Commercial Permits

There are three levels of review for an Zoning Compliance Permit(DOCX, 361KB)

• A Limited Review Administrative Zoning Compliance Permit is for the following types of work that require a limited staff review:
  • Food truck
  • Change of use
  • Soil boring
  • Tree work
  • Site lighting
  • Temporary event/sales
  • Exterior improvements related to Minor Works COA in a historic district
• An Administrative Zoning Compliance Permit is for projects that only require staff review for exterior improvements, land-disturbing activity, and other types of work outlined in Section 4.9 of the Land Use Management Ordinance 
• A Final Plans Zoning Compliance Permit for the construction of new developments with an active entitlement (Conditional Zoning District, Special Use Permit, Site Plan Approval)

What information is needed to apply? 

See Zoning Compliance Permit Application Requirements(PDF, 154KB) for more information. File size is limited to 100 MB for attachments. 

Supplemental document list if you know what you're looking for!

• Project Fact Sheet
• Site Plan Requirements Checklist
• Limited Review Admin ZCP Site Plan Requirements Checklist
• Stream Determination Request
• Jordan Watershed Riparian Buffer Authorization or Jordan Buffer Notice of Exemption
• No Rise Certification Form
• Floodplain Development Permit Application
• Resource Conservation District Exemption Request
• Orange County Solid Waste Management Plan
• As-Built Requirements 

Site Plan Resources

Interactive GIS Map: use this map to see your property's zoning district.  You can also see if your property is within a Special Protection Area (historic district or resource conservation district).

Zoning Lookup Tool: use this tool to find the zoning district.

Commercial Plans

Construction drawings are drawn in plan and section views, providing specifications for structural elements and load paths. A full set of construction drawings should include the following: a footing/ foundation plan, floor system framing plan and roof framing plan and a wall sections at a minimum. Depending on the scope of the project, additional details may be requested. Some examples are below:

• Architectural and structural work.
• Detailed plumbing, mechanical, electrical drawings if included in project
• Life safety sheet showing egress paths, travel distances, location, size and swing of all doors, exit signage, and location of lighting. Must be a scaled drawing.

Existing multifamily up fits would need to meet the requirements of Residential Projects

• NC State Building Code
• Life Safety - Fire review

Building Permit Forms

• Town of Chapel Hill Building Code Summary Form
• You may submit an Appendix B with your building plans in lieu of the Town of Chapel Hill Building Code Summary form. 
• Orange County Recyclable Materials Form(PDF, 427KB)
• Change of Contractor Form(PDF, 327KB)
• Certificate of Insurance (COI)
• Lien Agent Confirmation (Provide doc with QR code from LiensNC.com)
• Workers' Compensation Affidavit(PDF, 154KB)
• Owner Exemption Affidavit(PDF, 341KB)
• Temporary Power Form(PDF, 177KB)
• Haz Mat Disclosure Form.pdf
• Special Inspections Application (as required in chapter 17 of the NC Building Code)
• Permitting Matrix.xlsx (only for new multi-family construction with more than 3 units)
• Appendix G Form.pdf (for third-party inspection documentation)
• Appendix C1 (Statement of System Commissioning for Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical

• Permit Fee Schedule