Environmental Rules in Cabarrus County, NC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Every proposed project in unincorporated Cabarrus County must carry a Phase 2 Post-Construction Stormwater Permit from the NC Department of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources, and Chapter 15, Section 7 of the county's Development Ordinance makes that state permit a condition of the county's own zoning and building approvals.
Cabarrus County Stormwater Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsCabarrus County Development Ordinance, Chapter 15 § 7
Stormwater permit All proposed projects in Cabarrus County are subject to Phase 2 Post-Construction Stormwater Permitting with the State of North Carolina Department of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources. Non-compliance with the terms of a Phase 2 Post-Construction Permit issued by the State of North Carolina may result in withholding of zoning and/or building permits by Cabarrus County.
Erosion Control
Every land-disturbing project in unincorporated Cabarrus County must hold a state Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) permit issued by the NC Department of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources before construction starts. The county's Development Ordinance, Chapter 15, makes the ESC permit a prerequisite to its own zoning and building permits, so a lapsed or violated state permit stalls the county approval too.
Cabarrus County Erosion and Sediment Control Permit
Some RestrictionsCabarrus County Development Ordinance, Chapter 15 § 7
Erosion and sediment control permit All proposed projects in Cabarrus County are subject to Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) permitting with the State of North Carolina Department of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources. ... Non-compliance with the terms of an ESC Permit issued by the State of North Carolina may result in withholding of zoning and/or building permits by Cabarrus County.
Flood Zones
Cabarrus County requires a Floodplain Development Permit before any development activity begins in a Special Flood Hazard Area within the unincorporated county, under Chapter 16 of the Development Ordinance. The rule reaches grading, filling, structures and utility work, and it applies only outside the towns and cities that run their own codes.
Cabarrus County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsCabarrus County Development Ordinance, Ch. 16, Part 3, Sections A, C and H
SECTION A. LANDS TO WHICH THIS ORDINANCE APPLIES This ordinance shall apply to all Special Flood Hazard Areas within the unincorporated areas of Cabarrus County. ... SECTION C. ESTABLISHMENT OF FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT A Floodplain Development Permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this ordinance prior to the commencement of any development activities within Special...
Boat Dock Permits
Cabarrus County treats piers, docks, landings and ramps as "Development Activity" under Chapter 16 of the Development Ordinance, so any dock built within a Special Flood Hazard Area needs a Floodplain Development Permit from the Floodplain Administrator before construction, the same as a bulkhead, cabana or bridge.
Cabarrus County Dock Permit in Flood Zones
Some RestrictionsCabarrus County Development Ordinance, Ch. 16, Part 2 (Definitions) and Part 4, Section B(2)(a)
Development Activity means any activity defined as Development which will necessitate a Floodplain Development Permit. This includes buildings, structures, and non-structural items, including (but not limited to) fill, bulkheads, piers, pools, docks, landings, ramps, and erosion control/stabilization measures. ... (2) Permit Requirements-The Floodplain Development Permit shall include, but not ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Cabarrus County requires new and substantially improved homes in a Special Flood Hazard Area to sit at the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation, the Base Flood Elevation plus a two-foot freeboard, under Chapter 16 of the Development Ordinance. Where no BFE has been set, the floor must clear the highest adjacent grade by two feet.
Cabarrus County Flood Elevation & Freeboard
Some RestrictionsCabarrus County Development Ordinance, Ch. 16, Part 2 (Definitions) and Part 5, Section B(1)
Freeboard means the height added to the BFE to account for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood and floodway conditions, such as wave action, blockage of bridge or culvert openings, and the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed. The BFE plus the freeboard establishes the Regulatory Flood Prote...
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