Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Wade, North Carolina

Town of Wade’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  All land within Wade town limits.

  • The ordinance states it governs land in town on and after October 9, 2013.

  “Complete Zoning Ordinance (Approved: 10/8/2013)”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Division and development of property within Wade town limits.

  • Zoning permits must conform with the Wade Subdivision Ordinance.
  • The county official ordinances page lists the Wade Complete Subdivision Ordinance as updated August 9, 2022.

  “This ordinance shall control the subdivision of land, as defined herein, lying within the boundaries of the Town of Wade or its Municipal Influence Area.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Wade

Town of Wade does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Existing septic systems associated with additions or structures in the Wade service area.

  • The county pamphlet identifies a Stedman/Eastover/Wade Area environmental-health inspector.
  • This finding is limited to the existing-system check described by the pamphlet.

  “Please follow these directions so your inspection can be performed. When the tank is ready for inspection, or if you have any questions, contact the Environmental Health Inspector. [...] Stedman/Eastover/Wade Area”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Existing septic tanks when adding an addition or structure to property in the Wade service area.

  • Includes room and deck additions, storage buildings, swimming pools, and similar work.
  • Inspection application is submitted with the building application.
  • Problems found must be corrected before the permit is issued.

  septic tank inspection fee: 45 USD

  “Septic Tanks must be checked anytime you are adding an addition or structure to your property. This includes room & deck additions, storage buildings, swimming pools, etc. These inspections ensure that any construction will not be placed over the septic tank & lines or within the repair area for the tank. The application for this inspection is submitted in Central Permitting along with your building application. The fee for the septic tank inspection is $45.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Construction or disturbance in a Special Flood Hazard Area inside Wade town limits.

  • A floodplain development permit is required before construction or disturbance begins.
  • Typical residential conditions include elevation of lowest floor, electrical systems, and attendant utilities two feet above base flood elevation, plus an elevation certificate.
  • County maps include Wade; the source says the fee is $35.

  floodplain development permit fee: 35 USD

  “A Floodplain Development Permit (FPDP) will be required before any construction or disturbance may begin within the Special Flood Hazard Area. [...] The permit fee is $35.00.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building, zoning, or renovation permits inside Wade town limits handled by Cumberland County Planning and Inspections.

  • Customer Self-Service Portal account is required for the preferred portal process.
  • Trade permits may also use paper applications in the office.

  “There are multiple ways by which a customer may apply for a permit. The preferred method is by using the Customer Self-Service Portal, you must create an account to apply for a permit. Any type of building, zoning, or renovation permit must be applied for using the portal. Trade permits may be applied for using the portal or our paper applications in office.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Wade or Cumberland County directly.

• Building permit — Residential building work inside Wade town limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Wade town limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Wade town limits.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside Wade town limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Wade town limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.