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Oak Island City Zoning Code

ARTICLE 6

- ZONING DISTRICTS

SECTION 6.1 - ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS.

In accordance with the requirements of G.S. 160D-502, G.S. 160D-605(b), G.S. 160D-703, and G.S. 106D-909 that zoning regulation be by districts, the Town of Oak Island, as shown on the Zoning Map, is hereby divided into districts which shall be governed by all of the uniform use and dimensional requirements of this Ordinance. In the creation of the respective districts, careful consideration is given to the peculiar suitability of each and every district for the particular regulations applied thereto, and the necessary, proper, and comprehensive groupings and arrangements of various uses and densities of population in accordance with a well-considered comprehensive plan for the physical development of the area.

The purposes of establishing the zoning districts are:

• To implement adopted plans;

• To promote public health, safety, and general welfare;

• To provide for orderly growth and development;

• To provide for the efficient use of resources;

• To facilitate the adequate provision of services.

(Ord. of 10-9-2018; Amend. of 2-9-2021(3))

SECTION 6.2 - INTERPRETATION.

Zoning districts have uses specified as permitted by right, special uses, and uses permitted with supplemental regulations. Detailed use tables are provided in Section 6.5 showing the uses allowed in each district. The following describes the processes of each of the categories that the uses are subject to:

• Permitted by Right: Administrative review and approval subject to district provisions and other applicable requirements only.

• Permitted with Supplemental Regulations: Administrative review and approval subject to district provisions, other applicable requirements, and supplemental regulations outlined in Article 7.

• Special Uses: Town Council review and approval of Special Use Permit subject to district provisions, other applicable requirements, and conditions of approval as specified in Section 4.9. Some Special Uses may also be subject to supplemental regulations outlined in Article 7.

• Uses Not Permitted: Uses not marked with a P, PS, S, or SS are not permitted.

(Ord. of 10-9-2018; Amend. of 9-8-2020(2); Amend. of 4-11-2023(2))

SECTION 6.3 - PRIMARY ZONING DISTRICTS.

For the purposes of this Ordinance, the Town of Oak Island, North Carolina is hereby divided into the following primary zoning districts:

6.3.1. R-20 Low Density Residential District. The R-20 district is established to provide areas for the preservation and development of residential neighborhoods and for lower density residential development. The predominant use of the land in the R-20 district is for low density, single-family dwellings and their customary accessory uses.

6.3.2. R-9 Medium Density Residential District. The R-9 district is established to provide areas for the preservation and development of residential neighborhoods and for medium density residential development. The predominant use of the land in this district is for medium density, single-family dwellings and their customary accessory uses.

6.3.3. R-7 Medium Density Residential District. The R-7 district is established to provide areas for the preservation and development of residential neighborhoods and for medium density residential development. The predominant use of the land in this R-7 district is for medium density, single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings and their customary accessory uses.

6.3.4. R-6 Residential District. The R-6 district is established to provide areas for the preservation and development of residential neighborhoods and for higher density residential development. The principal uses in the R-6 district include single-family residences and their customary accessory uses.

6.3.5. R-6MF Higher Density Residential District. The R-6MF district is established to provide areas for the preservation and development of residential neighborhoods and for higher density residential development with a range of housing types. The principal uses in this R-6MF district include larger sized single-family residences, multifamily residences, and other compatible uses.

6.3.6. R-6MH Higher Density Residential District. The R-6MH district is established to provide areas for the preservation and development of residential neighborhoods and for residential development with a range of housing types. The principal uses in this R-6MH district include single-family residences, manufactured housing, tiny homes and their customary accessory uses.

6.3.7. O&I Office and Institutional District. The purpose of the office and institutional district (O&I) is established to provide standards for low-intensity office and institutional uses in close proximity to residential areas in order to ensure compatibility with adjacent development types. The office and institutional district (O&I) is intended to act as a transition zone between the more intense commercial zones and developed or developing residential areas.

6.3.8, 6.3.9. Reserved.

6.3.10. CB Community Business District. The CB business district is established as a zone in which the use of the land is for commercial and service uses for the surrounding urban market area.

