Planning & Development

In Alexander County, the Planning Board primarily acts in an advisory and legislative role. Its duties include reviewing and making recommendations for large subdivisions, rezoning requests, zoning text amendments, comprehensive plan updates, and making formal recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. The Planning Board also approves subdivisions of 35 to 299 lots.

The Board of Adjustment, made up of members of the Planning Board, operates in a quasi-judicial role, hearing applications for variances, special use permits, and appeals of administrative decisions.

Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 6pm at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education: 345 Industrial Blvd, Taylorsville, NC 28681.

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What is zoning?

Zoning determines what you can do on your property—like whether you can build a house, operate a business, or install a sign. Each zoning district allows specific types of uses.

Each zoning district has its own purpose. Here are general summaries:

• R1–R3: Residential districts for varying densities (from single-family homes to multi-family housing).
• R2R: Allows for rural residential, some light commercial and industrial.
• OI: Office and institutional uses, often near residential areas.
• MU: Mixed-use for both commercial and residential activity.
• CC: Community commercial areas, including retail and service businesses.
• RC: Regional commercial areas, including retail and service businesses.
• I: Industrial areas for manufacturing and heavy commercial.
• WR: Waterfront residential with additional protections for natural features.

Additionally, there are overlay districts that may apply additional regulations for an area of land and other zones may be created as a part of the conditional zoning process.

You can view the list of allowed uses by district in the Table of Permitted and Special Uses of the Land Development Code

If you're unsure how to interpret the table, contact our office and we’ll help you.

What zone am I in?

The zoning for a property can be checked by visiting the Alexander County GIS site. You can search by your property’s street address, PIN, or Parcel ID. Turn on the Zoning layer to view the zoning district.

If you have any questions, contact our office.

How do I change my zoning?

To petition for a zoning change, you must submit a rezoning application to the Planning Department. The application fee is $500 per parcel.

State law requires that notice be given before a rezoning hearing. A sign will be posted on your property, adjacent property owners will be notified by mail, and an ad will be placed in the newspaper.

Planning staff will review your request and make a recommendation to the Planning Board and the decision-making board. That recommendation is based on the Alexander County Comprehensive Plan, which outlines the county’s long-term goals for growth and development. The Future Land Use Map is part of that plan. It shows what types of development are expected in different areas of the county. If your request aligns with the Future Land Use Map, it is more likely to be supported. The Planning Board’s recommendation is then forwarded to the governing body for the parcel of land.

If your property is located in the county, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners will make the final decision. If your property is located within Taylorsville's city limits or its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), the decision will be made by the Town Council.

To apply, email our staff at planning@alexandercountync.gov and we ill apprise you of any additional conditions that may apply and help process your petition.

Do I need a zoning permit?

Zoning permits are required any time a building, sign, or other structure is constructed, moved, extended, enlarged, or structurally altered (with some exceptions). If you’re doing something new on your property, there’s a good chance a zoning permit is required. This includes all structures with any dimension over 12 feet, including:

• New buildings or additions
• Mobile homes or manufactured homes
• Storage buildings and garages
• Pools
• Changes in the land use of a property
• Permanent signs

Certain farming structures and activities may be exempt from zoning. Please contact our office if you have any questions.

How do I get an address?

You must first apply for a zoning permit for your proposed structure. Once the permit is approved, our office submits your information to the 911 Addressing Department. You will be notified of your new address by email.

Addresses are typically assigned within 3 business days, depending on staffing availability.

Can I replace a structure on my property?

If your structure meets current zoning requirements, you may replace it as long as the new structure also complies with all current rules. You must obtain a zoning permit before construction begins.

If your structure is nonconforming—meaning it was built legally before the current zoning rules were adopted, but doesn’t meet today’s standards—you may be limited in your ability to replace it. Article IX of the Land Development Code provides the regulations for nonconforming uses.

If you have any questions, contact the Planning Department to help you determine whether your structure is nonconforming and what options are available to you.

May I live in an RV?

You cannot live in an RV as a primary residence.

The use of RVs as permanent residences is expressly prohibited in all use districts in Alexander County. This prohibition is subject to the guidelines laid out in the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal's memorandum titled "Recreational Park Trailers (Park Models)/ Permanent Dwellings".

How do I make a code complaint?

You can submit code violation complaints using our online portal.

You may report issues such as waste accumulation, junked vehicles, weed and vegetation overgrowth, etc. Please include the property location and a description of the issue. Complaints may be submitted anonymously.

What is the Comprehensive Plan or the Future Land Use Map?

The Alexander County 2045 Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted on April 8, 2024. It is a long-term planning document that sets out a vision for the county's future and identifies the strategies, actions, and policies needed to achieve that vision. It addresses issues related to land use, transportation, housing, economic development, public services, and the environment. The Comprehensive Plan is a "blueprint" for the community's growth, providing guidance for decision-making on issues that impact residents and businesses.

The Future Land Use Map is a graphical representation of how the county intends to utilize its land over a long-term period. The map divides the county into different zones, such as the Urban Services Area (USA), the Rural / Urban Transition Area (RTA), and the Rural / Agricultural Area (RAA), each with specific policies to guide future growth. You can view the Future Land Use Map by navigating to the Alexander County GIS website and choosing Future Land Use in the layer options.