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For Developers & Design Professionals
Overall Process Guides
Developers and design professionals are encouraged to use step-by-step guides as reference resources to assist them through the development review process.
Pre-Application Meetings
If you are proposing any new construction, rezoning request, or major subdivision in Sanford, reach out to Community Development staff to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss submittal requirements, review timelines, and permitting processes.
Zoning Map Amendments (Rezonings)
Technical Review Committee
The Technical Review Committee (TRC) is responsible for collaborative review of all new commercial and industrial construction site plans, all new major subdivisions, and all conceptual site plans for projects that need to be placed on an agenda for either a Planning Board or Board of Adjustment. TRC approval of a civil engineered plan set is required for all new construction projects and major subdivisions.
Construction Drawing Review
Construction Drawing (CD) review is entirely separate from and required in addition to a technical review of a civil engineered plan set (TRC review). CD review is overseen by the Engineering Division of the Sanford Public Works Department.
Plan SanLee - Comprehensive Land Use Plan
The Plan SanLee is intended to be a blueprint for growth throughout Sanford, Broadway, and Lee County over the next decade or so. Developers seeking to rezone property in Lee County are encouraged to consult the Plan SanLee's interactive map to determine the comprehensive plan's recommended place type and its associated development details. Rezoning and redevelopment proposals should align with the comprehensive plan's recommendations as much as practical.
Annexation Petitions
North Carolina law allows a property owner (or owners) to voluntarily submit a petition to a city requesting annexation of their property within its corporate limits. This is typically done to receive City of Sanford municipal services, the most common situation being when a property owner wants to connect to the City of Sanford's public sewer system for a development project. Two kinds of areas can be annexed: a contiguous area and a satellite (non-contiguous) area.
More information about the annexation process.
Neighborhood Meetings
Conditional rezoning requests require a neighborhood meeting with property owners adjoining the subject parcel(s).
More information about neighborhood meetings can be found here.
More information about neighborhood meetings can be found here.
Approximate Development Timelines
The following review and approval timelines are approximations and do not take into consideration any delays with regard to site plan review and any necessary revisions, delays arising from required public hearings, and other unforeseen circumstances.
Subdivision Performance Securities
Developers have the option to provide sufficient security to ensure completion of all required public improvements for their approved preliminary subdivision plat. The security shall be reviewed and approved by the Department of Community Development and the Department of Public Works for adequacy and completeness.
New Streets Associated with Developments
Residential subdivisions within the City of Sanford must have all lots/units served by public streets. Developments with commercial or multifamily components must have frontage and direct access on public streets, but may have internal, privately-maintained roadways. All new streets, whether public or private, must have street names approved by Lee County GIS and street markers/signage approved and placed by the Transportation Division of the Sanford Public Works Department. It is the responsibility of the project manager or developer to formally request street names and request and pay for street markers.