Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Information

How does being in the ETJ affect my residential property? 

Property owners in the ETJ comply with Holly Springs zoning and permitting requirements. Prior to starting any construction or improvement projects on your property, contact the Town of Holly Springs to find out what permits, if any, are required. A permit is needed from the town for new additions, decks, porches, pools, storage sheds and other structures, which must comply with town zoning requirements.

All new home-based businesses and home occupations are subject to the town’s regulations and must be registered with the Town of Holly Springs. Other town land use and Town Code regulations may apply to your property, such as sign regulations, junk vehicles and debris. 

How does being in the ETJ affect businesses operated from my home or my home-based business?

After land is accepted into the Holly Springs ETJ from Wake County, residents have six months to register a current home-based business with the town free of charge. Any businesses that do not meet the town’s home occupation standards will be grandfathered if registered within the first six months, as long as documentation is provided that the business was legally licensed with Wake County. 

Information on Home Occupations can be found in the Town of Holly Springs Unified Development Ordinance. 

Can I install a manufactured (or mobile) home or on my property?

If your property is zoned Holly Springs R-30, yes, one home can be constructed on your property. The home may be stick built, modular or manufactured. Permits are required prior to the construction or installation of any structure. In addition, Town appearance and dimensional requirements for manufactured homes must be followed.

You cannot have an occupied recreational vehicle (RV) or camper on your property without obtaining approvals for a campground.

Can I keep chickens on my property?

If your property is a bona fide farm, you are not subject to zoning regulations and are allowed to have chickens and chicken coops on your property if they are part of the farm use and not for personal use only. If not, you are subject to the animal control regulations of Wake County regarding chickens. If county regulations allow you to have chickens and you are constructing a chicken coop, a permit for the coop is required by Holly Springs.

Can I keep farm and/or non-farm animals on my property?

If your property is a bona fide farm, then you are not subject to zoning regulations and are allowed to maintain farm animals on your property. All property owners are subject to the animal control regulations of Wake County regarding the established limits on the number of animals (i.e. dogs and cats) and types of animals that may be kept.

How does being in the ETJ affect bona fide farms?

Land being used for bona fide farm purposes only when accepted into the ETJ is exempt from town zoning and building requirements. This includes construction of barns, sheds and fences related solely to the farm use of the property. The exemption does not include the construction of accessory structures for personal use, construction or alterations to a residential home on the property, farmers markets, roadside stands selling agricultural products not grown on the farm, or smaller scale home-based occupations involving agricultural products sold to restaurants. If the land ceases to be used as a farm, it becomes subject to town zoning and building requirements.

How does being in the ETJ affect my non-residential property?

Property owners in the ETJ comply with Holly Springs zoning and permitting requirements instead of those of Wake County. Prior to starting any construction or improvement projects on your property, contact the Town of Holly Springs to find out what permits, if any, are required from the Building Code and Planning & Zoning departments. A permit is needed from the town for construction of new additions, fences, dumpsters, parking areas, signs and more.

How does being in the ETJ affect undeveloped property?

All future developments are subject to Town of Holly Springs zoning requirements and review procedures and are required to obtain a building permit from the Town of Holly Springs. Other town land use and code regulations may apply to your property as well, such as regulations regarding signs, junk vehicles and debris.

Can I timber my property located in the ETJ?

Property owners in the ETJ can timber their property by submitting a Timbering Plan to the Town for approval. If the property is timbered without Town approval or the timbering does not comply with the approved permit, the Town may deny issuing any building permit or development plan for up to three years.

Do property owners in the ETJ pay Holly Springs property taxes?

No.

Must property owners in the ETJ pay for water and sewer extensions?

Water and sewer services are not automatically provided to existing subdivisions or other properties when they are added to the ETJ. Property owners or developers wishing to connect with town water and sewer services must apply to be annexed into town limits and then pay for the extension. Call Holly Springs Utilities & Infrastructure at (919) 557-3938 for more information.

Do addresses change when properties become part of the ETJ?

No. The extension of ETJ does not modify mailing address or change zip codes