How ETJ Affects Property Owners

1. What does ETJ (extra-territorial jurisdiction) mean?

The ETJ is an area outside of the Town limits that is likely to become part of the Town's limits within the next 10 years and is part of a municipal planning area. An area within and ETJ designation is subject to the specified Town's zoning and building regulations, not the county's, to enable the Town to better ensure that development patterns and associated infrastructure will allow the efficient provision of urban services as the Town grows into that area. According to the rules set by the State of North Carolina, towns greater than 10,000 population can request an ETJ up to 2 miles from their limits.  

2. How will my property be zoned?

According to the Town's zoning regulations, any land brought into the Town's ETJ is to be zoned R-30: Residential, which is a single-family/agricultural zoning designation. If you would want a different zoning designation, a request can be made by the property owner to the Town to request an alternate zoning designation. In order to request rezoning without our usual $500 fee, your property must currently be zoned other than Wake County R-30 or R-80. The requested zoning must be in compliance with current zoning and an application must be submitted to the Town of Holly Springs Department of Planning & Zoning by Jan. 9, 2006 at 4:30 p.m.

3. How will this affect my current residential property?

All new additions, decks, porches, fences, pools, storage sheds, etc. will be required to be in compliance with the Town's zoning requirements and will be required to obtain a building permit from the Town of Holly Springs, not Wake County. All new home-based businesses and home occupations will be subject to the Town's regulations and will be required to be registered with the Town. You will have 6 months (until June 17, 2006 ) to register a current business without charge. All current business that do not meet the Town's home occupation standards will be grandfathered if registered within the first six months and documentation is provided that your business was licensed with Wake County. 

4. How will this affect my current non-residential property?

All new additions, fences, dumpsters, parking areas, signs, etc. will be required to be in compliance with the Town's zoning requirements and will be required to obtain a building permit from the Town of Holly Springs, not Wake County. 

5. How will this affect my undeveloped property?

All future developments will be subject to the Town's zoning requirements and review procedures and will be required to obtain a building permit from the Town of Holly Springs, not Wake County.

6. Will I have to pay Holly Springs property taxes?

No one in Holly Springs' extra-territorial jurisdiction pays Town property taxes.

7. Will I have to pay for water and sewer extensions?

Water and sewer lines are not extended to existing subdivisions or other properties when they are included in the Town's ETJ. Typically, only if existing neighborhoods are annexed may utilities be provided, and even then, only if requested by a majority of property owners in the area where service is desired and in accordance with Town of Holly Springs, Water and Wastewater System Extension and Connection Policy. However, when requested, the Town of Holly Springs has provided utilities to existing neighborhoods and properties outside the Town limits where private wells or septic systems have failed.  

8. What if I don't want to be annexed?

The extension of ETJ does not annex your property. Annexation is an entirely different process from being included in the Town's ETJ and is guided by state law and Town policy. Two annexation approaches exist. Either a landowner voluntarily requests to be annexed or a town may involuntarily annex an area. Both are covered by extensive guidelines spelled out in North Carolina law. The Town currently is not planning on initiating an annexation of this area.

9. Will I have an opportunity to present my comments?

Public Information Sessions

The Town of Holly Springs Department of Planning & Zoning will be conducting two public information sessions to provide information on the ETJ expansion on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005 and Jan. 4, 2005 from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Holleman Meeting Room at the Town of Holly Springs Town Hall located at 128 South Main St. Any written comments received at the public information sessions will be forwarded by Town staff to the Town Council at the public hearing for consideration regarding the zoning of your property. These information sessions are going to be a “drop-in at any time” format. By dropping by, you will be able to meet with staff from the Department of Planning & Zoning and the Department of Building Code Enforcement to gain information on the proposed zoning of your property, what to do if you have a home-based business or office and when you will need to obtain building permits from the Town, and on the zoning districts and standards

Public Hearing

In addition, the Town of Holly Springs Town Council will be conducting a public hearing on the ETJ Extension Zoning Map designations on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006 at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers in the Town of Holly Springs Town Hall at the regularly scheduled Town Council meeting. All interested person(s) will be heard.

10. Who do I contact if I have questions or need additional information?

Jeff Jones, Planner II
(919) 557-3905
jeff.jones@hollyspringsnc.us

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us