§ 160A-400.21. Definitions. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 160A‑400.21.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Part:

(1)        Comprehensive plan. – The comprehensive plan, land‑useplan, small area plans, neighborhood plans, transportation plan, capitalimprovement plan, official map, and any other plans regarding land use anddevelopment that have been officially adopted by the governing board.

(2)        Developer. – A person, including a governmental agency orredevelopment authority, who intends to undertake any development and who has alegal or equitable interest in the property to be developed.

(3)        Development. – The planning for or carrying out of abuilding activity, the making of a material change in the use or appearance ofany structure or property, or the dividing of land into two or more parcels. "Development",as designated in a law or development permit, includes the planning for and allother activity customarily associated with it unless otherwise specified. Whenappropriate to the context, "development" refers to the planning foror the act of developing or to the result of development. Reference to aspecific operation is not intended to mean that the operation or activity, whenpart of other operations or activities, is not development. Reference toparticular operations is not intended to limit the generality of this item.

(4)        Development permit. – A building permit, zoning permit,subdivision approval, special or conditional use permit, variance, or any otherofficial action of local government having the effect of permitting thedevelopment of property.

(5)        Governing body. – The city council of a municipality.

(6)        Land development regulations. – Ordinances and regulationsenacted by the appropriate governing body for the regulation of any aspect ofdevelopment and includes zoning, subdivision, or any other land developmentordinances.

(7)        Laws. – All ordinances, resolutions, regulations,comprehensive plans, land development regulations, policies, and rules adoptedby a local government affecting the development of property, and includes lawsgoverning permitted uses of the property, density, design, and improvements.

(8)        Local government. – Any municipality that exercisesregulatory authority over and grants development permits for land developmentor which provides public facilities.

(9)        Local planning board. – Any planning board establishedpursuant to G.S. 160A‑361.

(10)      Person. – An individual, corporation, business or land trust,estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint orcommon interest, State agency, or any legal entity.

(11)      Property. – All real property subject to land‑useregulation by a local government and includes any improvements or structurescustomarily regarded as a part of real property.

(12)      Public facilities. – Major capital improvements, including,but not limited to, transportation, sanitary sewer, solid waste, drainage,potable water, educational, parks and recreational, and health systems andfacilities. (2005‑426, s. 9(a).)