Planning Services

For the most current information regarding development activity in your area, please visit the Project and Development app, an interactive map featuring current and proposed development projects.  

You may be able to construct an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on your property, depending on how your property is zoned, the size of the property, site conditions, and any applicable restrictive covenants. Please contact the Planning Department at (910) 893-7525 opt. 2 to explore eligibility.

A barndominium is a treated the same as other types of residential structures for zoning purposes, and are generally permitted where single-family residences are permitted, provided they meet all applicable zoning requirements and are constructed in accordance with the North Carolina Residential Code or the HUD Code for Manufactured Homes.  

Under the North Carolina Building Code, a recreational vehicle cannot be used as a permanent residence because it is not designed for this purpose.   

However, in limited circumstances, an RV may be used as a temporary dwelling for a period of up to 180 days when the residence on the property is deemed uninhabitable due to renovation or construction, provided a temporary land use and zoning permit is obtained.

Livestock that is associated with a bona fide farm or is incidental to the residential property use is permitted in the county. However, non-residential uses lined to livestock – such as horseback riding lessons, product sales, or animal-related services – are not considered residential and require additional approval from Development Services. Additionally, it is important to verify that no private restrictive covenants prohibit the intended activity.  

Family care homes are a permitted use on residentially zoned properties, provided there is not another family care home located within a half-mile radius.  

 The State of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) maintains a list of licensed family care homes that may be helpful in determining whether the property is eligible to be used for this purpose. A link to the NCDHHS website licensed facility listing is here:https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/acls/faclistings.html 

In Harnett County, roads are either maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) or by private property owners. The county does not maintain any roads. Public roads are maintained by NCDOT. If you have questions about public roads, you can contact NCDOT at (910) 364-0601. For private roads, maintenance is typically the responsibility of the homeowners' association or the property owners themselves. 

To request a zoning change for your property, you must follow either the Conventional Rezoning or Conditional Rezoning processes:  

Conventional Rezoning 

1. Discuss your proposal:  

         Contact Sarah Arbour, Long Range Planner, at (910) 814-6414 or sarbour@harnett.org  to discuss your proposal, application requirements, and submission deadlines.  

    2. Submit a complete application: 

A complete application must include: 

• A completed rezoning application. 

• A legal description of the property. 

• A recorded survey (scale no less than 1" = 200'). 

• A written explanation addressing Items 2.1 through 2.5 under the "Requirements for Consideration" section of the application. 

• Original signatures from all property owners, or verifiable digital electronic signatures. Please be advised that copies of signatures are not accepted. 

Conventional rezoning requests must be submitted to Planning Services by the first Monday of each month to be considered for the Planning Board meeting the following month for a recommendation. Following the Planning Board meeting, the request will go before the Board of Commissioners for a final determination.  

Conditional Rezoning 

Conditional rezoning involves a highly detailed review of the proposal, requiring applicants to schedule a pre-submittal meeting with staff before submitting an application. Please contact Sarah Arbour, Long Range Planner, at (910) 814-6414 or sarbour@harnett.org  to schedule a pre-submittal meeting, and discuss the proposal, application requirements, and process. 

To subdivide your property, you will need to follow several steps and meet specific requirements to obtain approval. All subdivision submissions are processed and reviewed by staff for compliance with the standards of the Unified Development Ordinance. 

The subdivision processes and requirements are outlined below: 