6.3.11. CR Commercial Recreation District. The purpose of this CR recreation district shall be to provide for, protect, and encourage a grouping of beachfront enterprises providing accommodations and recreation to persons wishing to lodge near the strand or participate in the various water sports available to them.

6.3.12. C-LD Commercial Low Density District. Districts in this C-LD category are intended primarily to be located in outlying areas, adjacent to a major thoroughfare, with yards and other provisions for reducing conflicts with adjacent residential uses, and with substantial setbacks to reduce marginal friction on adjacent major thoroughfares. This C-LD district will serve requirements of residential neighborhoods for commercial facilities and the requirements of highway-oriented tourist businesses.

6.3.13. OS Open Space District. The purpose of this OS open space district is to preserve and protect the areas of environmental concern as identified by G.S. 113A-113 and 15 NCAC 7H.0200 and other environmentally sensitive areas as may be identified by the Town Council. The OS district allows for low impact uses as specified in Section 6.5.

6.3.14. AD Airport District. The purpose of this district is to ensure that the airport is protected from incompatible uses and that uses surrounding the facility are compatible with expansion of airport operations.

6.3.15. ID Industrial District. The ID Industrial District is established as a district in which the principal use of land is for industries which can be operated in a relatively clean and quiet manner and which will not be obnoxious to adjacent residential or business districts. The regulations are designed to prohibit the use of land for heavy industry, which should be properly segregated, and to prohibit any other use that would substantially interfere with the development of industrial establishments in the district.

6.3.16. PUD Planned Unit Development Special Zoning District. The PUD zoning district is comprised of approved projects, at various stages of development completion, with a mixture of land uses according to an overall site plan. Uses are limited to those identified in the Table of Uses and Activities; uses and conditions are established at the time the district is approved. Existing PUD districts are subject to the modification procedures as provided in Section 4.7.15. Applications for new similar proposals shall follow the Conditional Zoning procedures as provided in Section 4.9. Formerly approved PUD projects are subject to the uses and conditions established at the time the district was approved, any request for modification of an approved PUD zoning district shall follow Section 4.7.15.

(Ord. of 10-9-2018, Amend. of 11-13-2018; Amend. of 6-8-2021(10); Amend. of 10-11-2022)

6.3.17 Conditional Zoning. A conditional zoning district is intended for a development that has a high level of certainty of being constructed and the most commonly expected application will contain a specified use or uses, permitted by right, permitted with supplemental regulations, or special use, on small- and large-scale projects. All uses listed as part of any application must be in the same format and description as listed in the table of uses. All applications to establish a conditional zoning district must follow the regulations prescribed in Section 4.8A in addition to the standard zoning map amendment (rezoning) process as described in Section 4.6.

(Amend. of 2-8-2022; Amend. of 4-11-2023(2))

SECTION 6.4 - OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT.

6.4.1. PCO Beach/Private Club Overlay District. The purpose of this beach/private club overlay district is to provide reasonable regulation of beach/private clubs in the community in regard to the health, safety and welfare of the community.

(Ord. of 10-9-2018; Amend. of 4-11-2023(2))

SECTION 6.5 - TABLE OF USES AND ACTIVITIES.

P - Permitted Use
PS - Permitted Use with Supplemental Regulations
S - Special Use
SS - Special Use with Supplemental Regulations
— - Not Permitted

