Town of Duck, North Carolina

Modified Stay At Home Order Extended
Executive Order 188, FAQs

  • Home
  • Newsroom
  • Events Calendar
Town of Duck, North Carolina
  • How Do I…
    • Learn about the Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan Update
    • Learn about Beach Information
    • Find Waste Collection Information
      • Report Missed Trash Collection
      • Get a New Trash or Recycling Can
      • Dispose of Bulk Waste
    • Get a Development Permit
    • View Events Schedule
    • Find the Park & Boardwalk
    • Find out About the Duck Jazz Festival
    • Learn about Employment Opportunities
    • Sign Up for the Weekly E-Newsletter
    • Find Council Information
      • Contact Town Officials/Staff
      • Learn about the 2027 Vision
      • View Council Agenda or Videos
      • View the Town Budget
    • View the Facility Use Policy
    • Learn About Wildlife in Duck
    • Volunteer for the Town
  • Residents
    • Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan Update
    • Communication/News
      • Recent News
      • Duck E-News Signup
      • “Duck Tales” Newsletter Archive
      • Regroup Emergency Notification
    • Community Development
      • Community Development Page
      • New Homeowner’s Guide
      • Inspector’s Corner
      • Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan
    • Flood & Storm Info
      • Flood Protection Information
      • Storm Info and Preparedness
    • Mid-Currituck Bridge
    • Municipal Information
      • Duck State Roads
      • Public Notices
      • Taxes
      • Town Facility Use
      • Town Ordinances
      • Voting
      • Water & Septic
      • Waste Disposal
    • More Beach to Love! Beach Nourishment Project
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Visitors
    • Important Things to Know
      • Important Things You Should Know
      • Trash & Recycling Schedule
    • Golf Carts in Duck
    • Our Beach
    • 2020 Town of Duck Brochure
    • Parks and Recreation
      • Parks and Recreation
      • Sound Access
      • Events Schedule
    • Pedestrian Safety
    • Maps
    • Getting Married in Duck
    • Duck Business Directory
    • Town of Duck History
  • Businesses
    • Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan Update
    • Apply for a Permit
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Business Special Events Permits
    • Community Development Department
    • Community Development Guidelines
    • Duck Merchants Association
    • Town Facility Use Policy
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events Calendar
    • Summer Events
    • Duck Jazz Festival
    • 4th of July Parade & Community Celebration
    • Special Events
    • Nature on the Boardwalk
    • Duck Yuletide Celebration
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Govt
    • Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan Update
    • Town Council
    • 2027 Vision
    • Administration
    • Boards & Committees
      • Planning Board
      • Board of Adjustment
      • Municipal Property
      • Community Improvement
    • Budget & Financial Information
    • Community Development
    • Parks and Recreation
    • Town Ordinances
    • Waste Disposal
    • Newsroom
      • Recent News
      • Duck E-News Signup
    • Public Safety
      • Duck Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Surf Rescue
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Employment Opportunities
  • OBX Alerts

Vegetation Management

Recognizing the aesthetic, environmental, ecological and economic benefits to our coastal community that native and well-adapted vegetation provides, the Town of Duck adopted amended ordinance 15-06 on June 3, 2015 to ensure a vegetative canopy in Duck now and into the future.

A summary of the ordinance is detailed below; for specific details, please refer to Town Code regulations regarding TREE AND VEGETATION PRESERVATION AND PLANTING, or call the Department of Community Development at (252) 255-1234.

