Site Plan Review

Site plan approval is required for all new development in the city, including redevelopment of existing properties. The process through which that development is approved depends on what is being proposed and what the property is currently zoned (see current zoning map).

Approval is required for the construction, reconstruction, revision, or enlargement of:

New buildings
Building additions that exceed 500 square feet in gross floor area
Parking facilities with 5 or more parking spaces
Parking facilities that are 2,500 square feet or larger

New Application Portal

All new development projects within the city must apply for a Pre-TRC Consultation via the Development & Permitting Services online portal. The platform allows users to submit applications, track the progress of existing applications, resubmit plans and documents, and pay invoices. Projects that are either currently under review or have been recently approved can be found on the Development & Permitting Services site.

The Development Tracker Map includes projects submitted prior to November 18, 2024. If you completed a Pre-TRC review prior to November 18, 2021, please contact Plan Review staff.

Getting Started Guide(PDF, 155KB) Apply Online

Beware of Fraudulent Invoices

The City of Wilmington is aware that fraudulent invoices have been sent to applicants requesting money via wire transfer. The emails often contain pertinent information pulled from the application (such as address, parcel number, and case number), but include a fake invoice with fabricated application fees.

Here are a few ways to spot a fraudulent invoice:

Applications must be filed online via the City's Development and Permitting Services (DPS) platform. This platform will generate invoices for application fees, and your personal dashboard on that platform will identify any outstanding fees. You can also obtain a copy of the invoice via that platform.
The City will never request payment via wire transfer or issue an invoice that asks you to contact someone via email or phone for them to provide the payment method. Acceptable payment types and locations are noted above.
Many of these invoices also reference exorbitant fees. As noted, your personal dashboard in the DPS platform will identify any outstanding fees. Additionally, the City's Fee Schedule(PDF, 703KB) is established annually and posted online. Please review the permit fees to ensure you are being charged the proper amount.

If ever in doubt, don't hesitate to call the City's Planning Department at +1-910-254-0900 to confirm if the email or invoice you have received is authentic. Or if you have any questions about online permitting, please email planreview@wilmingtonnc.gov.

Process

Step 1.Planning & Zoning Assessment

Contact the development review team to schedule a preliminary review of your development concept before submitting for Pre-TRC review. The purpose of this meeting is to confirm that the proposed use is permitted, identify any supplemental standards that may apply (e.g., tree removal, parking, landscaping), and provide general guidance on the proposed concept.

Step 2.Pre-TRC Consultation

PRE-TRC MINIMUM SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS

Required prior to submitting for formal TRC review.
Intended to provide the applicant with the necessary information and guidance to successfully submit for formal TRC review.
Additional consultations may be needed or desired.
The pre-TRC consultation may be waived by TRC at the applicant’s request.
There is no fee for the pre-TRC consultation.

Step 3.Formal Site Plan Review

MINIMUM FORMAL SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS

The goal of formal Technical Review Committee (TRC) review is to approve or conditionally approve a site plan application at the TRC meeting.

Completeness Check (1 week). Each TRC discipline will review the application for completeness within a week of receiving the application. If complete, the application will be placed on the next available TRC agenda (approximately 5 weeks from submission). If incomplete (e.g., missing information or materials), staff will inform the applicant of the missing information or materials. The application will not be placed on the TRC agenda until all required information is provided.
Application Review (4 weeks). Each discipline will review the complete application and comments will be compiled by the assigned planner and provided to the applicant three days prior to the scheduled TRC meeting.
Resubmittals (3 weeks). Following Formal TRC Review, the applicant will resubmit plans that address any outstanding comments. All resubmittals must include an updated submittal package and a resubmittal letter that identifies how and where each comment was addressed (multiple resubmittals may be necessary if all comments are not adequately addressed). Each discipline will review the resubmittal and comments will be compiled by the assigned planner and provided to the applicant (3 weeks).
Completion. Once technical review is complete and all required permits are submitted the applicant will submit a final plan set for signatures and construction release. Per G.S. 143-755, projects with no resubmittals or applicant response within six (6) months shall be discontinued and considered withdrawn.

Apply

Step 1.Electronic Submissions

All site plan review applications must be submitted via the city’s Development & Permitting Services site. Please contact Plan Review staff if you need assistance.

Step 2.Application Components

All application components (e.g. application, site plan, stormwater permit application, landscape plan, building elevations, waiver request letter, tree removal permit, TIA scoping letter, etc.) must be submitted individually and named accordingly.

Step 3.Professional Seals

Professional seals (engineers, land surveyors, architects, etc) on digital plans must be redacted from digital copies submitted to the city for review. Please be sure to mark, strike through, or otherwise conceal any professional seal located on your digital (re)submittals (e.g., PDF).

Fees

Step 1.Payment Timing

Application Fees(PDF, 703KB) must be paid in full prior to commencement of formal review of a site plan by the Technical Review Committee (TRC).

Step 2.Fee Amount

Fees must be verified in advance of submitting a formal site plan review application as part of the required pre-TRC consultation or in correspondence with the assigned planner.

Step 3.Payment Options

If you plan to pay in advance, planning staff must first notify the collections department to enable acceptance of payments.

Payment by Phone

Call the Billing & Collections Office at +1-910-343-4745
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday except for holidays)
VISA and MasterCard payments only

Payment in Person

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday except for holidays)
Billing & Collections Office
Skyline Center
929 North Front Street, 1st Floor
Wilmington, NC 28401

Payment by Mail

Make check or money order made payable to: City of Wilmington
Please include invoice number or account number
Regular Mail
City of Wilmington Collections
PO Box 1810
Wilmington, NC 28402
Express Mail
City of Wilmington Collections
929 North Front Street, 1st Floor
Wilmington, NC 28401