Currituck planning staff previews multiple UDO amendments on minor subdivisions, manufactured homes and parking

Planning staff told the Currituck County Planning Board on May 13 that several text amendments to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance are expected in the coming months.

Staff said the Board of Commissioners directed changes to allow more flexibility for minor subdivisions and family subdivisions in certain zoning districts. Under current rules, minor subdivisions in residential zoning districts must have county water and in the agriculture (AG) district the ordinance requires a minimum 3‑acre lot area for minor subdivisions unless county water is available. Staff said the board asked planners to consider allowing 40,000-square-foot lots in the AG district without county water as an option for minor subdivisions.

Staff also identified state legislative changes that require local ordinances to be updated: ordinances may not exclude manufactured homes based on the age of the unit; parking‑space dimensions must conform to a state limit (no larger than 9 by 20 feet as discussed by staff); definitions of “bona fide farm” and lot coverage rules have changed and will need ordinance edits. Staff said some of these interpretations are already being applied administratively but the UDO text must be amended to reflect current state law.

The staff overview was presented as a heads‑up; no formal action or vote was taken on these future amendments at the meeting. Staff said the changes and potential additional items will come before the planning board over the next few months for review and recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.