1. Please reach out to planning staff directly to obtain guidance on which subdivision process you must follow.   
2. Exempt subdivisions consist of recombination of existing parcels, subdivision of lots greater than 10.01 acres, and creation or abandonment of easements. For questions regarding exempt subdivisions, please contact Theresa Jones at tjones@harnett.org or (910)814-6432.  
3. Minor Subdivisions consist of any subdivision which creates a maximum of five (5) residential lots each of which front on a state-maintained street; or any subdivision which allows a maximum of six (6) residential lots to be created on a 50-foot easement abutting a State-maintained street. For questions regarding minor subdivisions, please contact Emma Harris at eharris@harnett.org or (910)814-6412. 
4. Major Subdivisions consist of all subdivisions of land into six (6) or more residential lots, three (3) or more nonresidential lots, and/or any subdivision not classified as minor subdivisions. For questions regarding major subdivisions, please contact Meade Bradshaw at mbradshaw@harnett.org or (910)814-6410. 
5. After determining the appropriate subdivision process, please reach out to a private licensed surveyor in the state of North Carolina to complete your proposed subdivision work.  
6. Your surveyor must submit the project through the appropriate review process. Currently, exempt and minor subdivision project submissions are accepted though the eTRAKiT portal. Major subdivision applications must be delivered to Planning Services at the Development Services office: 420 McKinney Pkwy, Lillington, NC, 27546.  
7. Subdivision projects will be distributed to all applicable departments involved in the respective review process. Timelines for project review completion vary by specific process and existing workload of departments.  
8. Once all applicable departments have reviewed and fully approved the subdivision project, the final plat is eligible to be recorded with the Register of Deeds.  

The type of development allowable on your property depends on a multitude of factors, including zoning classification, physical site conditions, available infrastructure, and property access. 

Because every property is unique, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Planning Services staff at (910) 893-7525, option 2, to discuss development plans prior to initiating the project design or permitting process. While our staff cannot guarantee site feasibility or anticipate every potential issue, we can clarify zoning regulations and inform you if you will need supplementary technical information from professionals like engineers, land surveyors, or soil scientists. 

There are two methods you can use to determine the zoning jurisdiction in which a property is located.  

• Utilize the Harnett County GIS Viewer: input your address or parcel number in the search bar and make sure to check the zoning layer under the layer list. 

• Call the Department of Development Services at (910)893-7525 opt. 2 for assistance. 

Harnett County does not provide surveying services. Residents must consult privately with a surveyor for surveying services. 

Please check the Harnett County Register of Deeds website to check to see if a recent survey has been recorded for your property. 

Harnett County does not regulate fences on residential lots, and no fence permits are required to erect a fence. When erecting a fence on your property, please be advised that- 

• A fence cannot be located within an easement or right-of-way, and must be located outside of the NCDOT required 10'x70' sight triangle
• The Planning Department recommends building the fence 1' from the property to avoid property line disputes with a neighbor 

*Fences located within a required landscape buffer, a manufactured home park, or as a part of a non-residential development are subject to regulation. 

Restrictive covenants and deed restrictions are enforced privately. Harnett County does not enforce restrictive covenants and deed restrictions. 

Search the Harnett County Register of Deeds for restrictive covenants or for the property's deed to determine if your property is subject to these regulations. 

North Carolina’s Flood Risk Information System provides an interactive map to search for properties and evaluate flood risks. https://fris.nc.gov/fris/ 

In general, local floodplain regulations limit and guide development within identified flood hazard areas, require new and substantially improved buildings be elevated or flood-proofed, require permits for development, and provide for inspection and enforcement of the regulations.  

 Here is a good Elevation Certificate FAQ link: http://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_floodplain_elevation-certificate-faq_2023.pdf  

Zoning code enforcement is the oversight and administration of local, adopted codes of Harnett County. 

There are three available options for submitting a complaint.  

1. The complainant may physically come into the Planning Services office located at 420 McKinney Pkwy, Lillington, North Carolina 27546.  

1. The complainant may call Planning Services. A member of staff will receive information regarding the issue. If attempting to submit a complaint via phone, please call (910)893-7525 opt. 2. 

1. The complainant may submit a complaint via the etrakit portal located here: eTRAKiT. Please be specific when providing information. Please follow all prompts to ensure that the issue is submitted correctly to the system.  

Please be advised that any information provided is subject to public records laws. 

Presently, Harnett County does not enforce nuisance code issues such as vegetation, trash, and pest or rodent problems on a property.