or equal to 12 feet requires a Unified Development Ordinance Permit from the Department of Planning and Zoning. A building permit (residential | non-residential) from the Code Enforcement Department is required for any structure with any dimension greater than 12 feet. For electricity, an additional permit is required. Regardless of size, any deck or gazebo is required to obtain a permit from the Code Enforcement Department.

3. What type of signage is permitted in Town, and where can I get a permit?

A variety of signage is permitted throughout Town and is subject to the regulations found in Unified Development Ordinance Section 7.03 as well as any approved Master Sign Plans.
Signage sizes, heights, and locations vary by zoning district, developments, and type of sign. A sign permit application is required to be submitted to the Department of Planning and Zoning for all signage on private property.

Please contact the Code Enforcement Department for information or to request a sign permit application packet for signs in the right-of-way.

4. Who can verify my address?

To verify an address or acquire an address for new construction, contact the Department of Planning & Zoning at (919) 557-3908.

5. What is the Board of Adjustment?

The Board of Adjustment is an eight-member citizen board that is appointed by the Town Council. Four members and two alternates live inside the Town limits. One member and one alternate live within the Town's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The Board of Adjustment conducts public hearings and renders rulings on variances from the Town’s zoning regulations, appeals to zoning decisions made by the Department of Planning & Zoning staff, and appeals of determinations made by the Environmental Appeal Committee.

The board has quasi-judicial powers and acts separately from the Town Council. This means that all board decisions are final and that any appeals go directly to the 10th District Superior Court.

The board meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Town Hall Council Chambers at 128 S. Main Street. The meetings are open to the public. However, public input on agenda items must be received through sworn testimony.

Members are appointed on a rotating schedule to three-year terms by the Town Council for in-town members and by the Wake County Board of Commissioners with a recommendation by the Town Council for ETJ members. If a seat is vacated, a new member is appointed mid-year to fill the remainder of the term.

Click here for more information and a listing of the current Board of Adjustment members.

6. What is a landscape buffer or easement?

Any landscape buffer or landscape easement located on a lot adjacent to a perimeter street or a boundary of a subdivision, as established by the preliminary plan for the subdivision, shall be maintained by the owner of the lot at all times in compliance with the requirements established by the preliminary plan or Section 7.01 of the UDO.

Dead or diseased trees or shrubs located in a landscape buffer or landscape easement shall be removed and replaced with appropriate trees or shrubs, subject to the approval of the director of Planning & Zoning. Before any removal, relocation, replacement or other alteration to the plant materials located in a landscape buffer or landscape easement, the work must be approved, in writing, by the applicable homeowners association, if any, and the Town of Holly Springs.

Removal of or damage to a buffer can result in fines. For information on Environmental Buffers (such as: Bass Lake, Neuse River, Cape Fear, etc.) please contact the Department of Engineering at (919) 557-3938.

7. What is the Comprehensive Plan?

Vision Holly Springs, the Town's Comprehensive Plan, serves as a policy guide on future land use; transportation; parks, recreation and open space; community character; business development; community facilities; infrastructure and utilities; and natural resources. The Comprehensive Plan is the primary tool that the Town staff, Planning Board and Town Council use in deciding priorities for public investment. Click here to view Vision Holly Springs.

8. I want to install a fence, what do I do?

While no permit is required to construct a fence, there are several requirements that pertain to the design, placement, and construction of fences and decorative walls. Any fences that do not comply with these requirements will have to be relocated. (Note also that decorative walls more than 4 feet tall and all retaining walls require review and/or permits from both the Engineering and Code Enforcement departments).

Height: No fence shall exceed a height of 6 feet in any side or rear yard or 4 feet in any front yard. In certain locations, fences may be 10 feet in height; please contact the Department of Planning & Zoning for detailed information.

Setbacks: Although the Town does not have a setback requirement for fences, it is recommended to place the fence a few inches inside your property line so that you do not infringe on your neighbor's property. Fences and walls placed on corner lots have special setback regulations. Please contact the Department of Planning & Zoning for setback regulations and the Department of Engineering for sight distance regulations.

Appearance: The finished side of a fence must face outward from the property it is built upon. If the fence is chain link and is located in the front yard, it must be black-vinyl coated.

Utility Easements: Fences or other permanent structures cannot be placed on any utility easement (water, sanitary sewer, drainage, etc.) or greenway easement. Be cautious of underground utilities and easements for electric, gas, phone, cable, etc.

Many lots have these easements located on them. Check the plot plan you received at the closing of your home or call the Department of Engineering to assist you with determining where those easements are located on your property.

Utility Lines: Underground utility service lines such as electric, gas, phone, cable, etc. also exist on all lots. Call 1-800-632-4949 or 811 (NC Locate) for locating these utilities prior to any digging.

For additional information on easements, contact the Department of Engineering. Check your homeowner's association for special restrictions in your neighborhood. If you have questions or would like a planner to review your plans, contact the Department of Planning & Zoning at (919) 557-3908.

9. Can I run a business from my home?

Prior to starting a home-based business or running a home office within the Town of Holly Springs or its extraterritorial jurisdiction, you must register your home occupation to verify that it will be in compliance with the Town's Unified Development Ordinance. The ordinance prohibits outside storage and the display of goods, limits signs, and regulates the number of employees and customers allowed, as well as the amount of space that is being used within the home for the business. Some home occupations require approval by the Town Council. For more information and a Home Occupation Registration Packet, contact the Department of Planning & Zoning at (919) 557-3908.

10. What is the Planning Board?

The Planning Board is an eight-member citizen advisory board appointed by the Town Council. Seven members live inside the Town limits. One member resides within the Town's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

The Planning Board reviews and makes recommendations to the Town Council on all proposals for rezoning, various development-related requests, and amendments and additions to the Town’s zoning regulations and comprehensive plan. The Planning Board has no judicial or final decision authority but provides guidance to the Town Council on those requests.

The Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Town Hall Council Chambers at 128 S. Main St. Meetings are open to the public. However, the Planning Board does not hold any public hearings during their regular meetings and is not required to hear comments from the general public. Planning Board members are also requested to attend various Town Council meetings on a rotating schedule at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month as needed.

The Town Council appoints in-town members of the Planning Board on a rotating schedule to three-year terms. The Wake County Board of Commissioners appoints ETJ members upon recommendation by the Town Council. If a seat is vacated, a new member is appointed mid-year to fill the remainder of the term.

Click here for more information on the Planning Board and a list of current members.

11. Can I put a hot tub or swimming pool on my property?

Yes. Swimming pools and hot tubs must be enclosed by a fence not less than 4 feet in height with a self-closing and self-latching gate or a safety pool cover meeting Town regulations. A permit from the Department of Code Enforcement is required.

For additional information regarding specific regulations and setback requirements or permits, please contact the Department of Planning & Zoning. Swimming pools, both above and in-ground, may be constructed on any lot with a single-family home. For information on setbacks and permits contact the Department of Planning & Zoning. Additional permits also may be required and obtained through the Department of Code Enforcement.

12. What is the Unified Development Ordinance?

The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) contains the Town’s zoning and subdivision regulations. The UDO provides the specific regulations for new development including setbacks, landscaping, buffers, appearance, signage and lighting requirements, as well as the Town’s development review processes. The UDO was adopted by the Town Council in October, 2002, and became effective on November 8, 2002.

Click here to view the Unified Development Ordinance.