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Planning

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1. How can I obtain planning oriented applications and forms?

Planning oriented applications and forms are available in the Apex Planning Department at Town Hall or on our Applications & Schedules page.

Applications & Schedules

2. Where can I find assessments regarding Apex?

The Town of Apex does not have any assessments at this time.

3. Do I need a permit for my event?

A Temporary Use Permit must be submitted and approved by the town for non-profit and for-profit events. Permit application are available at Town Hall in the Planning Department.

4. How far must my fence be from my property line?

Your fence can be placed up to, but not on or over your property line. It is recommended that you leave some room between your property line and your fence for maintenance purposes.

5. How can I use a fence to separate my property from a right-of-way?

Where non-residential fencing or walls will abut a public right-of-way, it shall be set back at least 4 feet from the right-of-way and a minimum of 3 small evergreen shrubs spaced every 20 feet shall be planted on the side of the fence or wall facing the surrounding rights-of-way, walks, parks, trails, or other public use properties. Fencing or walls must provide visual interest through the use of posts and finals.

6. Are there extra requirements for a fence abutting a right-of-way?

Where a residential fencing or wall will abut a major or minor thoroughfare, it must provide visual interest through changes in fence setbacks or materials, or through the use of decorative posts with finials, or through the use of plants spaced every 20 feet on the side of the fence or wall facing the public through fare. Plantings shall not be planted within the public right-of-way.

7. Where can I see a map of the flood zones in Apex?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to the community. The delineations are needed to determine which areas require flood insurance.

The Flood Risk Information System (FRIS) website is a helpful resource for this information: FRIS Website

8. What is the structural breakdown of the Apex Historic District?

The Apex Historic District (view map) is located in downtown Apex and is a National Register Historic District, which includes residential, commercial, and institutional structures. The district’s period of significance is circa 1870-1950. Architectural styles include Queen Anne, Bungalow/Craftsman, Neocolonial Revival, and commercial style. There are a total of over 150 primary and secondary contributing structures. There are 2 properties in the district listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places. They are the 1914 Apex Union Depot at 220 North Salem Street and the 1911-12 Old Town Hall at 237 North Salem Street.

9. What is the purpose of the Building Inspection Division in Apex?

The Building Inspection Division is the Town’s regulatory organization for assuring that construction work is conducted in compliance with related Town of Apex Ordinances and the building codes of the State of North Carolina.

10. What inspections are required?

Because construction projects vary greatly as to their type and scope, no one set of guidelines can offer in-depth detail of the inspection process for all projects. A basic room addition requires footing, foundation, rough-in, insulation, and final inspections, respectively. Details of the required components for each of these inspections are listed in the North Carolina State Building Codes. Authorization must be obtained from the Code Enforcement Officer after each inspection to proceed to each subsequent step of construction.

11. What are the Building Inspection Division office hours?

The Building Inspection Division’s business hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

12. How can I schedule an inspection?

Inspections must be scheduled the day before the intended inspection, prior to 3 p.m. They may be scheduled in person at the Building Inspection desk or may be phoned in at (919) 249-3418. The inspection request should include the type of inspection desired, the permit number assigned to the project, the street address, and/or the subdivision and lot number.

13. Can I as homeowner do my own work?

In most cases North Carolina State laws pertaining to contractors allow homeowners to obtain permits and perform construction work on their personal home. Please contact the Building Inspection Division at (919) 249-3418 for more detailed information.

14. Do I need a permit for my mobile home?

Mobile home owners shall complete a Permit Application for Manufactured Home as well as meet all regulations in the Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes and Zoning. Please contact Construction Management in order to obtain a permit and more information at (919) 249-3418.

15. What is the purpose of the Land Use Plan?

The Land Use Plan is designed to guide the town staff and local officials in directing growth that effectively responds to the Town’s needs and priorities. The map provides designations on how land is to be used or occupied.

Land Use Plan Map (PDF)

16. What is a building permit?

A building permit is the basic administrative device required by the State of North Carolina that must be obtained prior to construction or alteration of any building or structure, or plumbing, mechanical, or electrical system. In some cases, exemptions from requirements for building permits are applicable, and the Building Inspection Division should be contacted to determine if a project is exempt. Building Inspections

17. When is a permit required?

Typical construction projects requiring permits and inspections include: room additions; decks; roofs over decks; swimming pools greater than 42 inches deep; finishing basements; bonus rooms and attics; lawn irrigation systems; accessory buildings (see next paragraph); all installations or modifications to electrical, plumbing, or heating or air conditioning systems. For more information please contact the Building Inspection Permit Office at (919) 249-3418.

Building Inspections

18. How long does it take to receive a permit?

Upon receipt of a permit application and/or plans, the plan review staff will review the information for technical content and completeness. After determining that all necessary information has been supplied, approval for the issuance of the permit will be authorized and the applicant will be notified that the permit is ready to be purchased and picked up.

The review process may take only a few minutes to review the application for a single trade mechanical or electrical permit, and as long as one to ten working days for review of building construction plans for decks, porches, additions, and new homes depending on work load. In every case the review time will be as short as possible.

19. Who paves the dirt roads in the Apex area?

Dirt roads are typically paved by developer contributions or by the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) Secondary Road Improvement Program. The program was established to improve the safety and surface pavement of secondary roads throughout North Carolina.

The warrants for paving secondary roads are based on several factors including Average Daily Traffic (ADT), number of school buses, number of homes per mile, and vehicular accidents. To request more information about secondary road improvements, contact the NCDOT Division 5 Office at (919) 560-6851.

20. What is a sign?

The Town of Apex defines a sign as an identification, description, animation, illustration, or device, illuminated or non-illuminated, which is visible from a public right-of-way and which directs attention to a realty, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, performance, commodity, firm, business or solicitation, including a permanently installed or situated merchandise or an emblem, painting, banner, poster, bulletin board, pennant, placard or temporary sign designed to identify or convey information, with the exception of state, municipal, national and religious flags.

21. How are signs regulated?

To help preserve the character of our town by keeping it neat and clean, the Town of Apex regulates signs through its Sign Ordinance. The Ordinance allows temporary signs to be placed on properties that are for sale, rent/lease, or where an activity is taking place.

Signs placed at other locations, such as those on other properties or street right-of-ways, directing attention to the sale or activity, are not permitted. All permanent signs and some temporary signs must be Town approved. The Sign Ordinance can be found in Section 8.7 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) located on the Apex Planning website.

Section 8.7 of Unified Development Ordinance

22. Do I need a sign permit?

Section 8.7 of the Unified Development Ordinance provides a description of signs allowed with permit, without permit, or prohibited for specified locations and conditions.

Section 8.7 (PDF)

23. What is a sight triangle?

A triangular-shaped portion of land established at street intersections in which nothing is erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow in such a manner as to limit or obstruct the sight distance of motorists entering or leaving the intersection.

24. What is the process of a major site plan?

The process for a major site plan is all explained in the Major Site Plan Application. Major Site Plan Application (PDF)

25. What regulations are there for storage sheds?

Storage sheds are considered an accessory structures.

Accessory Structure Information

26. What is the process for subdivision plats?

Access information on subdivisions plats by viewing Minor and Final Subdivision Plat Applications on the Applications and Schedules page. Applications & Schedules

27. What is a zoning district?

Any section of the town for which the regulations governing the use of land and the use, density, bulk, height, and coverage of buildings and other structures are uniform is known as a zoning district. Please view the Zoning Districts Map by following the provided link. Zoning District Map (PDF)