Annexations and ETJ - Voluntary Citizen Petition

Petitions for annexation are accepted by the Raleigh Planning Department at any time. There are no fees required for submittal of an annexation petition. The annexation will become effective immediately upon adoption of the annexation ordinance at the scheduled public hearing unless notified otherwise.

Annexation ensures the orderly and efficient delivery of services to areas which are developed to urban densities. The city benefits in the form of additional revenues generated by an increased tax base, while the property owners experience additional municipal services. The property owner may experience an offset of increased taxes in the form of reductions in water and sewer rates, solid waste collection costs, and elimination of the Wake county tax levy for fire protection services. Local property taxes are tax deductible from federal income taxes, whereas fees for private services may not be. See bottom of this article for a comprehensive list of available services and links to more information for each.

• Preliminary Site Plan, final site plan or Preliminary Subdivision approval
• Infrastructure Construction Plans submitted
• A Rezoning Application submitted simultaneously, if outside of Raleigh's ETJ
• For sites not involving subdivision or site plan approvals, please contact Public Utilities at 919-857-4540 for utility availability or approvals needed to extend utilities to site

Complete and submit an Annexation Petition. A checklist is attached to the petition as a guide for what is required.

• A copy of deed showing ownership of property, if not yet updated on Wake County Property records or the Wake County Register of Deeds
• Proof of vested rights established according to G.S. 160A-385.1 or 153A-344.1, if applicable. Such documentation should include minutes of public hearing and subsequent approval documentation from the governing board granting such vested rights
• If property is outside Raleigh's ETJ, a Rezoning Application is required to be filed simultaneously and a copy submitted with the petition

Office: City of Raleigh
Department: City Planning
Location: Front Desk
Address: One Exchange Plaza, Suite 304, Raleigh, NC 27601
Adjacent to: 219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #: 919-996-2626
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Petition must be signed by all property owners having an interest in the property. Signatures should replicate those on the property deed and should include spouse signature when the property is jointly owned. If property owner is a corporation, include corporate seal on the petition signature page
• Make sure date of petition signature(s) is included
• Make sure "contiguous" or "non-contiguous" status of the petitioned area has been marked
• Make sure you have submitted written metes and bounds
• Make sure you have submitted a survey or plat showing property boundary calls and distances that correspond to written metes and bounds of the property to be annexed
• Include copy of approved Preliminary Site Plan or final site plan -or- include copy of Preliminary Subdivision approval plans or subdivision plat submitted for lot recording authorization
• City Code

• No fees are associated with the annexation petition submittal process
• Property owners will be subject to City property taxes upon annexation. If necessary, make arrangements with mortgage company to establish proper escrow accounts for meeting local tax liabilities
• If applicable, annual motor vehicle license fees (collected by the county), annual dog/cat tag fees, and local business license tax
• If applicable, monthly solid waste fees and stormwater fees
• Property is taxed on a fiscal year basis on July 1 and ends the following June 30. City tax rates are reset annually based upon the adopted budget
• Developers or property owners are responsible for additional utility extensions or installations
• Any applicable fee-in-lieu assessments for streets and sidewalks for street or sidewalk construction projects previously undertaken by the City for public right of way improvements, becomes due upon annexation into the city limits

It takes approximately 30 - 40 business days between annexation petition submittal and annexation ordinance approval for routine requests. Requests requiring notification of adjacent municipalities or coordination with rezoning process will generally take longer to process.

• Raleigh Police Department (emergency assistance, crime prevention, traffic enforcement, investigations, animal control, etc.)
• Fire Department (first emergency responder, medical and rescue assistance, fire code inspections, fire prevention education, etc.)
• Public Works (Street Maintenance - street resurfacing, sidewalk repair, pot hole repair, street cleaning, curb and gutter repair, storm drainage maintenance, etc.); (Transportation services - street names and signs, traffic signs and signals, pavement markings, CAT public transportation, etc.); (Street lighting - install and maintain street lighting)
• Solid Waste Services (collects: garbage, yard waste, recycling, bulky items, special loads, seasonal leaves, etc.)
• Stormwater Drainage (maintains storm drains, water quality monitoring, soil/erosion/illicit discharge investigation, etc.)
• Parks and Recreation (maintains - art centers, parks, lakes, greenways, community centers, etc.); (provides - leisure activities, summer camps, corporate event planning, aquatics, adult and senior activities, etc.)
• Public Utilities (provides water and sewer service to city residents as well as Garner, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, Wake Forest and Rolesville areas); (manages re-use water system as a non-potable water source); (maintains water and wastewater treatment plants); (supports operation centers that provide meter reading, maintenance, construction and warehouse functions)
• Other (services available from these departments - Planning, Community Services, Community Development, Public Affairs, etc.)