Information for New and Existing Businesses

Constructing a New Commercial/Industrial Building

New, ground-up construction of a non-residential structure will first require technical review of a civil-engineered plan set by the Technical Review Committee (TRC).

Once TRC approval of the engineered plan set is obtained, the applicant must then submit for concurrent reviews by all applicable departments and agencies by using the following process:

Submit your completed Non-Residential Project Application Packet and Site Plan online using the CSS Online Portal.

If the subject property is served by a private septic system you will need to contact the Lee County Environmental Health Department immediately after submitting your packet through the portal. A separate submittal through Lee County Environmental Health is required.  Contact Lee County Environmental Health at 919-718-4641 or envhealth@leecountync.gov with questions or for more information.

Moving into a New Commercial Space

Zoning should be the first step, whether you're just starting out as an entrepreneur searching for the perfect location or an established company looking for a better space to expand your business. While business licenses are not required, zoning clearance for a business to occupy an existing structure is required. It's important to verify whether zoning regulations actually permit your business (your land use) at the location you're considering.

Please also note that moving to a new location may be considered a change of use for the structure, and therefore some site improvements (landscaping, paved parking, architectural modifications, etc.) may apply.

Moving into a new structure may also trigger interior renovations to comply with state building code and fire code standards. The first step is always the Zoning & Design Review division of the Department of Community Development, but business owners should also confer with Building Permitting/Inspections and the Fire Marshal to determine if any building modifications are required before you can safely occupy a structure.

Business owners are encouraged to check with Community Development staff before signing a lease or purchasing a property to determine if the subject property's zoning designation permits your land use and submit a Non-Residential Project Application Packet to allow various departments (Zoning, Building Inspections, the Fire Marshal) to review your commercial occupancy.

Submit your completed Non-Residential Project Application Packet, including a Site Plan and/or Floor Plan, online using the CSS Self-Service Portal.

Opening a New Restaurant

Before signing a lease for any building or purchasing any property to operate a restaurant, restauranteurs should contact the Zoning & Design Review division of the Department of Community Development to ensure that zoning standards permit a restaurant to operate at their intended location--and if any site improvements may apply. Restauranteurs should also confer with Building Permitting/Inspections and the Fire Marshal to determine if any building modifications are required before you can safely occupy a structure.

Restaurants and any other food services business must also obtain approval from Lee County Environmental Health to be able to prepare and sell food to the public.

ABC Permits

Retail businesses and restaurants that wish to serve alcohol (either on- or off-premises) are required by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC Board) to obtain all necessary ABC permits.  The process by which a business secures approval to serve alcoholic beverages does require review and approval by applicable local government's zoning staff. An ABC Permit Packet is available and must be submitted using the CSS Online Portal. Further information is available at the state's ABC Commission website.

Operating a Food Truck

Food trucks are permitted to operate anywhere within the City of Sanford that is zoned commercial or industrial, or in residential areas intended for community open space (such as a clubhouse or amenity area within a subdivision).  

Food trucks are also permitted to operate in municipal parks, but must formally request permission and operate on pre-scheduled days and times. Contact the City of Sanford Parks Department for further information.

More information about mobile food vendors (food trucks) can be found here.

Commercial Additions & Expansions

Proposed expansion of Gross Floor Area (GFA) of existing non-residential structures must first be reviewed by the Zoning & Design Review staff to determine if the project complies with all applicable land use and zoning standards of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). 

Additions to commercial structures are categorized as either a Low Impact, Moderate, or Substantial addition/expansion. Site improvements are triggered by each type of expansion, but vary depending on the scope of the proposed project. Low Impact and Moderate expansions can typically be reviewed at staff-level, while Substantial additions/expansions typically require Technical Review Committee (TRC) review and approval first before the project can proceed to zoning review and building permit submittals.

To expand or add to an existing commercial property, the applicant must then submit for concurrent reviews by all applicable departments and agencies by using the following process:

Submit your completed Non-Residential Project Application Packet and Site Plan online using the CSS Online Portal.

Expanding Existing Parking Lots

Business and property owners seeking to add more parking to an existing commercial or industrial site should submit a site plan and Zoning Clearance Permit Application to the Zoning & Design Review division of the Community Development Department.

Zoning staff will need to determine if the parking lot expansion triggers any addition site improvements, including:

  • parking lot landscaping
  • buffer landscaping (along shared property lines)
  • street yard landscaping (along public streets)

Zoning staff must also determine if the proposed parking lot expansion will comply with impervious surface standards for non-residential development.

Signs for Commercial & Industrial Projects

Before purchasing signage for your new or existing business, or replacing existing signage at your business, please contact the Community Development Department (zoning@sanfordnc.net or 919-718-4656) to determine if the sign(s) you wish to construct on your site or install on your building will require a permit.

For ground-mounted signs: an accurate and to-scale site plan showing the location of the sign and its distance from property lines will be required as part of your submittal. Accurate and to-scale renderings of the sign itself, illustrating the size and dimensions of the sign, will also be required as part of your submittal. If landscaping is required, that also needs to be included on the site plan.

For wall signs and canopy/awning signs: an accurate and to-scale rendering of the sign and the wall on which it will be mounted/adhered will be required as part of your submittal, including all relevant dimensions and measurements.

Sign permit applications can be completed and submitted online through the CSS Online Portal.

Sign Permit App