Development Services for the Town of Oak Island is divided into several distinct, yet equally partnered divisions:
- Building Department: The Building Department works to regulate and administer the Town's zoning, development, and land use.
- CAMA Permitting: The CAMA Permitting office assists with review and submission of Major, Minor, and General permits through the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA). This program is intended to provide protection, preservation, orderly development, and management of North Carolina's coastal resources.
- Planning Department: The Planning Department oversees the implementation of building codes, inspections, and standards for constructed objects.
- Stormwater Management: The Stormwater Management Division’s goal is to understand, plan for, and respond to issues caused by development and other land uses.
Together, these divisions are responsible for ensuring that all development, including residential and nonresidential, complies with the State Building Codes, CAMA requirements, FEMA requirements, fire codes, zoning and all other local ordinances.
These responsibilities are delivered through the use of ordinances, plans, and regulations the Town has adopted throughout its development, such as: the Unified Development Ordinance, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and the Oak Island Pre-Project Vegetation Line Map.
Development Services provides the following services to the community:
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Review, approve, and issue building, CAMA, and zoning permits.
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Provide inspections of all permits issued including maintenance of all files associated with the permits and permitting process.
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Provide Code Enforcement to enforce the requirements of the local Zoning Ordinances and other codes for the Town.
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Review and make recommendations for citizens’ requests and/or text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.
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Manage the Damage Assessment Team (DAT), which serves to assess damage within the Town following a hurricane, or other emergency. The Department then collates the data, analyzes the information, and creates a report for the Town and Federal Government agencies.
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Operate the Community Rating Service for the Town, which ensures that the Town complies with federal requirements for Hurricane and Flood Protection in order for the property owners to receive discounts on their insurance rates.
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Provide periodical articles and brochures concerning hurricane preparedness, building requirements, flood damage, and zoning requirements for the community.
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Work with several Boards & Committees, as well as the Town Council.
