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Administrative Site Review (ASR) is the process for review of site plans to ensure all requirements of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) are met. ASRs are reviewed and approved administratively by City staff. City staff must approve an ASR before an applicant may submit for site and building permits. The UDO Section 10.2.8 defines three categories of site plans:
- Tier One
- Tier Two
- Tier Three
ASR review and approval is only required for Tier Two and Tier Three site plans.
Before You Start Your Project
- Review the Land Development Review Process to understand the major steps. It helps applicants navigate the development process, helping site reviews move faster.
- Check that the property is recorded with the Wake County Register of Deeds Office and has an assigned PIN (parcel identification number) and address. This is required.
Is the use allowed?
The use or uses you are proposing in your project must be allowed by the zoning district rules. You can find out the zoning district of your property using the City of Raleigh Zoning Map (iMaps). You can view the list of allowed uses for each zoning district in UDO Section 6.1.4. Explore the What Can I Build? webpage for additional explanation.
Site Plan Tier Verification
Before submitting an ASR application, it is important to understand which Site Plan Tier category your project belongs to. The Site Plan Tier shows which UDO rules apply to project. More information about Site Plan Tiers is in UDO Section 10.2.8.B.
If you need help determining your Site Plan Tier, submit a Tier Verification request online through the Permit and Development Portal. There is a fee for this service, which can be found in the Development Fee Guide.
Pre-application Discussion
A Sketch Plan Review (also referred to as scope review) can help identify major issues, applicable regulations, and site plan tier before you submit your ASR application. Sketch Plan Review is an optional, paid service giving applicants the chance to meet with City staff to discuss a proposed project.
Verify that the parcel(s) are properly recorded at the Wake County Register of Deeds Office with an assigned PIN (parcel identification number) and address.
Key Steps in the Process
- Submit your application through the Permit and Development Portal.
- The Customer Service Center routes the plans to staff, such as planning and development, transportation, stormwater, utilities, fire, urban forestry, and parks, for review. Staff review the plans using the UDO and other related manuals such as:
- Staff review comments are provided to the project contacts through the Permit and Development Portal. All project contacts must be registered in the portal to view the review comments and project details.
- You must respond to each review comment in writing and submit revised plans for additional review in the Permit and Development Portal.
- Once the ASR plans show compliance with all regulations, staff prepares the Administrative Approval letter (“AA letter”).
- Mailed notice may be required depending on the size and location of the project. See Mailed Notification Requirements below for more information.
- Staff sends you the AA letter containing conditions of approval and then you may proceed with the next steps in the Land Development Review Process.
Prepare Application Materials
All materials must be submitted through the Permit and Development Portal as PDFs.
Required:
- One PDF: Administrative Site Review Packet (application)
- One PDF: Administrative Site Review Plan
Sometimes required:
- Wake County School Form (if dwelling units are proposed)
Submittal Instructions
At this step, your application materials should be ready to assemble. Applications that do not meet these criteria below will not be accepted:
- PDFs only unless another file type is necessary as part of the submittal process. Other types include images, Excel, or CAD files.
- No .ZIP files.
- Each document must be its own file (for example application, plans, report). Ex. If a submittal requires 1) an application form, 2) a set of plans, and 3) a calculation report, the applicant should send these as three separate files.
- All sheets in the PDF must be the same size.
Administrative Site Review Plan Minor Modification
Changes to an approved Administrative Site Review (ASR) Plan, Associated Site Permit Review (SPR) Plan, or Standalone (Tier 1) SPR Plan must be evaluated by Staff before undergoing the intake process. Review the Site Plan Minor Modification webpage for guidance.
Sunset Extension
A sunset extension allows an approved land-use application to retain its existing entitlements beyond the initial five‑year expiration period. The development must continue to meet all current UDO requirements.
One sunset extension may be granted. An extension request must be made before the administrative site plan approval expires. Unbuilt portions of the ASR must comply with the current UDO regulations.
- Email the Sunset Extension Application to SiteReview@raleighnc.gov.
- Staff reviews the sunset extension application to determine if the ASR approval is eligible to be extended. If eligible, you will receive confirmation by email to proceed to step 3.
- Submit the Sunset Extension Application and ASR plans to SiteReview@raleignc.gov for review.
- Pay Sunset Extension and Plan Review Fees.
Paying Fees
- Pay online through the Permit and Development Portal.
- Pay in person at the Planning and Development Customer Service Center. (Cash, MasterCard, Visa, e-Check, or check payable to the City of Raleigh.)
- Check the Development Fee Guide for specific fees.
A fee calculator may be used to obtain an estimate of some building and trade permit fees.
Next Steps
After your ASR is approved and you have received the AA letter, apply for Site Permit Review.
Back to 8 Stages of Development.
