Environmental Rules in Alamance County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Alamance County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Alamance County limits impervious built-upon area to control stormwater runoff into the Back Creek, Stoney Creek, Big Alamance Creek, Cane Creek, Rocky River and Haw River water supply watersheds. UDO § 6.10 caps built-upon area at six percent of lot size in Watershed Critical Areas and twelve percent in the Balance of Watershed, with density held to one dwelling per two acres in critical areas and one dwelling per acre elsewhere.
Alamance County Watershed Stormwater Limits
Some RestrictionsAlamance County UDO § 6.10.2
In order to maintain a predominantly undeveloped land use intensity pattern in the WCA, single-family residential, multi-family residential and non-residential development shall be allowed at a maximum of one dwelling unit or use per two acres (1 d.u. or use/2 ac.). Built-upon area for multi-family residential and non-residential development shall not exceed six percent (6%) of lot area except ...
Erosion Control
Alamance County requires subdividers to submit an erosion and sediment control plan to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality before disturbing more than one acre of land, per UDO Section 6.9.5(C). The plan is one of the improvements the Planning Department must confirm before it grants final plat approval on any subdivision within the county's unincorporated jurisdiction.
Alamance County Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
Some RestrictionsAlamance County UDO § 6.9.5(C)
Erosion and Sediment Control Plans. Subdividers are required to submit erosion and sediment control plans for all land disturbing activities covering more than one (1) acre to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
Flood Zones
Any development within a Special Flood Hazard Area in Alamance County, including its extraterritorial jurisdiction with the Village of Alamance, requires a Floodplain Development Permit from the Planning Director before work begins, backed by a certified plot plan, flood zone designation, and proposed elevations.
Alamance County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsAlamance County UDO §§ 6.4.1 (Applicability); 6.4.4.A (Application Requirements)
This section applies to all Special Flood Hazard Areas within the jurisdiction of Alamance County, including Extra-Territorial Jurisdictions of the Village of Alamance. […] Application for a Floodplain Development Permit shall be made to the Planning Director, hereinafter referred to as the Floodplain Administrator, prior to any development activities located within Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Alamance County requires new and substantially improved residential structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas to elevate the reference level, including any basement, no lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. That elevation is the FEMA Base Flood Elevation plus two feet of freeboard, or two feet above the highest adjacent grade where no BFE has been set.
Alamance County Flood Elevation and Freeboard Rules
Some RestrictionsAlamance County UDO §§ 6.4.6 (Residential Construction); Article 2, Definitions ("Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation")
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, shall have the reference level, including basement, elevated no lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. […] REGULATORY FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION: The Base Flood Elevation plus the Freeboard. In Special Flood Hazard Areas where Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) have been determined,...
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