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1. What are Accessory Buildings setbacks?

• Setbacks are 5' from side and rear property lines.Front setback is the same as the principal structure of the home (can not protrude in front of principal structure)
• A drawing must be submitted with an application for set up
• All utilities buildings must be tied down to meet the wind code.

2. What is required in clearing a lot?

• A Zoning Permit is required with a Tree Survey indicating locations of current trees and diameters of each tree protected by the ordinance.

3. I have questions regarding concrete.

• Pervious driveways are required for all residential properties on the Island and along all properties adjoining the water or wetlands on mainland.
• Pervious: Materials having pores or openings that permit liquids to pass through. Marl, ABC Stone, crush and run and other similar materials are not considered pervious.
• Wooden slatted decks and the water area of a swimming pool are considered pervious.
• 4.1.17 (3)(h) pervious materials shall be used for the construction of any surfaces located outside the footprint of the principal structure and any accessory buildings allowed. (Commercial development and roads are exempt from this requirement). Pervious materials are, but not limited to, pervious concrete, pervious asphalt, slate gravel, river rock, slatted wood and other similar materials or products designed to allow water to pass through.
• 5.1.5 Driveways. a) Improvement to existing residential driveways will not be required to submit engineered plans if pervious materials are used. Any other materials used will require an engineered plan for stormwater management. Materials acceptable for driveways shall include pervious concrete, gravel, stone, or any other pervious material.

4. What are the fence requirements?

• Town Ordinance: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/surfcity/latest/surfcity_nc/0-0-0-18938
• No Permit needed
  • Maximum rear and side yard height does not exceed 6 ft
  • Maximum front yard height does not exceed 4 ft 
  • Non-opaque - a good neighbor or shadowbox style fence is permittable
• Planning Board approval required 
  • Non-opaque fences taller than 6 ft 
  • Opaque fences of any type or height 
  • Retaining walls of any height 
• If located on an oceanfront lot, a CAMA permit may be required. Please contact your local field representative with any questions. 
• Fences can not be located within 15 feet of any street. 

5. How do Flood Zones affect Enclosures?

• Vents are required in AE flood zone– 1sq inch of vent per 1sq foot of enclosed area – cannot be higher than 12”.
• Breakaway walls are only required in VE Zone.
• If you want to change bracing – it must be engineered.
• If enclosure for garage for vehicle the ceiling must have 5/8 drywall

6. What is requried to put in a Manufactured Home?

• Mainland: At least a Windzone 2
• Island: Windzone 3
• If own property & trailer – yes can do own work. If not – must be licensed.
• If not on town sewer: Zoning Permit for septic tank permit to take to County. Must provide Wastewater System Construction Authorization and Wastewater System Operations Permit (from County)
• If not on town water: Must provide Well Permit (from County)
• Flood Zone: Elevation Certificate required. Cannot be installed in V-Zone even if on stilts. AE – must be built to meet flood zone height. Foundation engineered.
• Zoned MHS - Survey required.

7. What are the requirements for House Numbers?

Section 16-83

Every property owner of improved property shall purchase and display in a conspicuous place on the property the number assigned which shall be of a type approved by the town council and at least six (6) inches in height. 08/06/2019  

Every property owner of an ocean-front lot shall place their assigned street number on the ocean side of the primary structure.

8. What do I need for a Moving Permit?

• Single wide (Moving Out of Surf City only)
• A Moving Permit must be approved and you must contact the Police Department to make arrangements.
• Stick Built (Moving In, Moving Out, or Moving thru Surf City)
• Must be approved by the Town Council, a Moving Permit must be approved, and you must contact the Police Department to make arrangements.

9. What is required on Plot Plans?

• Please delineate the following on your plot plan:
• Show the driveway to edge of pavement and the measurement of the driveway.
• Delineate any trees as required by the ordinance (unless submitted separately)
• Must be sealed by a surveyor
• Delineate all decks, stairs walkaways and accessory structures.
• If pervious material are required please show.
• Show maximum allowed impervious area of lot.
• Setback lines.
• These are items commonly left off of plot plans and not a complete list. If you have any questions of additional requirements please contact us.

10. What do I need to put in a Pool or Hot Tub?

• 4 foot strip of concrete allowed (if pervious calculations for your lot allow) – any more must be pervious.
• All applications must have survey with proposed pool and associated decking drawn in by surveyor (stamped and signed).
• Check with HOA & Homeowners Insurance regarding fence and alarm.
• Check your calculations for impervious lot coverage allowed for your lot. Found on your deed restrictions and/or survey map. Must be updated on submitted survey.
• If above ground 5' setback from edge of deck not attached to house.
• If ground level pool and deck 5' setback from edge of pool.
• If in V-Zone Must be engineered, CAMA permit, Pool V-zone Certificate, & Elevation Certificate.
• May need CAMA permit.
• Must get a Pool permit, Zoning permit, and Electrical permit. 
• New Hot Tub installation on a deck requires Engineered drawings. If replacing a hot tub of same size or smaller Engineers drawing are not required. Hot Tub installed on ground do not require Engineered drawings.

