Frequently Asked Questions

 

Expand the tabs below to see answers to our Frequently Asked Questions! 

  • All building and trade permits are submitted online via the Wake County Permit Portal. You will first need to set up an account using an email address and password. After verifying your email address, you will be able to submit an application, obtain status updates, pay permit fees, and schedule inspections through the portal system. Please see the Permits and Inspections page for more information.
  • Zoning and land use applications are submitted via the Electronic Plan Review Portal. Please visit the Development Guide for additional information. 
  • Approved plans needing Town signatures (Mylars, final plats, agreements, etc.) can be dropped off at the Development Services Department, located on the second floor of Town Hall, at 950 Steeple Square Court. Town Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Development Services allows for submittals and pick ups during these times. 

Per the Knightdale Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), a sweepstakes center is permitted in the Manufacturing and Industrial (MI) zoning district if Town Council grants a Special Use Permit and if all the UDO requirements are met, including the additional use standards for sweepstake centers found in UDO Chapter 5. For a Special Use Permit to be considered before Town Council, a master plan application would have to be submitted, application fee paid and master plan submitted demonstrating compliance with all ordinance requirements. More information about the Special Use Permit process may be found in UDO Section 12.2.F.4 and Master Plan information may be found in UDO Section 12.3.F. However, if you decide to move forward, a sketch plan will be required to be submitted and reviewed prior to the Special Use Permit and Master Plan being submitted.

The Special Use Permit and Master Plan must be submitted in accordance with the current Submittal Schedule and the fees will be charged in accordance with the development fee schedule. This fee schedule does not include any building permit fees, if required. 

If you are interested in pursuing opening a Sweepstakes Center, please reach out to a Planner listed in the Staff contact tab. 

  • The Town will need to perform a Zoning Final/Certificate of Occupancy (CO) inspection after you have received all building and trade finals from Wake County Inspections. Once Wake County has signed off on building and trade finals, schedule a "zoning final" via the Wake County Permit Portal.
  • Please note a Certificate of Occupancy inspection is different than a Building Final. Once issued, the CO will be available in the Permit Portal in the "Attachments" section.
  • You may be able to obtain a copy of a previously issued Certificate of Occupancy through the Wake County Permit Portal. Or you can contact the Planning Technician listed in the Staff contact tab. 
  • See the Inspection page for more information. 

Yes! An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is allowed by-right in all residential zoning districts (Rural Transition, Rural Residential, General Residential, Urban Residential, Residential Mixed Use, and Neighborhood Mixed Use) on properties with an existing single-family dwelling. 
 
  • Types: Knightdale allows all forms of ADUs - freestanding, attached to the main house, in or above the garage, in the basement, or on an upper floor.
  • Construction: The ADU must be a complete, independent living facility equipped with a kitchen, provisions for sanitation and sleeping, and be constructed to North Carolina Residential Building Code standards. 
  • Number Allowed: Only one ADU is permitted per lot. 
  • Size: An ADU must be subordinate to the primary dwelling. It may not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet or the square footage of the primary dwelling, whichever is less. A detached ADU in an accessory structure cannot exceed two stories in height, or the height of the primary dwelling, whichever is less.
  • Parking: One additional parking space is required, unless the number of spaces for the primary dwelling and ADU is satisfied per UDO Ch. 7. Designated on-street parking can be utilized.
  • Location on the lot: Detached ADUs must be located in the side or rear yards.
  • Setbacks: Attached ADUs must follow the setbacks of the underlying zoning district. Detached ADUs must be at least five feet from side and rear property lines, unless the underlying zoning district is more restrictive (RT, RR1), and at least five feet from all other structures on the lot. 
  • Fees: All ADUs will require a building permit. Fees are charged in accordance with the Knightdale Fee Schedule and will vary depending on the type and size of the ADU. 
  • Utilities: ADUs can have their own water and sewer service or connect into the primary dwelling's services. Lots on private utilities (well and septic) require additional review and permits. Utility connections and addresses are discussed during the building permit process. 
  • Other considerations: If your neighborhood or property is part of a Homeowners Association (HOA), be sure to contact them to ask if ADUs are permissible and if there are any additional requirements or restrictions. 
  • More information can be found in UDO Ch. 5.10.D
 
Still have questions about ADUs? Contact a Planning Technician. 

Town of Knightdale Development Services staff perform the following inspections:

  • Zoning site/setback (Development Services)
  • Certificate of Occupancy (Development Services)

These inspections are scheduled via the Wake County Permit Portal. The Town's Planner/Code Enforcement Officer performs these inspections and can be reached at 919-217-2248.

Wake County Department of Planning, Development, and Inspections performs the following inspections on behalf of the Town:

  • electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections
  • structural and building inspections

You may schedule a building or mechanical/trade inspection through the Permit Portal or call 919-856-6222 for further assistance. 

See the Permits and Inspections page for additional information.

  • The Town of Knightdale does not require a permit to install a fence; however, Section 7.6 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regulates materials and heights.
  • Fences may not be located in any public easements (storm drainage, sewer, etc.) or sight distance triangles, and must be located on your property.
  • If a fence is being constructed on a lot with floodplain, a floodplain development permit is required.
  • If you have questions about fence placement within easements, please call 919-217-2250.
  • If you have questions regarding materials and height, please call 919-217-2244.

The Town of Knightdale does not require a permit to add and/or widen a single family residential driveway. However, there are several important regulations in the Town of Knightdale Unified Development Ordinance and the Town of Knightdale Standard Specifications and Details Manual that apply to driveways.

  • Only 1 driveway connection is permitted for single family residential lots that are less than 100' in width at the right-of-way. A maximum of 2 driveway connections are permitted for single family residential lots over 100' in width at the right-of-way.
  • Residential driveways must be no less than 12' wide and no more than 18' wide at the right-of-way.
  • Driveways must be set back at least 2' from the side property lines.
  • Driveways must be located as nearly perpendicular to the street right-of-way as possible.
  • Depending upon the location of the driveway on the site, driveway depth requirements may also be required.

If a driveway is being added to a NC DOT street, staff recommends contacting DOT to confirm if a driveway permit is required.

If you are interested in expanding an existing driveway or adding a second driveway access, please contact the Planner/Code Enforcement Officer listed in the Staff contact tab. 

Wake County iMAPS is a great resource for property information. Enter your street address under Search in the top right hand side of the page. Once the property is found, click on the Layers button on the right hand side of the screen. Turn various layers on or off depending on the information you are seeking. Jurisdictions and Zoning are very helpful layers. If you need help using iMAPS, click here. 

There are different types of businesses in North Carolina depending on the business structure. Companies that are operating as limited liability corporations, limited liability partnerships and other incorporated business, must file an “Articles of Incorporation” with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office. Sole proprietorships and basic partnerships that are filing a “Doing Business As” (DBA) must file their unique business name with the Wake County Register of Deeds.

Wake County Environmental Services is the authority over all well and septic systems, even within Knightdale's planning jurisdiction. Call 919-856-7400 or visit their website for additional information and guidance.