Attention Coastal REALTORS®,
There are three issues currently being discussed in Raleigh that could significantly infringe on the private property rights of individuals living in the coastal communities of North Carolina. Some of you are aware of the proposed "Coastal Stormwater Rules" and the significant impact they could have on property owners in the 20 coastal counties. Likewise, the proposed Coastal Hazard Disclosure legislation would place increased burdens on property owners as would the proposed Coastal Setback Rules.
Coastal Stormwater Rules
The State Environmental Management Commission has proposed dramatic new regulations to control stormwater runoff in the coastal counties of North Carolina. These rules go far beyond the current stormwater restrictions already in effect in our coastal communities. Here are just a few of the more troubling provisions in the new rules:
1) The proposed coastal stormwater rules will potentially affect 20 counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Tyrell, and Washington.
2) The rules apply to ALL of the land within those counties - not just to oceanfront or waterfront properties.
3) The rules apply to residential and non-residential development. They apply to homes, mobile home lots, schools, hospitals, waterfront redevelopment projects, and all public facilities.
4) You must comply with the rules if you disturb 10,000 square feet of land (about ¼ acre), even if the permanent impervious surface is less than that.
5) No wetlands may be counted in the total site area. You must deduct the wetlands (whether they are regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers or by the state) from your total site area prior to calculating the area that can be developed.
6) You must maintain a 50 foot vegetated buffer (the rule does not specify from what). The existing coastal stormwater rule and Phase II requirements mandate a 30 foot setback.
NC Association of REALTORS® staff will continue to work in the regulatory and legislative arena to halt or rework the rules. But everybody should be aware of the current issues as they might be affecting all of us in the near future.
Sonja Babic with Prudential Clear Water Realty is you New Bern and North Carolina Real Estate Broker! Looking for waterfront, historic or golf? We have it all! Conveniently located and with so much to offer New Bern is a great place to work, play and retire!
Please contact me for more information’s or to request your FREE info pack!
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252-617-0861
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