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Zoning, Permitting, & Development Review
All business occupancy permits and building construction conducted within the City of Conover requires zoning approval through the Planning Department. For additional information please feel free to stop by City Hall or call 828-464-1191 to speak with someone on our staff. We will be more than happy to assist you with getting your business open as soon as possible!
We have three levels of development in Conover, Level II, Level I and Small Projects. The process for review depends on the scale of the proposal:
Small Projects
Small projects are those projects that require a zoning permit but do not require formal plan submittal. These include the construction of a single family home on a previously platted lot, additions to a house, construction of accessory buildings, commercial signage, commercial repainting, resurfacing, fences, carports, and driveways.
Level I development
Level I projects are those developments that do not meet the threshold for Level II projects and are not a Small Project (projects affecting a single family home, signage, driveways and similar things).
Level II Development
The following developments meeting or exceeding the following standards are considered Level II projects and are reviewed as a conditional zoning application:
- Multifamily residential: 16 or more units or, for congregant living, 16 or more residents;
- Mobile home park: Mobile home park with two or more units;
- Institutional: 20,000 square feet or more of building area;
- Commercial and mixed use: 20,000 square feet or more of building area, (For auto/boat/ recreation vehicle uses or for similar uses that rely on outdoor space for the primary activity, the square feet calculation includes buildings and outdoor sales, storage or activity areas);
- Industrial: 100,000 or more square feet of building area;
- Expansions of existing buildings, when the existing building along with the new addition meets or exceeds the threshold (additions of no more than 2 multifamily residential units or 10% of the threshold amount, exempted)
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Erik Schlichting
Planning Director
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Heather Stephens
Assistant Planner
- What is my property zoned?
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Call or stop by the Planning Department. Planning Staff can tell you what your property is zoned as well as the permitted uses, setbacks, etc.
You may also look at our Zoning Map (PDF) to identify what your property is zoned. If you still have questions, please give us a call and we can help anytime!
- How do I rezone my property?
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To rezone a parcel of land, a Zoning Map Amendment (Rezoning) application must be filled out. The fee to apply for rezoning is $400. The request will go before the Planning Board at the next scheduled meeting. The Planning Board will hear the request along with the staff's recommendation and will then make a recommendation to the City Council which will vote whether the request is appropriate or not. Any citizen interested in rezoning their property is encouraged to discuss and meet with the Planning Department. To begin the process of rezoning your property, please fill out the application (PDF).
- What is the cost for different types of permits?
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The costs for various permits are outlined in the following table:
Description Fee Certificate of Occupancy $50 Driveway Permit $50 Zoning Consistency Letter $50 Zoning Map Amendment (Rezoning) $400 Zoning Text Amendment $500 Conditional Zoning $500 * Sign Permit $25 Expansion/Addition/Accessory Structures: Residential $25 Expansion/Addition/Accessory Structures: Non-Residential $100
* - Applicants are responsible for reimbursing the cost of city engineer review fees for applicable submitted projects. Applicant will be billed by the City of Conover. Applicant is also responsible for any recording feeds for required plats/deeds with Catawba County Register of Deeds. - How do I start a business in Conover?
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The first step to opening a business in Conover is to stop by the Planning Department. Planning Staff will make sure that your type of business is permitted where you want to locate. All forms and checklists you will need to open a business are located in the Planning Department. You will need a Certificate of Occupancy to open a business in Conover. This is our version of a business license.
- Do I need a privilege license to do business in Conover?
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No, if your business is located in the Conover city limits, solicits business in the Conover city limits or performs a service in the Conover city limits, a privilege license is not required. You will need a Certificate of Occupancy to do business in Conover though. Please see our Permits, Fees, and Forms page for this.
Peddlers, or temporary merchants, must be approved by the Police Department.
- Do I need a permit to put up a fence?
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Yes, you will need a permit to put up a fence on your property.
Fences are not allowed in the front yard, but are allowed in the side and rear yards. Fences can be placed on the property lines. The Planning Department recommends that a survey of your property be completed to make sure that you build the fence on your property. Fences can be a maximum of 8 feet high in the side and back yards and is not permitted in the front yard.
Please see the link for the fence code: Conover Fence Code
- Do I need a permit to place or construct a utility building on my property?
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Yes, a permit is required to protect the interests of you and your neighbors. Even if the building is a pre-fab building bought at a home improvement store, it still requires a zoning permit. If the building is longer than twelve (12) feet on any side, Catawba County will require a permit in addition to the Conover Zoning Permit.
Utility Buildings must be located in the back yard and five (5) from the rear and side property lines (12.5 feet if on a corner lot), five (5) from an other building on the property, and twenty (20) feet away from your neighbor's home.
- Will I need a permit to replace an existing sign?
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Yes, sign permits are one of the most common we see in the Planning Department. A sign permit is required for each sign (even if refacing existing) to ensure you are in compliance with the Sign Ordinance. A link to the Sign Ordinance is below. Please review the ordinance to ensure the proposed sign will be in compliance. When submitting a sign permit, a color rendering of the sign with measurements must be included for Staff to approve the permit. Sign permits may be dropped off in the Planning Department or e-mailed to planning staff.
- Do I need a permit to have a yard sale?
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No, a zoning permit is not needed for a yard sale. However, residents are limited to two yard sales per year.
- Can I place a for sale or other type of sign at the intersection down the street?
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No, signs are not allowed in the right-of-way or on utility poles. Only on-premise signs are allowed with a permit. This regulation prevents safety hazards associated with temporary signs obstructing vision at intersections. This can cause unnecessary traffic accidents. In addition, these signs are unsightly and have a negative effect on the appearance of our community.