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Written by Katie Dombrowski

Category: Development Services

Created: 10 September 2018

A new development fee calculator BETA is now available for testing. Users will be able to estimate fees for:

• Building permit fees
• Stormwater fees
• Open space facility fees
• Thoroughfare fees

This calculator covers approximately 75% of fees related to an average project and is intended for informational and planning purposes only. It is not intended to reflect the full and final fees associated with a development project.

We invite you to submit feedback on testing, usability, and content of this BETA calculator. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line Development Fee Calculator Feedback. Feedback will be accepted until the end of October.

There will also be a demonstration of the calculator by City Staff at the November stakeholder’s meeting where further feedback will be accepted. The meeting will be held in One Exchange Plaza, Conference Room 809 on Friday, November 2.

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Written by Katie Dombrowski

Category: Development Services

Created: 22 August 2018

These regulations will be effective on September 1, 2018. 

The Unified Development Ordinance contains regulations about how building height is measured. These regulations were not entirely clear, and the application of the regulations produced some unusual results. As a result, the City Council requested changes to the regulations. The changes to the regulations are the result of multiple public meetings at the Planning Commission and City Council.

• An attic and basement would still be permitted with a single- or two-family structure, provided the requirements are met. 
• A basement would be permitted for other building types, with some limitations. Buildings in the Downtown Mixed Use District and buildings in zoning districts that permit three stories would be permitted to have a basement.
• Building height will be calculated by determining “average grade.” This is calculated on each building façade, by averaging the highest and lowest elevation.
• A definition has been added for the term “mezzanine.”

For more information review the adopted text change: TC-17-16 (Attics and Basements).

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Written by Katie Dombrowski

Category: Development Services

Created: 13 August 2018

All permit applications and plans for Non-Residential/Commercial projects will now only be accepted at the Development Services Customer Service Center on the 4th floor of One Exchange Plaza. The Satellite Office on Litchford Road will not be accepting any Non-Residential/Commercial projects as of September 1, 2018. This interim change is indefinite and due to a shortage of staff resources combined with an influx of project volume and budget constraints.

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Written by Katie Dombrowski

Category: Development Services

Created: 08 August 2018

The Development Services Satellite Office on Litchford Road is cutting back hours for walk-in permit clients beginning September 1, 2018. Walk-in clients for Residential projects will only be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. The lobby will then close to walk-in clients at 2 p.m. These interim changes are indefinite and due to a shortage of staff resources combined with an influx of project volume and budget constraints. 

The turnaround time for Residential plan review will also change:

• First review cycles will have a turnaround time of 10 days
• Re-review cycles will have a turnaround time of five days

For questions or concerns, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or call 919-996-2495

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Written by Katie Dombrowski

Category: Development Services

Created: 31 July 2018

Parcels listed in the National Register of Historic Places have been added to the locally designated Historic Overlay Districts and historic Landmarks which are already in iMaps. The National Register Districts layer is for informational and advisory use only. No City reviews are triggered by a parcel being listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Here’s a quick reference list for what historic layers and overlays require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).

• National Register Districts
  • No Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required.
• Streetside Historic Overlay District (-HOD-S)
  • For parcels in the HOD-S exterior changes to a portion of the property require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).
• General Historic Overlay District (-HOD-G)
  • For parcels in the HOD-G all exterior changes require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
• Raleigh Historic Landmarks
  • All exterior changes to these properties require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)

For more detailed information on Certificates of Appropriateness visit our page on the City of Raleigh website. For information on the historic designations visit the Raleigh Historic Development Commission website.

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Written by Katie Dombrowski

Category: Development Services

Created: 13 July 2018

The Development Services Department has updated the checklists for projects that fall under the category of a Plot Plan or Site Plan. The new permit application checklists are available for both Residential and Non-Residential projects beginning today. This separation creates a more predictable process for customers by clearly identifying requirements for a Plot Plan or Site Plan submittal based on the type of proposed development. Use of the updated applications and checklists will be mandatory beginning August 6, 2018. 

REMINDER | To avoid submission delays, always verify that you are using the most recent version of applications and checklists. We recommend you do not download/save any applications or checklists to your computer. Using them directly from the raleighnc.gov website ensures you always have access to the most up to date form or checklist.