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Planning and Inspections Department

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About Us

Divisions:

The Planning and Inspections Department is divided into six divisions which have the following fields of expertise:

• Administration and Planning Systems - In addition to providing leadership, clerical aid, coordination, agenda administration, and GIS mapping to the entire department, this division is involved in special projects such as the Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan and others.
• Comprehensive Planning - Includes most of the long-range planning such as the Land Use Element, Transportation Planning, and the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
• Current Planning and Zoning - Deals with most of the short-range planning such as major and minor subdivision regulation, Planned Development and Special Use Permit, Transfer of Development Rights, home occupations, and zoning.
• Erosion Control - The Erosion Control Division enforces the Erosion Control Ordinance and the Stormwater Ordinance; administers the Neuse Buffer Rules; reviews erosion control plans; issues plan approvals and permits; inspects permitted sites; and investigates complaints and unauthorized land disturbances.
• GIS - The Planning GIS division (which is part of the Administration and Planning Systems division) is responsible for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping for the Planning Department, census projects and data collection for various planning projects.
• Inspections - The building inspections division enforces the mandated NC State Building Code and conducts inspections during construction of buildings, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems to ensure code compliance.

Boards/Groups/Task Forces:

The Planning and Inspections Department works closely with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)  and the following county-appointed boards, groups and task forces:

• Orange County Board of Adjustment (BOA)
• Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) 
• Orange County Planning Board (PB)  
• Efland Mebane Small Area Plan (EMSAP) Implementation Focus Group
• Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Task Force
• NC Highway 57 Speedway Area Small Area Plan (NC57SASAP) Task Force

Meeting schedules that might be of interest: 

• Meeting Schedule Calendars

Planning Department Staff: 

• Staff Directory by Division   OR 

• Staff Directory Alphabetized by First Name

How to contact us: 

• Location, Telephone/Fax Numbers, Hours, and Holiday Schedule