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

Town of Midway’s own rules

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  A building, structure, or zoning lot inside Midway for which a zoning permit has been issued.

  • The Zoning Administrator must conduct a final inspection and recommend issuance.
  • Water supply and sewage disposal systems must first be approved by the Davidson County Health Department.

  “A building, structure, or zoning lot for which a Zoning Permit has been issued shall not be used or occupied until the Zoning Administrator has, after final inspection, recommended the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy indicating compliance has been made with all the provisions of this Ordinance.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Midway town limits that is designated on the Town's official zoning map.

  • The ordinance applies to land designated as zoning districts on the official Zoning District Map.

  “The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all lands within the areas designated as zoning districts on the official Zoning District Map of Town of Midway.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Official zoning districts and map for Midway's zoning jurisdiction.

  • The official zoning district map is maintained by the Town Clerk and Planning Department.
  • The ordinance identifies RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RS, RM-1, RM-2, RC, CS, O/I, HC, LI, HI, MX-R, and MX-C districts.

  “The Town of Midway Zoning jurisdiction shall be and hereby is divided into Zoning Districts as described herein.”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  Travel trailer/recreational-vehicle occupancy after disaster damage to the owner's principal residence inside Midway.

  • A temporary accessory-use permit may be granted by the Zoning Administrator.
  • The principal residence must be damaged so it cannot be occupied during repair or reconstruction.
  • Occupancy is limited to the owner/occupant and all district setbacks apply.
  • A valid building permit and applicable Davidson County permits are required.

  occupancy period: <= 6 months (Extensions of up to three months may be approved, for a maximum of six months, upon demonstrated significant progress toward completion.)

  “A temporary accessory use permit may be granted by the Zoning Administrator for occupation of a travel trailer/recreational vehicle in cases where the principal residential structure has been damaged to the extent that it cannot be occupied during the course of repair or reconstruction.”

• Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Bona fide farms inside Midway's zoning jurisdiction.

  • Non-farm use of farm property is subject to the zoning regulations.

  “The provisions of this Ordinance which are adopted under NCGS 160D, Article 7 do not affect bona fide farms as defined in this Ordinance. However, any use of farm property for non‐farm purposes shall be subject to the regulations herein.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Development and subdivision of land within Midway's territorial jurisdiction.

  • The ordinance was adopted September 2017 and amended May 2023.

  “Adopted September 2017. Amended May 2023. Establish procedures and standards for the development and subdivision of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the Town of Midway in accordance with NCGS 160D.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Published Town fee schedule for municipal operations inside Midway.

  • The currently linked Town fee schedule is for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027.

  “Fee Schedule Ordinance for the Town of Midway for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2026, and Ending June 30, 2027”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Town zoning or development approvals inside Midway.

  • Applications must be made by a person with a property interest or contract to purchase property.
  • A construction-related development approval must be made together with a building-permit application when a building permit is required.
  • Ordinary repairs and up-fits that do not alter dimensions or footprint are exempt from development approval.

  structure threshold: > 12 feet in height, width, length, or area (Applies to accessory structures and other structures for which construction activity would otherwise need development approval.)

  “All Zoning or Development Approval applications shall be made in print or electronic writing by a person with a property interest or a contract to purchase property to the Zoning Administrator on forms provide for that purpose.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Midway

Town of Midway 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)

  Water supply and sewage-disposal systems serving permitted buildings and structures inside Midway town limits.

  • The Town will not recommend a certificate of occupancy until Davidson County Health Department approval is obtained.

  “The Zoning Administrator shall not recommend the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy until the Davidson County Health Department has approved the water supply and sewage disposal systems as provided.”

• Septic permitLimited

  Temporary travel trailer/recreational-vehicle occupancy authorized after disaster damage inside Midway.

  • A temporary accessory-use permit is required.
  • A valid building permit for repair or reconstruction is required.
  • All applicable Davidson County Environmental Health and Inspections Department permits must be obtained.
  • The unit must connect to public water or an approved County Health Department well.

  maximum initial occupancy: <= 6 months (Extensions of up to three months may be approved, for a maximum of six months, if significant completion progress is demonstrated.)

  “All applicable Davidson County Environmental Health and Inspections Department Permits shall be obtained.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Midway town limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Midway town limits.
• Inspections — Building-code inspections inside Midway town limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwelling in the RA-1, RA-2, or RA-3 Rural Agricultural district inside Midway.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Midway 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.