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Zoning Map Amendments (Rezoning)

What is a Rezoning or Zoning Map Amendment?
It is an official change in the zoning district of a property, allowing different land uses (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) and density (number of dwelling units or size of buildings) requirements on that property.

Who can apply?
Rezonings are initiated by the property owner, Town Council, Planning Commission or the Town Manager.

When to apply?
Complete applications must be submitted at least 45 days before the Planning Commission meeting. See the Planning Commission schedule for meeting and application deadline dates.

How to apply for a Rezoning

  1. Complete the following form:

  2. Provide a narrative listing the reason for the rezoning request including the following criteria:

    • Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.
    • Compatibility with the present zoning and conforming uses of nearby property and with the character of the neighborhood. In other words, describe the existing zoning district and land uses of the surrounding property and how well suited the neighborhood will be to the proposed zoning and land uses of your property.
    • Suitability of the property affected by the amendment for uses permitted by the district that would be made applicable by the proposed amendment. In other words, describe how well all the proposed land uses allowed by the new zoning district are suited to your project.
    • Suitability of the property affected by the amendment for uses permited by the district applicable to the property at the time of the proposed amendment. In other words, describe your parcel and how well the existing land uses allowed by the old zoning district suited the parcel.
    • Marketability of the property affected by the amendment for uses permitted by the district applicable to the property at the time of the proposed amendment. In other words, describe how the existing zoning is prohibiting the parcel from selling.
    • Availability of sewer, water and stormwater facilities generally suitable and adequate for the proposed use.

  3. Schedule an application check-in meeting with the Community Development Department to submit application and discuss your project. (843)341-4757

Staff at Town Hall will assist with the following:

  • Check the application for completeness. Note: The application must be complete before it is accepted.
  • Assign a Project Manager to handle and process the application.
  • Contact the applicant to let you know the Public Hearing date.
  • Notify the public of the Planning Commission Public Hearing by:
    • placing an advertisement in the Island Packet newspaper; and,
    • placing a sign on the property to notify passersby.
  • Prepare a report listing Staff's recommendation to the Planning Commission.
  • Contact the applicant throughout the process to notify you of the progress.

The Applicant is responsible for and is required by law to...

1. Send a Notice of the proposed amendment to property owners within 350 feet of the property to be rezoned. Addresses are listed with the Beaufort County Tax Assessor's officeexternal link icon in Beaufort (843) 470-2522.

  • The notice must be mailed at least 30 days before the public hearing; and,
  • The notice must include the date, time and location of the public hearing. It is also recommended that details of the request be included.

2. Submit to the Community Development Department, atleast seven days before the public hearing, an affidavit of compliance stating that the notice to property owners has been sent via certified mail.

3. Notify appropriate property owners' associations(if applicable) and solicit any comments in writing to be sent to the Community Development Department and the applicant within 14 days of receipt of notification.

Planning Commission

  • The Planning Commission (PC) will review the application at the Public Hearing.
  • The Project Manager will present the report to the PC for their review.
  • Applicants are encouraged to speak before the PC in support of their request.
  • The PC will make a recommendation to Town Council (TC) for either approval or denial of the application. Please be aware, that this is only a recommendation. Town Council has final determination.

Town Council

  • After the Public Hearing, a TC committee will review the application, then forward to Town Council with recommendations for approval or denial.
  • Rezoning applications must be approved by passage of an ordinance. An ordinance must go through two readings of Town Council (at two separate meetings).
  • The Project Manager will notify the applicant of the TC meeting place, date and time.
  • Once Town Council has made their decision, the Project Manager will notify the applicant.

Required Materials

  • Application check-in meeting
  • Rezoning Application pdf icon
  • Narrative with review criteria
  • Boundary map 11" x 17" (signed and sealed by a registered surveyor)
  • Property owners' written consent
  • Review fee
  • Notices to property owners within 350 feet (after Town has set meeting date and time)
  • Affidavit of compliance confirming notices were sent
  • Solicit written comments from the property owners' association (if applicable)

Please refer to Chapter 3, Article XV of the LMOexternal link icon for more details.