Mecklenburg County and the Towns have made several changes to the Land Development plan review process effective April 1, 2016. Please visit the Plan submittal page for more information.
Before a building can be built or land can be graded, the developer must submit land development plans for approval and the construction site must be inspected.
Responsible land development protects the nearby surface water and the safety of people who will eventually work or live in buildings constructed on the site.
Land Development staff provides:
- land development plan review and permitting
- site inspection services
- bond administration to ensure compliance with local ordinances and standards designed to protect our environment and public safety.
Land Development plan reviews and site inspections are required for both commercial and residential projects.
In Charlotte-Mecklenburg, there are
two different Land Development offices:
City Land Development provides services for land in the City of Charlotte and the City’s sphere of influence.
City Land Development website
County Land Development provides services for land in the six Towns, the Towns’ spheres of influence, and unincorporated Mecklenburg County.
Mecklenburg County Land Development staff provides:
- land development plan review of subdivisions and commercial projects
- site inspection services for water quality, erosion, storm water and buffers
- commercial driveway permitting, turn lane and road widening
- subdivision road construction design and inspection
- zoning permits and inspections for the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville.
County Land Development plan reviews and site inspections apply to:
- land inside the Town Limits and
- unincorporated land that is under the six Towns’ zoning authority (known as sphere of influence or Extra Territorial Jurisdiction/ETJ.)
Services provided by Mecklenburg County Land Development:
Plan Review - Land Development staff reviews plans for:
- Land Development compliance– review site plans for subdivisions and commercial projects
- Storm water management – drainage, detention and flood control on areas draining less than one square mile
- Water quality protection – erosion control, stream and lake buffers, impervious limits
- Commercial driveway permitting and transportation access – driveway permits, turn lanes, road widening
- Subdivision road construction – design review
- Zoning compliance—enforce six Towns’ Zoning ordinances
Plans are also reviewed by the respective Town Planning Departments to make sure proposed developments meet the terms of the
Towns’ municipal Planning and Zoning ordinances and regulations.
BondsProper construction of streets and infrastructure is guaranteed with a bond/surety program managed by the Bond Administrator for County Land Development.
Plat ReviewTo ensure that enforceable restrictions on property usage run with developed land, plats are required to be prepared and reviewed by County Land Development staff prior to recordation. County Land Development staff review plats to ensure the following is included:
- Lot lines, building lines, right-of-ways (ROWs), easements, and set backs
- Location of storm drainage structures, floodplains, water quality buffers, and BMPs
- Impervious area allotment for each lot
- Notes required for compliance with Town and County ordinances
As-Built Survey Review As-built surveys are required before subdivisions receive final inspection approval and before storm water BMPs are approved. County Land Development staff review as-built surveys to ensure that structures were built in compliance with the approved plans. As-built surveys are prepared to document:
- Storm drainage systems (inlets, pipes, outlets, swales, and ditches)
- Storm water BMPs
- Built-upon area (impervious) surfaces
- Post-Construction requirements
Site inspectionsDuring and after site construction, inspectors visit the site to ensure the project is built in compliance with applicable ordinances and standards including:
- Roadway and drainage construction, proof rolling
- Storm water management
- Erosion control, stream and lake buffers, BMPs, impervious limits and surface water protection
- Zoning compliance
Mecklenburg County Land Development office location:
2145 Suttle Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28208
General Questions: 980-314-3234
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
After the land development plans are approved and site inspections are complete, Mecklenburg County
Code Enforcement is responsible for building permits and building inspections.