Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

The purpose of the Unified Development Ordinance (PDF) is to protect the

• public health
• safety
• and general welfare

of the citizens and landowners of Currituck County; and to implement the policies and objectives of county-adopted plans addressing the county’s growth and development.

Currituck County current Unified Development Ordinance was last amended on June 18, 2021.

• Table of Contents (PDF)
• Table of Amendments (PDF)
• Chapter 1 – General Provisions (PDF)
• Chapter 2 – Administration (PDF)
• Chapter 3 – Zoning Districts (PDF)
• Chapter 4 – Use Standards (PDF)
• Chapter 5 – Development Standards (PDF)
• Chapter 6 – Subdivision and Infrastructure Standards (PDF)
• Chapter 7 – Environmental Protection Standards
• Chapter 8 – Nonconformities (PDF)
• Chapter 9 – Enforcement (PDF)
• Chapter 10 – Definitions and Measurements (PDF)

Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendments

The following ordinances have recently been adopted by the Board of Commissioners but have not yet been incorporated into the published Unified Development

• PB 21-28 Currituck County: Request to amend the Currituck County Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 4. Use Standards, to allow Elementary and Middle Schools in the Agriculture and Single-Family Residential-Isolated zoning district subject to a zoning compliance permit.
  Adopted:  January 3, 2022
  Text Amendment (PDF)
• PB 21-16 Currituck County: Request to amend the Currituck County Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 2 to correct a reference related to Minor Subdivisions, Chapter 4 to correct terminology from “use permit” to “special use permit”, and Chapter 6 to correct a General Statute reference for consistency with the G.S. 160D update.
  Adopted:  October 4, 2021
  Text Amendment (PDF)
• PB 20-16 Currituck County Utility and Drainage Easements
  Request to amend the Unified Development Ordinance, Section 7.3.4, to clarify maintenance access drainage easements must be dedicated to the county and to reduce the required easement width from fifty feet to twenty-five feet along major waterway conveyance systems.
  Adopted:  September 7, 2021
  Text Amendment (PDF)
• PB 21-12 Currituck County Text Amendment
  Request to amend the Currituck County Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 2. Administration, to allow a subdivision preliminary plat approval to be extended when a committed county utility cannot be provided.
  Adopted: August 2, 2021
  Text Amendment (PDF)
• PB 20-12 Carolina Club Homeowner’s Association
  Request to amend the Currituck County Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 4. Use Standards, to allow shared parking of major recreational equipment as an accessory use in major subdivisions approved and recorded prior to January 1, 2013
  Adopted:  July 19, 2021
  Text Amendment (PDF)

Administrative Manual

The administrative manual (PDF) is intended to assist in the administration of the Unified Development Ordinance.  The manual consolidates information in the development review process and helps applicants understand the procedures and requirements.  In an effort to ease the review process, the manual also includes:

• application forms,
• review checklists,
• and submittal and fee schedules.

Stormwater Manual

The stormwater manual (PDF) is intended to provide guidance in appropriate BMP selection, design criteria to meet stormwater regulations, and proper BMP maintenance.  The manual also includes:

• required forms,
• submittal checklists for stormwater plans,
• and guidance for determining runoff rates.

*Note: the items under the Design Checklists is in Excel.