Environmental Rules in New Hanover County, NC (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Hanover County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New Hanover County regulates stormwater runoff across the unincorporated area under Code of Ordinances Ch. 23, Art. VII. Sec. 23-343 makes it county policy that new development manage post-development runoff from the two-year, ten-year and 25-year storms so discharge rates never exceed predevelopment rates, backed by civil penalties of up to $5,000.00 for illicit discharges.
New Hanover County Stormwater Management Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 23-343
Sec. 23-343. - New development. It is the policy of the county that all land within the unincorporated areas of the county to be developed, shall have sufficient stormwater management controls to provide adequate protection of life, property and natural resources. To this end, as a minimum, all land disturbing activity subject to this article, shall provide sufficient management of post-develop...
Erosion Control
New Hanover County requires an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan before any land disturbing activity that uncovers more than one acre in the unincorporated area, under Code of Ordinances Sec. 23-235. No building permit issues without the required sign-off, and violators face civil penalties of up to $5,000.00 per day.
New Hanover County Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 23-235
Sec. 23-235. - General requirements. (a)Plan required. No person shall initiate any land disturbing activity which uncovers more than one acre without having an erosion control plan approved by the county. No land disturbing activity may be initiated until the county is notified of the date that the land disturbing activity will begin.
Flood Zones
New Hanover County governs every development in its FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas under Code of Ordinances Ch. 29. Sec. 29-62 requires the building inspector to stamp every building permit stating whether the structure sits in a floodprone area, and a violation is a misdemeanor with a separate offense every ten days it continues.
New Hanover County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 29-62
Sec. 29-62. - Permit procedures. ... (2)The building inspector shall apply a stamp of clearance to all building permits that indicates one of the following: a.The proposed structure is within a floodprone area as designated by the maps referenced in this article and complies with the standards of this article; b.The proposed structure is not within a floodprone area as designated by the maps re...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New Hanover County requires the lowest floor of any new or substantially improved residential structure in a mapped flood hazard area to sit at or above base flood elevation under Code of Ordinances Sec. 29-64. Nonresidential buildings can instead be floodproofed watertight below that level if a licensed engineer or architect certifies the work.
New Hanover County Flood Elevation Standard
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 29-64
Sec. 29-64. - Specific standards. (1)Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above base flood elevation. (2)Nonresidential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest ...
Environmental Rules by City in New Hanover County
1 cities in New Hanover County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All New Hanover County ordinances
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