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Planning & Zoning

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1. How can I find out what my property is zoned?

There are three ways to find out what your property is zoned:

• Use the County property owner and land records website, Polaris. Enter your street address and on the right side of the page, click “layers”. Select the box labeled, “zoning-towns” and refresh the map. Your zoning district will be displayed on the map.
• Refer to the Land Development Map
• Come by the Planning Department and staff will be happy to assist you.
• Contact the Planning Department by email or call 704-896-2461.

2. Why do I need to get a building permit?

Obtaining a permit helps ensure that your project is safe and is up-to-code.
If you don't get a permit:

• You must disclose work was done on your home without a permit, when you sell your home.
• Your house will have more square footage than indicated on tax records and you will likely be assessed for back taxes (also an appraiser will deduct the market value for the illegal space you added, which will hurt you when selling your home).

3. Do I need a building permit for a shed?

Yes. If any one side of the shed is 12' or greater you will need to complete a Building Permit application. If the shed is less than 120 square feet, you will need to complete a Zoning Use Permit application. Both permits are Mecklenburg County forms but must have zoning approval by the Cornelius Planning Department before taking the permit to Mecklenburg County.

4. Do I need a permit to build a deck?

Yes. You must complete a Mecklenburg County Building Permit application and obtain zoning approval by the Cornelius Planning Department before Mecklenburg County will issue a permit.

5. How can I find out if a permit has been issued?

Mecklenburg County issues permits and performs inspections for the Town of Cornelius. You can find out what permits have been issued on a property on the county permit system.

6. What is a "watershed"?

The Land Development Code defines a watershed as the entire land area contributing surface drainage to a specific point. Most of Cornelius lies in either the Lake Norman Watershed or the Mountain Island Watershed. View the Watershed & Environmental Features Map to determine if your property lies in a watershed as additional restrictions may apply, such as a maximum impervious area.

7. What is impervious area?

Impervious area is the amount of surface area that water cannot penetrate. Examples of impervious surfaces include sidewalks, driveways, roofed areas (houses, porches, etc.), patios, pool decking, etc. Pollutants such as oil and other chemicals runoff from impervious areas directly into our creeks, streams and lakes which negatively impacts water quality.

8. What is a water quality buffer?

A water quality buffer is a naturally vegetated area adjacent to a water body to protect water quality. Find out more information about water quality buffers.

9. Who maintains my street?

Reference the Powell Bill Map to determine if your street is privately owned, town owned (municipal), or state owned. Please contact the Public Works Department at 704-895-5212 with any questions on street maintenance.

10. Who do I contact regarding high grass?

High grass is defined as grass in excess of 12". The Code Enforcement Officer will investigate your complaint upon completion of the online Code Complaint form.

11. How do I file a Code Enforcement complaint?

You may now file a complaint 24/7 by using the new online Request Tracker Form.

12. What does a yellow zoning sign mean?

Zoning signs are one way the Town lets you know what is going on in the area. To know what project a specific sign references, take note of the case number and public hearing date. You can then find information about the case on our website.

13. What are the submittal deadlines?

Conditional Zoning Applications

The conditional zoning (CZ) process typically takes a minimum of four (4) months and on average, six (6) months. Due to requirements for a community meeting, TIA evaluation, NCDOT review (when applicable), plan review, etc. the timing of the CZ process is complex. Upon submission of a complete application, staff will coordinate with the applicant(s) to establish a board review schedule. The CZ review process is detailed in Chapter 12 of the Land Development Code.

Variance Applications

Due to advertising requirements, variance applications must be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to the next regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting. 

14. A recent rain caused a lot of mud from a construction site to flow into the lake (or street). Who do I contact to report this issue?

Contact Mecklenburg County customer service at 311 (or 704-336-7600). Be sure to provide the address of the property causing the runoff.

15. Do I need approval to operate a business out of my home?

Yes. Certain conditions and restrictions apply to operating a business out of your home and a Home Occupation Permit is required.

16. Do I need a business license in Cornelius?

The Town of Cornelius does not require a separate business license. Please contact Mecklenburg County (704-336-7600) to determine what other licenses may be applicable to your business.

17. Where can I find floodplain information for homeowners insurance purposes?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides floodplain information on their website.

18. What methods of payment do you accept?

You may use Visa, Mastercard, check or cash.

19. What is LUESA and where is it located?

LUESA is the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency, which is located at 2145 Suttle Avenue in Charlotte. LUESA provides land development plan review and inspection, zoning, residential building permits and water quality inspections. More information on LUESA.

20. Why don't I receive mailed notices from the Town?

The most common reason people do not receive notices from the Town is due to an invalid mailing address. Addresses are assigned and managed by Mecklenburg County. The Town uses Mecklenburg County's address list to mail notices, so make sure you mailing address is correct. If your mailing address has changed, please change it as soon as possible with the Mecklenburg County Tax Assessor's Office.