Zoning Permit Process

The Zoning Ordinance states that "Within the corporate limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Town of Catawba no building, sign or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to or structurally altered before a zoning permit has been issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer of the Town of Catawba.

If you are putting a structure, buidling or sign on your property (of any size), do the following:

  • Obtain a Zoning Permit application.  The Zoning Permit application can be found at Town Hall, online, or by calling the Town Planner.  The application should include a site plan showing the lot, existing buildings and proposed location for a new building.  For simple projects, you may go to Catawba County GIS map services website and print a map of the property. Sketch the approximate location of the building on the map.  Large projects will require a site plan drawn to scale by a contractor or engineer.
  • Submit the completed application and Zoning Permit fee to the Town Planner.  Zoning Permit fees are established by the Town Council and listed on the Schedule of Fees.
  • If the Town Planner approves the Zoning Permit, you should then call the Catawba County Building Inspections Department to determine if any building, electrical or plumbing permits are required.

 If you want to alter, add on, or expand a structure or sign on your property, you will need to do the following:

  • Obtain a Zoning Permit application.  The Zoning Permit application can be found at Town Hall, online, or by calling the Town Planner.  The application should include a plan showing existing conditions and the proposed additions or changes.  For simple projects, you may go to Catawba County GIS map services website and print a map of the property. Sketch the approximate location of the work to be done on the map.  Large projects will require a plan drawn to scale by a contractor or engineer.  For signs, a plan showing the work to be done is required.
  • Submit the completed application and Zoning Permit fee to the Town Planner.  Zoning Permit fees are established by the Town Council and listed on the Schedule of Fees.
  • If the Town Planner approves the Zoning Permit, you should then call the Catawba County Building Inspection Department to determine if any building, electrical or plumbing permits are required.

If you are planning on opening a business or changing businesses:

  • Obtain a Zoning Permit application.
  • Submit the completed application and zoning permit fee.
  • If the proposed project meets the Town Code, the Town Planner will issue the Zoning Permit, and provide you with a "Blue Sheet."
  • You will need to have the building inspected by the appropriate authorities listed on the Blue Sheet; have those authorities sign off on the Blue Sheet and return it to the Town Planner to receive a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) prior to opening the business.

If you want to put a fence of some type on your property:

  • No Zoning Permit is required; however, the height may not exceed 5' along the street right-of-ways, and may not exceed 8' along all other property lines.

For any questions regarding the Zoning Permit process, please call Town Hall at 828-241-2215.

Zoning Permit 2020