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Downtown Raleigh

Annexations


Citizen Initiated Petitions


Process Description:
City policy requires that annexation petitions be submitted by property owners that are seeking to connect property outside of the Raleigh City limits to City utilities. Petitions are required for all property approved or seeking approval for a development project utilizing City water and sewer. Existing developed property seeking to connect to City water and/or sewer must also petition for annexation consideration.  The petitioners and successive property owners are responsible for any utilities that must be extended to and within the annexed area. If annexing property outside Raleigh’s ETJ (extraterritorial jurisdiction), the Rezoning Process requires a Rezoning application (.doc) or (.pdf ) to be filed simultaneously and a copy submitted with the petition.  

Annexation petitions may be submitted at any time during the year. Upon submittal, staff will review application for completeness and notify applicant of any deficiencies. Sufficient petitions will be submitted to City Council with staff recommendations for proceeding with annexation consideration.  City Council will review staff recommendations and set a public hearing date on the petition request or defer the petition request from annexation processing.  After council action, City Clerk will notify property owners and contact persons listed on the petition about Council’s decision to forward the petition for public hearing or defer the petition.

If petition is deferred from annexation processing, you will receive a letter from the City Clerk notifying you of the deferral.  If petition is sent forward for public hearing, you will receive a letter from the City Clerk with the date and time of the public hearing.  At the public hearing, Council will approve or deny the petition. You are allowed to speak at the pubic hearings. If approved by Council, you will receive a letter from the City Clerk notifying you that your petition was approved by Council along with a copy of the ordinance with the effective date of the annexation and a resolution showing which Council District(s) the property has been assigned to.  Petition annexations are usually effective June 30th or December 31st of a calendar year.  In certain circumstances, petition annexations will be made effective off cycle.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.


Are there any prerequisites to this process?


How do I start the process?
Complete and submit an Annexation Petition (.doc) or (.pdf).  A checklist is attached to the petition as a guide for what is required.

What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package
  • Annexation Petition (.doc) or (.pdf), dated and signed by all owners of the property
  • Contiguous or Not Contiguous acknowledgement  
  • Vested rights declaration and supporting documentation, if applicable
  • Completion of Summary information section
  • Written metes and bounds of the property, preferably submitted electronically
  • Copy of the survey or plot plan  
  • Copy of subdivision plat being submitted for lot recordation approval or copy of preliminary or final site plan
  • City or County property map of the annexation area
  • Completion of standard payment contract section, if applicable
  • A copy of the Rezoning application, (.doc) or (.pdf ), if applicable

 

What additional documents may be needed?

  • 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 (.doc) or (.pdf) is required to be filed simultaneously and a copy submitted with the petition


Where can I find detailed information regarding annexations?

Annexation (.pdf)

Where do I submit my application?
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) 516-2626
Hours:              8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

What are the keys to success?

  • 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


What fees are involved and when do I pay them?
No fees are associated with the annexation petition submittal process; however, property owners will be subject to City property taxes and other applicable City fees upon annexation.

How long will this process take?
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.

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For More Information Contact:
Alfreda Bryant
Planner II
Planning Department
One Exchange Plaza
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2652