Onslow County, NC Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Sec. 7-33 states plainly that a floodplain development permit is required in conformance with the chapter before any development activity begins within a special flood hazard area identified under Sec. 7-32, which incorporates FEMA's flood insurance rate maps and flood insurance study for Onslow County dated November 3, 2005. Sec. 7-34 backs this with a compliance rule: no structure or land may be located, extended, converted, altered, or developed in any way without full compliance with the chapter. The permit application itself, detailed in Sec.

7-67, demands a scaled plot plan showing the special flood hazard area boundary, flood zone designation, floodway or non-encroachment area boundaries, and base flood elevation where available, plus a foundation plan and proposed elevation method for every structure and utility system. The floodplain administrator, appointed under Sec. 7-66, reviews every application, can require additional federal or state permits such as CAMA, wetlands, or erosion control approvals, and under Sec. 7-68 has authority to make on-site inspections, issue stop-work orders for work proceeding in violation of the chapter, and revoke a permit for substantial departure from approved plans or for false statements made to secure it.

General standards in Sec. 7-96 require that all new construction and substantial improvements be anchored against flotation and built with flood-resistant materials and utility equipment located to prevent water intrusion. This permit requirement governs private and commercial development within Onslow County's mapped flood hazard areas in the unincorporated county; it does not extend onto Camp Lejeune, which administers its own federal floodplain standards.