Annexations

Before Submitting an Application

Annexation approval by the Raleigh City Council is required before final subdivision (SUB) and site plan approval (ASR), as well as the connection/extension of water and sewer line service, and the issuance of building permits. Submitting a petition for annexation initiates the process. (Note: This does not apply to residential properties in both the county and the ETJ, which will be served by/continue to be served by well and septic.)

Before submitting a petition for annexation, it is important to know:

• This applies to developed and undeveloped property. Property owners and successive property owners are responsible for the cost of extending utilities to the annexed area.

For single service connections from pre-existing residential buildings to water or sewer service (deferred annexation):

• Single service connection (water or sewer) applicants may qualify for a deferred annexation (only if there is an evidenced emergency need for connection).
• A deferred annexation does not result in a full annexation, so it does not require a public hearing. Future connection to a second utility will require the submittal of a new annexation petition.
  • For water-only connections due to a failing well, a letter and verification by a Professional Engineer stating that the well is not repairable, or documentation that the property is not eligible for a new well permit issued by Wake County.
  • Sewer-only connections are available only to preexisting structures where water is not available and require authorization and a contract with Raleigh Water. Annexation will be required once water becomes available. Sewer-only service is not available for vacant properties or new construction.

Single service connections without evidence of emergency need will be processed as a full annexation, requiring a public hearing, and will not be deferred.

• Per city policy (Resolution 2022-380), the City of Raleigh does not accept annexation petitions for property outside the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) (except in limited circumstances). The ETJ is an area outside the city limits where the City has jurisdiction over development regulations. The property will need to be rezoned to City zoning at the same time as annexation.
• For more information, watch our video about the differences between ETJ and Annexations.

City policy (Resolution 1993-208) requires owners of property outside the Raleigh city limits to submit an annexation petition before they can connect to City utilities. This applies to property that is already developed or proposed for development. The petitioners and successive property owners are responsible for the costs of utilities extended to and within the annexed area.  

To determine if your property is outside of Raleigh city limits, search the iMAPS website by your address with the Property, Planning Jurisdictions, and Corporate Limits layers activated.

Prepare Application Materials

The below application forms and supporting documents are required for new annexations:

1. Annexation Petition Application
   1. All owners of real property within the requested area of annexation must sign the petition. Signatures should match those on the property deed and should include the spouse’s signature if the property is jointly owned through marriage.
      1. If the owners of real property are a corporation, the authorized corporate representative must sign the petition. The representative should match the authorized representative registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office or the Secretary of State for which the corporation is registered. 
      2. Please submit a petition with either a digital signature or an original, wet signature. Digital signatures can be submitted via DocuSign or Adobe E-Signature. No other digital signature format is accepted. Wet signatures must be notarized before an annexation petition will be accepted.
2. All documents are shown on Submittal Checklist that is attached to the petition.
3. If the property is outside the Raleigh ETJ, a Rezoning Application must be filed simultaneously, and a copy must be submitted with the Annexation Petition.

Submittal Instructions

There are two ways to submit your annexation application and supporting documents:

1. In-Person:
   Downtown Raleigh
   One Exchange Plaza
   Suite 400
2. Via mail:
   City of Raleigh
   Planning and Development Department
   P.O. Box 590
   Raleigh NC, 27602 

Petition Review and Process

After we receive your petition, you can track the progress of your case via a registered account in the Permit and Development Portal. You can generally expect the following to occur:

1. City staff reviews the petition and will notify you of any questions.
2. If the petition is sufficient, the staff submits it to the City Council with recommendations for proceeding with annexation consideration. The initial City Council appearance will be to acknowledge the annexation petition and set the public hearing date.
3. At its second City Council appearance or public hearing, staff will provide a presentation on the proposed annexation. At the public hearing, the petitioner and other members of the public may speak. The council then approves or denies the annexation. (Deferred annexations do not go to public hearing and will appear only once on the Council consent agenda as they do not result in an annexation.)
4. The petitioner is notified of the Council’s decision. If the Council approves the annexation, the petitioner receives notification of the decision, a copy of the ordinance with the effective date of the annexation, and a resolution showing the Council District(s) that represent the property. 

Standard processing time is approximately 60 to 90 business days from receipt of a complete Annexation Petition to City Council’s decision of annexation. More time may be required for requests involving notification of other municipalities and/or rezoning. 

Paying Fees

An Annexation Fee is due at the time of submittal. Fees vary based on parcel size and/or scale of development request.

The Development Fee Guide provides a detailed list of specific development fees.

• It is recommended that fees be paid via the Permit Portal.
• All major credit cards and eCheck payments are accepted.
• If you have questions, please contact the Customer Service Center.

A  fee calculator may be used to obtain an estimate of some building and trade permit fees.

More fee information for Annexations:

• Property owners are subject to City property taxes upon annexation. Property is taxed on a fiscal year basis (July 1 to June 30). City tax rates are set annually.
• If applicable, you may be required to pay annual motor vehicle license fees (collected by the county).
• You may be charged monthly solid waste fees and stormwater fees.
• Property owners are responsible for utility extensions or installations. (Raleigh Water)
• Fee-in-lieu assessments for street or sidewalk construction projects previously undertaken by the City are due upon annexation. (Please check to see if these assessments apply to your property.)

Annexation Services

Read about the services you will receive upon annexation, if the Council approves the annexation.