11. Where do I find information on Windborne Debris Protection?

Click here to get information directly from NC Department of Insurance.

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1. How can I get a copy of a police report?

You may pick up a copy of an incident report, typically, the next business day following the reporting of the incident at the Surf City Police Department, 214 W. Florence Way, Hampstead NC 28443, between the hours of 8:00AM-5:00PM Monday through Friday.  A request form will need to be completed and approved in some cases.

It may, however, take between 3-5 business days before accident report is available to view online. Crash reports are available through the DMV website. 

2. Where do I go to get fingerprinted for my job?

The Surf City Police Department does not and cannot provide this service. Fingerprints may be obtained at the Pender County Sheriff's Office (910-259-1212) 605 E. Fremont St. Burgaw, NC.  Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. The fee is $10. Onslow County Sheriff's Office (910-455-3113) 717 Court St. Jacksonville, NC. Monday - Friday By Appointment Only. The Fee is $10.

3. What can I do with old prescription drugs or medicine?

We all have old prescriptions in our medicine cabinet or random pills in our bathroom drawers that we can’t quite remember the name of. You might think it’s smart to hold on to them JUST IN CASE, but those drugs you’re letting languish in your home could lead to addiction, be swallowed by a child or grandchild, make someone sick because they’re out of date, or even harm the water supply when you flush them down the drain. 

The Surf City Police Department is making it easy for you to get rid of those drugs – just stop by the police department at 214 W. Florence Way and drop them in the drug disposal box right in the lobby. No questions asked! No paper work to fill out! You can come by any time 8am to 5 pm, 7 days a week.  

NOTE: WE DO NOT ACCEPT SYRINGES, LANCETS or NEEDLES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER. If you need further information on where to dispose of such items, please use the following website: https://safeneedledisposal.org/states/north-carolina/ 

4. Who do I call to have a child restraining system (car seat) installed?

The police department does offer this service.  An officer will spend about 30 minutes with you covering basic safety information and teaching you how to properly install your car seat.  Please make sure to bring your car manual and car seat manual.  Please call 910-328-7711 to schedule an appointment.

The Surf City Fire Department also has certified car seat installers if an officer is not available. 

5. Will the detective/officer assigned to my case contact me?

When a case is assigned to a uniformed officer for follow-up investigation, that officer will contact the victim within 5 working days. When cases are assigned to members of the investigative team they are to contact the victim within 72 hours following assignment of the case. Both uniformed officers and investigators are responsible for maintaining contact with the victim as necessary throughout the investigation.

6. If my case is not solved quickly will it be forgotten about?

No. If no leads, evidence or other information is available, then the case is placed in an inactive file. Often, inactive cases are cleared at a later date through information developed from active cases. We encourage you to report all criminal violations to the police department. If you have a question or additional information about your case that may help us solve it, please contact the police department.

7. How can I get my property back?

The police department only receives property in three ways: evidence, found property, and confiscated property. Property may be claimed at the police department by appointment only. Call to schedule your appointment. In order to claim property you must have current picture ID. There must be sufficient supporting information to prove ownership of any property to be claimed. Property collected as evidence can only be claimed with a court order which is obtained from court after the case has been tried. You may call 910-328-7711 if you have questions about claiming property.

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1. What is voluntary annexation?

Voluntary annexation means that a property owner has requested that the property they own be  annexed or brought into the jurisdiction of the Town of Surf City.

2. What does a property owner get when voluntarily annexing into Surf City?

Anyone voluntarily annexing into the Town of Surf City will be eligible for all services provided by the Town of Surf City:

1. Police Protection
2. Fire Protection
3. Subdivision and Zoning Regulation
4. Building Inspection
5. Garbage Collections
6. Parks and Recreation rates for citizens and property owners.
7. Voting Privileges

3. Will I have water and sewer service available to my property if I voluntarily annex into Surf City?

If water and sewer lines are in front of your property then you will as a Surf City citizen / property owner be allowed to tie into the system. If water and sewer does not run past your house it will be the responsibility of the land owner or developer voluntarily annexed property to extend services to their property.

4. Who can apply to be voluntarily annexed into Surf City?

Any property that is within three (3) miles of the contiguous city limits of the Town.

5. If I adjoin a property filing for voluntary annexation how will my property be affected?

If you are not within the jurisdiction of the Town of Surf City then you will still be required to follow the rules and regulations set forth by the county. You will not be annexed into town just because your neighbor(s) have applied for annexation. Also, you will not be required to follow the rules and regulations required for properties within the Town and you will not have to pay Town of Surf City taxes.

6. How can I apply to have my property voluntarily annexed?

You will need to fill out the appropriate application form which can be obtained from SurfCityTown Hall, call us at 910-328-4131. All applications must have a metes and bounds descriptions and a boundary survey no larger than 8.5 inches by 14 inches.

Non-Contiguous Annexation

Contiguous Annexation