Ordinance Highlights

  • New development requires planning for vegetation. A vegetation management plan showing what vegetation is to be retained on the lot and what is to be replanted must be provided prior to approval of a building permit or land disturbance permit. A minimum of fifteen percent (15 of net commercial lot area).
  • Protection measures must be in place during construction for vegetation that is to be retained on the site.
  • On developed lots, improvements to existing structures and changes to the lot such as expanding driveways or parking areas requires approval of a tree management plan and 15 on commercial lots).
  • Clear cutting of undeveloped lots or removal from vacant lots of any tree greater than 6” in diameter at breast height (d.b.h.), measured at 4.5 feet above the ground, is prohibited without an approved vegetation management plan and building permit.
  • Removal of any tree 24” or greater d.b.h. anywhere requires a tree removal permit in addition to a vegetation management plan

Additional Features of the Ordinance

Newly installed irrigation systems must be either connected to a well or, if using County water, be fitted with rain sensors.
Vegetation planting guidelines, in the form of an appendix, provide information on what types of plants meet the ordinance criteria for native or hardy vegetation (see https://www.townofduck.com/pzi/pzi.vegetationplantingguidelines.pdf). The ordinance provides for Town Council review of special exceptions in extraordinary circumstances.


Frequently Asked Questions

Does this regulation affect me if I already have a house built and my site is developed, but I want to take out a tree or some bushes? Homeowners with existing homes may remove trees (less than 24” diameter at breast height) or vegetation without permits and without submission of a vegetation management plan provided there is a minimum of 15 is not met, then removal of any trees or shrubs will trigger the requirement for a vegetation management plan and planting to the 15% threshold.

What if I don’t like trees or they don’t grow well on my lot? The ordinance is flexible. You may plant trees or bushes or any combination of trees and bushes to reach the vegetative canopy requirements. Two small canopy trees or ten mulched shrubs (3 gallon size) may be substituted for a large tree.

What if I want to plant something that isn’t on the Town’s list of acceptable vegetation? You may plant whatever you like on your lot. However, the trees and shrubs on the Town’s list of acceptable vegetation are either native or known to do well in our environment and only those trees will count toward the 15% minimum planting requirement. Additional cultivars or types of vegetation, other than those specifically listed as prohibited or undesirable, may be substituted and count toward the minimum requirement if approved by the Director of Community Development.

Do I need to hire a certified arborist or landscape architect to do a vegetation management plan? No. You’re encouraged to seek such professional assistance, but it is not required. A vegetation management plan may be prepared by a surveyor, engineer, builder, landscaper, or a property owner, particularly if it is a simple project. Contact the Department of Community Development before you begin planning for your project and we can help guide you on what will be required for your submission.

What if there is an emergency? When trees present an imminent danger or their removal is necessary to repair public or private utilities, reasonable action is authorized to eliminate the hazard.

Community Development Links

  • Community Development
  • Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan Update
  • Inspector’s Corner
  • Street Maps
  • Flood Protection Information
  • Hazard Mitigation Planning
  • Fee Schedule
  • Community Development FAQs
  • Online Permit Submissions
  • Development Permits & Forms
  • Community Development Guidelines
  • Land Use Plan
  • Vegetation Management
  • CAMA Information & Permits
  • Miscellaneous Permits
  • Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan
  • Just the Facts

Upcoming Meetings

Feb 03

Town Council Meeting

February 3 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall
Feb 17

Duck Town Council Retreat 2021

February 17 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Feb 18

Duck Town Council Retreat 2021

February 18 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Mar 03

Town Council Meeting

March 3 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall

View More…

Town of Duck

How Do I…

  • Contact the Town Officials/Staff
  • Dispose of Bulk Waste
  • Find the Parks & Boardwalk
  • Learn about Beach Information
  • Learn about the Comprehensive and CAMA Land Use Plan Update
  • Get a Development Permit
  • Get a New Trash or Recycling Can
  • Report a Missed Trash Collection
  • Sign up for the E-Newsletter
  • View Events Schedule
  • View Council Agenda or Videos
  • View Budget Information
  • View the Facility Use Policy
  • Learn more about the Duck Jazz Festival

TOWN OF DUCK

Office 1200 Duck Road
Mailing Address PO Box 8369, Duck, NC 27949
Phone (252) 255-1234
Fax (252) 255-1236

Email info@townofduck.com
Hours Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m

Quick Contact

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

©2021 Town of Duck, North Carolina – All rights reserved.
Web design by Outer Banks Media

Town of Duck, North Carolina
x
Top
    • Home
    • Newsroom
    • Events Calendar