Oak Island, NC

The "Right-Of-Way" (ROW) is the term used to describe the strip of land owned by the Town, located streetside between the edge of the pavement and the start of private property.

This area is reserved for multiple public uses, including street widening, sidewalks, public utilities, stormwater drainage, and future maintenance or expansion, among others. Although owned by the Town and reserved for municipal use, certain personal items and uses are allowed.

ROW ITEMS & USES

Following a January 20, 2026 update approved by the Town Council, Town Ordinance 26-1 establishes uses within the Town Tight-Of-Way (ROW) based on distance from the edge of pavement up to the ROW limit (start of personal property):

• WITHIN 10 feet from the edge of pavement allows for items and uses such as (but not limited to):
  • Temporary Streetside Parking (where applicable) 
  • Driveway Connections
  • Mail / Newspaper Boxes
  • Ground Level Decorative Landscaping such as Mulch & Gravel
  • Vegetative landscaping installed prior to July 18, 2025
  • "Temporary Sporting Goods" such as basketball hoops, soccer goals, and similar items which can be moved by hand
• BEYOND 10 feet from the edge of pavement allows for the placement of non-permanent items & vegetative landscaping up to 3' high, such as (but not limited to):
  • Shrubs and Small Bushes
  • Non-Permanent Borders / Fencing
  • Non-Set Pavers, Border Stones, "no dig" edging 
  • Vegetative landscaping installed prior to July 18, 2025
• Unimproved ROW (street ends): Limited to driveway connections and Temporary Sporting Goods

In all areas, PERMANENT STRUCTURES are PROHIBITED! This includes, but is not limited to:

• Hardscape Landscaping above ground level, within 10 feet of the edge of pavement
• Permanently Installed Fencing (NOTE: For existing Retaining Walls necessary for structural integrity of the lot, property owners can request an ROW Encroachment Agreement as needed, which can be reviewed and issued by Town Staff)

IMPORTANT: Personal items in the ROW may be removed by the Town or approved contractors for infrastructure maintenance or improvements as needed. In the event of their removal, the Town is NOT responsible for replacing these items. While the Town makes every effort to properly notify residents of ROW work, advance notice may not always be available if an emergency response is needed.

USES CHART

Click the Tab below to view a chart which provides examples of common items and uses within ROW, separated into WITHIN 10ft and BEYOND 10ft categories.

VISUAL EXAMPLE

Click the tab below to view an example graphic, showing items and uses found in the WITHIN 10ft and BEYOND 10ft areas of a typical 60ft Right-Of-Way.

ROW WIDTHS

A Right-Of-Way Widths Map for the Town of Oak Island is available on the Mas & GIS Data page. To view and share this information, visit OakIslandNC.gov/MAPS and click on the "Right-Of-Way Widths" map linked on this page, or use the map embedded below.

ORDINANCE HISTORY

NOTICE: During the January 20, 2026 regular meeting, the Oak Island Town Council voted to amend Town Ordinance 26-1, which deals with construction and improvements to the Town Right-Of-Way. These updates are reflected in the information above on this page.

Click the tab below for more information on the history of this update to the Town Ordinance.

Contact the Department

For question or assistance with any of the information listed on this page, call 910-278-5024, or click the Division Contact Form link below: