New Coastal Pier Construction Rules in Effect August 1
RALEIGH — A new set of pier construction rules, designed to prevent shoreline overcrowding in the 20 coastal counties, becomes effective Saturday, August 1, 1998.
The rules will strengthen permit review for new piers and will reduce the current maximum pier length. The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) approved the rules in June 1997 after two years of review and discussion. However, under state law, the new rules could not become effective until this year.
The new rules will :
Up the level of review for some piers. The rules change the type of permit required for some piers. Piers can be authorized by exemption, general permit or major permit; the type permit required is based on the size of the pier. Under the new rules, a pier approved by exemption can only be 100 feet long, while many piers approved by major permit could be up to 400 feet long.
Require property owners to prove a need for any pier longer than 200 feet. If an owner wants to build a longer pier, he or she would have to demonstrate that the additional length is necessary to reach deep water.
Limit the maximum pier length to one-fourth the width of a body of water. Current rules set the maximum length at one-third the water body’s width. Note: This change does not mean every pier can extend a quarter of the width of a body of water; property owners still must prove a need for any pier longer than 200 feet. Some property owners may be allowed to build piers longer than the one-fourth length, if adjacent piers are longer.
Limit the size of T-heads. Under the new rules, T-heads on many new piers must be smaller.
Allow setback waivers. Current rules allow you to build a pier closer than 15 feet to your neighbor’s property lines — if you get a written waiver from your neighbors. The new rules will retain this provision.
The new rules also include other changes, so property owners planning to build piers should obtain a copy as soon as possible. Copies are available from any Division of Coastal Management district office, or from Coastal Management’s Raleigh office at 919-733-2293. The pier rules also are available on the Coastal Management web site at http://dcm2.enr.state.nc.us. Go to the section marked rules, then click on the link.
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Date Posted: July 17
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