Residential Commercial Conservation Industrial
Primary Zoning Districts Overlay
District 		Supplemental
Regulations
Uses R-20 R-9 R-7 R-6 R-6MF R-6MH CB CR C-LD OS AD ID PCO
ACCESSORY USES/BUILDINGS
Accessory buildings/structures PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS — — PS — Section 7.2
Docks, gazebos, bulkheads, living shorelines, and piers PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS — — Section 7.5
Home occupations PS PS PS PS PS PS — — — — — — — Section 7.7
Retaining walls PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS SS PS PS PS Section 7.8
Satellite dish antennas PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS — SS — — Section 7.9
Solar energy generating facility,
accessory 		PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS — PS PS — Section 7.10
Temporary storage facility (portable
storage units) 		PS PS PS PS PS — PS PS — PS PS — Section 7.12
Walls and fences PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS SS PS PS PS Section 7.57
Wind energy generating facility,
accessory 		— — — — — — SS SS SS — SS SS — Section 7.13
EDUCATIONAL
Colleges, universities, community
colleges 		— — — — — — — SS — — — — Section 7.64
Libraries, public P P P P P P P — P — — — —
Libraries, private PS PS PS PS PS PS P — P — — — — Section 7.65
Schools, K-12 S S S S S S — — PS — — — — Section 7.66
School, trade or vocational — — — — — — — PS — — P — Section 7.67
INSTITUTIONAL
Cemetery — — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.14
Religious Institution PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS — — — — Section 7.15
Community or municipal sewage and water treatment plants SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS — SS P — Section 7.68
Country clubs SS SS — — — — — — — — — — — Section 7.69
Crematorium — — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.16
Fire stations SS SS SS SS SS SS P P P PS P P — Section 7.70
Government buildings/offices SS — — — — — P P P — P P — Section 7.97
Governmental postal processing
facilities 		SS — — — — — P P P — — P — Section 7.71
Hospitals — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Clinics, and other medical treatment
facilities 		— — — — — — P — P — — — —
Military reserve, national guard centers — — — — — — — — — — P P —
Non-profit clubs or lodges — — — SS — — PS PS PS — — — — Section 7.60
Penal & correctional
facilities 		— — — — — — — — — — — SS — Section 7.72
Private clubs or lodges — — — — — — PS PS PS — — — — Section 7.17
Public or private utility towers,
substations, pumping stations and
storage tanks 		SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS PS — Section 7.18
Recycling center — — — — — — — — — — — P —
Special events — — — — — — P P P P P — —
Utility company (no open-air storage) — — — — — — P — — — — P —
MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL
Artisan's workshop (3,000 square feet or less) — — — — — — PS PS — — — — — Section 7.19
Artisan's workshop (exceeding 3,000 square feet) — — — — — — SS — — — — PS — Section 7.19
Building materials sales and storage yards — — — — — — — — P — — P —
Cabinet and woodworking
establishments 		— — — — — — — — P — — P —
Cold storage plant — — — — — — — — — — — P —
Industrial laundries — — — — — — P — P — — P —
Fertilizer sales — — — — — — — — — — — P —
Laboratories for research and testing — — — — — — — — PS — — PS — Section 7.73
Manufacturing, light — — — — — — — — — — PS — — Section 7.62
Manufacturing, heavy — — — — — — — — — — SS — — Section 7.63
Mining or quarrying operations,
including on-site sales of products 		— — — — — — — — — — — P — Section 7.98
Petroleum bulk storage — — — — — — — — — — — PS — Section 7.20.2
Reclamation landfill — — — — — — — — — — — P —
Recycling processing centers — — — — — — — — — — — SS — Section 7.99
OFFICES, PROFESSIONAL AND SERVICES
Contractors offices and equipment
storage 		— — — — — — SS — PS — — PS — Section 7.21
Offices P P
RECREATIONAL
Automobile and motorcycle racing track — — — — — — — — — — — P —
Recreational campgrounds and RV parks — — — — — — — PS PS — — — — Section 7.23
Coliseums, stadiums designed to
accommodate more than 1,000 people 		— — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.74
Commercial recreation facility, indoor — — — — — — PS PS PS — PS — — Section 7.103
Commercial recreation facility, outdoor — — — — — — SS SS PS — SS — — Section 7.102
