Most developments are required to go through a Subdivision or Site Plan Approval Process. The process is the same for both, but have different names due to the definition in the State Statutes, which is further explained in the dropdowns below. Developments that meet the definition of a Subdivision as well as all larger-scale developments on a single lot (i.e., multi-family developments or large-scale commercial projects) will be required to go through the (Subdivision or Site) Master Plan process, while Exempt Subdivisions are required to follow the Exempt Plat process.
Select from the drop-downs below for more information regarding what is considered a Subdivision or Exempt Subdivision, what the approval processes are, what is required for submittals, what types of related approvals are required, and information on review agencies.
Contact the Planning Department or Development Services division for additional inquiries.
Definition
Subdivisions, as defined in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and North Carolina General Statutes, include all divisions of a tract or parcel of land into 2 or more lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose of sale, or building development (whether immediate or future) and shall include all divisions of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets. The Town will only provide services to and accept streets from Subdivisions that conform to the UDO, Manual of Standards, Specifications, and Design (MSSD), all other applicable municipal, state, and federal requirements and the Final Plat has been approved and recorded with the Wake or Franklin County Register of Deeds.
Required Improvements
Developments that meet the definition of a Subdivision as defined above are required to provide improvements to the public infrastructure as denoted in the table below (also found in UDO Chapter 6).
Approval Process
All Subdivisions are required to follow the plan review process as outlined in Chapter 15 of the UDO for a Subdivision Master Plan and Subdivision Construction Plan. Prior to submitting a Master Plan project, applicants are required to meet with staff in a pre-application conference, which must be requested via GeoCivix.
Most Subdivision Master Plans are approved administratively by staff and do not require public hearings or a neighborhood meeting. If a project requires a rezoning, approval from the Board of Commissioners and review from Planning Board are required, as well as public hearings. Rezonings often include the Subdivision Master Plan as a condition of approval, but they are not required.
Definition
The North Carolina General Statutes define Exempt Subdivisions as the following:
- The combination or recombination of portions of previously subdivided and recorded lots where the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots meet or exceed the standards of of the UDO; or
- The division of land into parcels greater than ten (10) acres in size where no street right-of-way dedication is involved; or
- The public acquisition by purchase of strips of land for the widening or opening of streets or for public transportation corridors; or
- The division of a tract in single ownership whose entire area is no greater than two (2) acres into not more than three (3) lots, where no street right-of-way dedication is involved and where the resultant lots meet or exceed the standards of the UDO; or
- The division of a tract into parcels in accordance with the terms of a probated will or in accordance with interstate succession under Chapter 29 of the General Statutes.
Approval Process
Exempt Subdivisions are not required to provide infrastructure improvements and only require a plat to be submitted and approved by the Technical Review Committee (TRC). Pre-application conferences are optional for proposed Exempt Subdivisions, but may be recommended depending on the proposal.
Definition
A Site Master Plan provides a detailed two-dimensional drawing that illustrates all of the required site features and all related development calculations in sufficient detail to show compliance with the Wake Forest Unified Development Ordinance. Site Master Plans are required for developments that do not require the creation of new lots, some examples being: a commercial strip mall (excluding outparcels), a multi-family residential complex (apartments), or a single building on an existing lot of which the use is already permitted in the designated zoning.
Site Master Plans include existing conditions surveys which include tree surveys, general layout of proposed buildings, roads, and utilities, plan for mitigating stormwater runoff, among other required development items.
Approval Process
Most Site Master Plans are approved administratively by staff and do not require public hearings or a neighborhood meeting. If a project requires a rezoning, approval from the Board of Commissioners and review from Planning Board are required, as well as public hearings. Rezonings often include the Site Master Plan as a condition of approval, but they are not required.
Definition
After Subdivision or Site Master Plan approval, Construction Plans are the required next step in the development review process. Construction Plans constitute a full and complete set of engineered drawings necessary for final permitting and construction. Construction Plans must illustrate in appropriate detail 1) compliance of all site features with applicable UDO requirements, and 2) if a Master Plan was approved, conformity with the approved Master Plan.
While Master Plans outline the site layout and general conformity with the UDO, Subdivision or Site Construction Plans show a higher level of detail as to what specifically will be built on the site.
Approval Process
Construction Plans follow the Construction Plan review process as outlined in Chapter 15 of the UDO. For review timelines, see the Rolling Submittal Calendar. For the agencies and staff involved in Construction Plan review, see the "Agencies Involved" tab below.
Definition
The Town of Wake Forest has established supplementary building design standards for development to ensure that the physical characteristics of new development is compatible when considered within the context of the surrounding areas and to preserve the unique visual character and streetscapes of Wake Forest. These requirements strike a balance between creativity and innovation on one hand while avoiding obtrusive, incongruous structures on the other. Wake Forest strongly encourages architectural styles that build upon and promote the existing historic character of the town and supports the view that inspiring, well-maintained, and harmonious development is in the best economic development interests of all residents and businesses.
Architectural compatibility shall be achieved through techniques such as the repetition of roof lines, the use of similar proportions in building mass and outdoor spaces, similar relationships to the street, similar window and door patterns, and the use of building materials that have color, shades, and textures similar to those existing in the immediate area of the proposed development. These standards can be viewed in Chapter 5(opens in a new tab) of the Unified Development Ordinance.
Approval Process
Any application for new buildings and structures or changes to existing buildings and structures, other than single family detached, duplex, or townhome uses, will be reviewed by the Administrator for architectural design compliance.
Requirements for all applications can be found on our Planning Forms & Applications(opens in a new tab) page.
City of Raleigh Merger Information
The Town of Wake Forest and the City of Raleigh (COR)(opens in a new tab) merged water and sewer utility systems on July 1, 2005. As part of the plan review process, all master, construction, and final plats (if applicable) will be reviewed by the City of Raleigh in addition to the Town of Wake Forest. All new submittals should be prepared to be in conformance to City of Raleigh utility standards. Upon submittal, the Town of Wake Forest staff will properly distribute copies of plans for review and will forward comments from both municipalities at the same time. Contact the City of Raleigh for further information regarding utility standards and details at (919) 996-3245.
As of 2025, many plans are required to be submitted in both the Town of Wake Forest plan review portal as well as the City of Raleigh plan review portal. Please contact the City of Raleigh to inquire about plan review submittal requirements.
Technical Review Committee
The purpose of the Technical Review Committee (TRC), is to bring key players from each Town department and relevant agencies together to review development proposals concurrently to expedite the plan review process. The TRC internally meets weekly to discuss development proposals. The TRC also offers weekly meetings with applicants after the first review of master plans and construction plans to discuss outstanding comments. On subsequent reviews, TRC meetings are not offered but can be scheduled at the request of the applicant.
A Planning staff member serves as the Administrator for development projects and the TRC consists of the following additional members of Town Departments and relevant agencies:
All revisions to approved Subdivisions or Site Plans require review from the TRC through the Subdivision/Site Master Plan - Revisions or Construction Plan - Revisions workflow.