Environmental Rules in Wake County, NC (2026)

Wake County UDO § 9-11, § 9-20

9-11 - Scope. Except as otherwise expressly stated, the stormwater management regulations of this Article apply to all development within unincorporated Wake County outside the extraterritorial jurisdiction and incorporated boundaries of any municipality....9-20 - Maximum Curve Number after Development. Developers must manage residential runoff so that after development the site will not exceed...

Wake County UDO § 10-20-5(A)(1)

(A)Land Disturbances Requiring A Plan and Permit.(1)An approved erosion and sedimentation control plan and a land disturbance permit is required whenever land disturbing activities will result in the disturbance of land equal to or greater than one acre and to land disturbances of less than one acre that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale, including without limitation a sub...

Wake County UDO § 14-14-1

No permit for any new construction, substantial improvements, or other development proposed in an area of special flood hazard must be issued until the Department of Environmental Services has reviewed the plans for the development and has accepted the findings of the applicant that the development, as proposed, would comply with all relevant requirements of this section.

Wake County UDO § 14-18-3(A), (B)

14-18-3In all areas of special flood hazard:(A)New residential construction or major repairs of any residential structure must have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the regulatory flood protection elevation (RFPE);(B)New nonresidential construction or major repairs of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure must have the lowest floor, including bas...