Community centers SS — — — — — PS PS PS — — — — Section 7.75
Golf courses SS — — — — — — — — — — — Section 7.76
Gun range, closed air — — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.24
Gun range, open air — — — — — — — — — — SS — Section 7.24
Marinas/boatominium — — — — — — — PS PS — — — — Section 7.25
Movie theaters — — — — — — P — P — — — —
Public recreation facility, indoor PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS — — Section 7.101
Public recreation facility, outdoor PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS — — Section 7.100
RESIDENTIAL
Multi-unit assisted living with services PS PS PS PS PS PS — — — — — — — Section 7.77
Dwelling, garage apartment (as accessory) — — — — SS — — — — — — — — Section 7.78
Dwelling, manufactured home Class A
(on a single lot) 		— — — — P — — — — — — —
Dwelling, multi-family — — — — SS — Section 7.79
Dwelling, attached to a business — — — — — PS PS PS — — — —
Dwelling, single-family (small) P P P P P P P P — — — —
Dwelling, single-family (large) SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS — — — — Section 7.27
Dwelling, single-family (mainland) P P P P P P — — P — — — —
Dwelling, three-family apartments — — — — P — — — — — — — —
Dwelling, townhouse development — — — — SS — — — SS — — — — Section 7.81
Dwelling, two-family (duplex) P P — — — — — — —
Family care home PS PS PS PS PS PS — — — — — — — Section 7.28
Family child care home PS PS PS PS PS PS — — — — — — — Section 7.4.2
Family foster home P P P P P P — — — — — — —
Floating homes — — — — — — — SS — — — — — Section 7.104
Manufactured housing parks — — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.29
Residential child-care facility PS PS PS PS PS PS — — — — — — — Section 7.82
Temporary emergency, construction, and repair residences PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS Section 7.30
Tiny houses — — — — — PS — — — — — — — Section 7.31
RETAIL SALES AND SERVICES
Auction halls — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Audio/video production facilities — — — — — — SS — P — — — — Section 7.83
Automobile parking garages or parking lots (independent) — — — — — — P — PS — — — — Section 7.84
Automobile parts and accessories — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Automobile repair shop or body shop — — — — — — — — P — — P —
Automobile sales and service — — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.32
Automobile service stations — — — — — — PS — PS — — — — Section 7.33
Automobile window tinting, stereo or rim installation — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Bars — — — — — — P P
Battery charging station — — — — — — SS SS — — — — Section 7.34
Battery exchange station — — — — — — — — SS — — — — Section 7.34
Bed & breakfast — — PS — SS — — PS — — — — Section 7.35
Car wash — — — — — — SS — PS — — — — Section 7.86
Child care center — — — — SS SS SS — SS — — — — Section 7.4.1
Coffee shop, no food prepared on site — — — — — — P — P — — — —
Commercial greenhouse or nursery — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Commercial piers — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.36
Mixed use — — — — — — SS SS SS — — — — Section 7.56
Convenience stores — — — — — — PS — PS — — — — Section 7.38
Daycare facility, adult — — — — — — SS — SS — — — — Section 7.39
Distilleries — — — — — — — — PS — — PS — Section 7.40
Dog grooming (no outdoor kennels) — — — — — — P — P — — — —
Engine repair, small (including motorcycle) — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Exercise and physical fitness centers — — — — — — P — P — — — —
Exterminating and pest control services — — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.105
Farm, craft, produce markets — — — — — — SS SS SS — — — SS Section 7.41
Farm machinery/equipment sales and service — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Flea markets — — — — — — — — SS — — — — Section 7.42
Florists/garden centers — — — — — — P P P — — — S
Food trucks — — — — — — PS PS PS — PS — — Section 7.43
Funeral home — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Furniture store — — — — — — P — P — — — S
Gas sales operations — — — — — — PS — PS — — — SS Section 7.33
Golf cart and low speed vehicles sales and rentals — — — — — — PS PS PS — — — — Section 7.55
Health spa — — — — — — P P P — — — —
