WAKE FOREST, NC – The Town of Wake Forest began the process of rewriting its UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) in the summer of 2022. Following over two years of in-depth analysis, broad public engagement, and a thorough drafting process, the draft UDO was proposed for adoption in December 2024. That same month, state legislation was introduced and enacted that limited the ability of local governments, state-wide, to make certain zoning map and ordinance amendments. After careful evaluation of the law, the Town is moving forward with full-scale repeal of the current UDO and adoption of a new, comprehensively rewritten UDO rather than an amendment of the existing ordinance.
Since 2025, Town staff has been updating the draft UDO that was circulated in December 2024 to ensure it is consistent with changes in state and federal law. Staff also made minor revisions to address issues identified since the last draft was completed.
The 2026 Draft UDO is now available for review and comment at https://engagewakeforest.org/udo-update. Community members are encouraged to review the draft document before it moves forward for a public comment session and recommendation at the Planning Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026. Town officials expect the UDO to be brought forward for a public hearing and adoption by the Board of Commissioners in January 2027.
Following the UDO adoption, a new Zoning Map, which is the official map showing the boundaries of the UDO’s zoning districts in the Town’s jurisdiction, will be prepared and made available for public input before being presented for adoption. This change is necessary to ensure the Zoning Map aligns with the zoning districts in the new UDO.
Comments on the 2026 Draft UDO may be submitted using the "Share Your Feedback" comment form at https://engagewakeforest.org/udo-update.
In addition, the Planning Department will host Open Office Hours in the Wake Forest Town Hall Ground Floor Meeting Room, 301 S. Brooks St., on the following dates and times:
- Monday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7-9 a.m.
- Monday, Nov. 2, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
During Open Office Hours, Planning staff will be available to answer questions and receive input on the 2026 Draft UDO from community members who drop in during the scheduled times. No appointment is necessary, and there will be no formal presentation. Please note: Attendees are urged to access the Ground Floor Meeting Room via Town Hall’s Taylor Street entrance.
First adopted in 2013, along with the Manual of Specifications, Standards and Design (MSSD), the Wake Forest UDO combines into a single document the Town's zoning, subdivision, land use, grading, stormwater management, and historic preservation regulations. The UDO outlines the requirements for all development activity. Following the recent updates and adoptions of several comprehensive plans, including the 2022 Community Plan and 2021 Northeast Community Plan, the UDO and MSSD must be updated to effectively implement the policies and recommendations of those plans. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov/UDO or contact Senior Planner Tim Richards at trichards@wakeforestnc.gov.