Planning

About Us

A division of the Development Services Department, the City Planning Division is responsible for managing growth and development within the City of Fayetteville and the planning area surrounding the corporate city limits to achieve a higher quality of life for our citizens.

One of the primary responsibilities of the City Planning Division is current planning - the review of zoning and development applications inside the Fayetteville city limits and planning area for compliance with the Fayetteville Unified Development Code. These applications include rezoning, large scale development, subdivision of land, and conditional use permits. Planning also reviews building permit requests, signage, outdoor lighting, and architectural design for compliance with the regulations established by the City Council.

Public Notice Process for Planning Items Going to Public Hearing

The Fayetteville City Council has adopted an ordinance to amend §157.01 Notifications and Public Hearings. All notifications will now include property owners and residents with separate addresses within 200' of the subject property boundary.

Open a tutorial that will help determine who gets notification and will create a list of those property owners and residents with separate addresses.
View a copy of the Ordinance enacted on September 5, 2019.

Applications

Please click on the Applications link in the left column of this page. Planning applications are also on the Development Services Department web page.

Planning Commission

The City Planning Division serves as support staff for the Fayetteville Planning Commission and Subdivision Committee. A copy of the full agenda packet for Planning Commission meetings will be posted on the website typically on the day before the meeting. Please view a copy of these agendas at your own convenience.

Neighborhood Planning

Established as a City Plan 2030 benchmark, City staff is charged with the responsibility of completing long-range neighborhood plans that utilize mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly concepts, as well as form-based codes, that guide future development sensitive to the needs of each neighborhood. To date, the City Council has adopted the following neighborhood master plans:

Downtown Master Plan
Walker Park Neighborhood Master Plan
Fayette Junction Master Plan
Wedington Corridor Plan

FAQs

Where and how is my property zoned?

The City's zoning map shows the zoning of each property inside the city limits. You can click on the link below to open the map, find your property, and then view the details.

What does the zoning of my property allow?

The zoning of a property indicates the uses permitted on your property, where buildings and other structures may be located, how large a building can be, and other pertinent land use regulations adopted by the city. The zoning regulations can be found in the city’s zoning ordinance by clicking on the following link.

Why is there a red public notice sign in my neighborhood?

The City of Fayetteville requires a red public notice sign to be posted on a property for which an issue is being considered by the Planning Commission or the Board of Adjustment. The public notice sign displays the project number, a brief description of the request, the assigned planner, and the time and date of the public hearing.

Specific information about these planning and development issues is available in the Planning office. Citizens are encouraged to participate at public hearings and to contact the Planning Division with any questions related to planning and development issues.

You can also view this map for items associated with a posted sign.

Where can I find a meeting agenda?

The City posts agendas and videos on the City Clerk page for most City meetings that have already occurred, including the Planning Commission and the City Council. Agendas for upcoming meetings can be found here. If you cannot find a specific meeting, please contact the Planning division for assistance. 575-8267

Do I need a sign permit?

Not all signs in Fayetteville require a sign permit, such as building construction signs, real estate signs, home occupation signs, memorial signs, subdivision signs, and public or special event signs; however, your sign may still need to be reviewed to ensure it is the correct size and located properly.

Please read the city’s Sign Ordinance under exemptions to determine if your sign needs a permit. If you need further assistance, please contact the Planning division.

Do I need a permit for a garage sale?

No, you do not need a permit for a garage sale. However, garage sales cannot be located in 1 location more than 4 times in a year and cannot exceed 3 consecutive days. Please review the regulations for more information about garage sale signs.

Can I put a shed in my backyard?

Sheds and other accessory structures (garages, carports, pool house, etc.) less than 50% of the size of the principal structure may be permitted in the backyard, but there are regulations and setbacks that must be met.

An accessory structure 10 feet or less in height must be 3 feet or more from a side property line and 5 feet from the rear property line. If the accessory structure is taller than 10 feet, the setback requirements of the zoning district must be met.

Please contact the Planning division to confirm that your structure will meet the required building setbacks. The Building Safety Division can determine if a building permit is necessary.

Does the City of Fayetteville require a business license?

Yes, the City of Fayetteville requires all businesses within city limits to be licensed. Follow the provided link for more information.

View All

Planning

New Development, Licensing, and Permitting System and Online Portal Now in Operation

About Us

Public Notice Process for Planning Items Going to Public Hearing

Applications

Planning Commission

Long Range Planning

Neighborhood Planning

Overlay and Special Districts

Maps

Contact Us

Planning Division

Hours

Quick Links

FAQs

Contact Us

Elected Officials

City Resources

Site Links