Hotels and motels — — — — — — SS SS P — — — — Section 7.106
Kennels — — — — — — PS — PS — — — — Section 7.107
Laundromat — — — — — — PS PS PS — — — — Section 7.108
Manufactured home sales/modular home sales — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Microbrewery — — — — — — PS PS PS — — — — Section 7.40
Museums — — — — — — P — P — — — —
Music studio — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Night clubs and social clubs — — — — — — SS SS SS — — — — Section 7.87
Nursing home SS SS SS SS — — PS — — — — Section 7.88
Outdoor sales and displays (principal use) — — — — — — SS SS SS — — — — Section 7.44
Outdoor sales and displays (accessory use) — — — — — — PS PS PS — — — — Section 7.44
Printing, publishing, and engraving establishments — — — — — — — — P — — P —
Private postal shipping and receiving — — — — — — P — P — — — —
Publicly owned parking lots (independent)* PS PS PS PS PS PS P P P P — — Section 7.85
Radio and TV stations/studios — — — — — — — — P — — —
Rental of goods, merchandise, and
equipment (no outside storage or display of goods) 		— — — — — — P — P — P — —
Rental of goods, merchandise, and
equipment (with outside storage and display of goods) 		— — — — — — — — PS — PS — — Section 7.44
Rental of recreation equipment — — — — — — P P P — P — —
Retail services not otherwise listed — — — — — — P P P — P — —
Restaurants without drive thru services — — — — — — P P P — — — —
Restaurants with drive thru services — — — — — — SS PS — — — — Section 7.90
Seafood processing, packing, and sales — — — — — — — — PS — — PS — Section 7.45
Sexually oriented businesses — — — — — — — — — — — PS — Section 7.46
Shopping center, less than 30,000 sq. ft. gross enclosed floor area — — — — — — — P P — — — —
Shopping center, greater than 30,000 sq. ft. gross enclosed floor area — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Tattoo/body piercing parlors — — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.47
Theater housed in a permanent indoor structure — — — — — — P — P — — — —
Towing, automobile and truck — — — — — — — — P — — P —
Travel agencies — — — — — — P — P — — — —
Truck stop — — — — — — — — SS — — P — Section 7.91
Truck terminals — — — — — — — — — — P —
Truck wash — — — — — — — — — — P —
Upholstery—Furniture repair — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Vendors — — — — — — PS PS PS — — — — Section 7.48
Vessel (boat) for hire — — — — — — P P — — — —
Veterinarian, animal clinic, no outside kennel — — — — — — SS — P — — — — Section 7.92
Veterinarian, animal clinic, outside kennel — — — — — — — — PS — — — — Section 7.49
Watercraft and recreational vehicle sales — — — — — — PS — PS — — — — Section 7.32
TRANSPORTATION
Airports and related uses — — — — — — — — PS — P — — Section 7.59
Bus terminal — — — — — — — — P — — — —
Taxi stands — — — — — — SS — P — — — —
WHOLESALE SALES AND WAREHOUSING
Agricultural product warehousing — — — — — — — — — — P —
Self-service storage facility — — — — — — — — P — — —
Salvage yards, junkyards, automobile graveyards — — — — — — — — — — P —
Storage of goods not related to the sale or use of those goods on the same lot where they are stored — — — — — — — — — — — P —
Warehouses — — — — — — — — — — — P —
Wholesale sales — — — — — — — — SS — — P — Section 7.94
OTHER USES
Agriculturally-related business — — — — — — — — SS — — — — Section 7.96
Community gardens P P P P P P P P P P
Solar farm — — — — — — — — — — PS — Section 7.51
Storage inside completely enclosed structure — — — — — — — — P — P P —
Storage outside completely enclosed structure — — — — — — — — SS — SS P — Section 7.96
Trash and garbage disposal facilities — — — — — — — — — — P —
Temporary uses/sales — — — — — — SS — SS — — — Section 7.52
Wind farm — — — — — — — — — — PS — Section 7.53
Wireless communication facilities, 50' tall or less SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS — SS SS — Section 7.54
Wireless communication facilities, more than 50' tall — — — — — — — — — — — PS — Section 7.54
Yard sales PS PS PS PS PS PS — PS PS — — — Section 7.48

 

(Ord. of 10-9-2018; Amend. of 4-9-2019; Amend. of 8-11-2020(2); Amend. of 10-13-2020(2); Amend. of 1-29-2021(1); Amend. of 2-9-2021(2); Amend. of 6-8-2021(10); Amend. of 8-10-2021; Amend. of 7-12-2022(3); Amend. of 4-11-2023(2); Amend. of 9-10-2024(3); Amend. of 3-11-2025(2))