CRC Proposed Rules
The Coastal Resources Commission establishes policies for the N.C. Coastal Management Program and adopts rules for both CAMA and the N.C. Dredge and Fill Act. The commission designates areas of environmental concern, adopts rules and policies for coastal development within those areas, and certifies local land use plans.
Proposed rules information posted here and on DEQ Proposed Rules include the following information:
- The text of the proposed rule
- An explanation of the rule and why it is being proposed
- Any required federal certification
- Instructions on how and where to submit oral or written comments on the rule
- Any fiscal note that has been prepared for the proposed rule
Procedure for Subjecting a Proposed Rule to Legislative Review: If an objection is not resolved prior to the adoption of the rule, a person may also submit written objections to the Rules Review Commission. If the Rules Review Commission receives written and signed objections in accordance with G.S. 150B-21.3(b2) from 10 or more persons clearly requesting review by the legislature and the Rules Review Commission approves the rule, the rule will become effective as provided in G.S. 150B-21.3(b1). The Commission will receive written objections until 5 p.m. on the day following the day the Commission approves the rule. The Commission will receive those objections by mail, delivery service, hand delivery, or facsimile transmission. If you have any further questions concerning the submission of objections to the Commission, please call a Commission staff attorney at 919-431-3000.
The Coastal Resources Commission is amending this rule to protect the Area of Environmental Concern from incompatible development and loss of sand.
Fiscal Analysis - OSBM Approved
Public Hearing: April 30, 2025 4:00 p.m.
Dare County Government Center
954 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Manteo, 27954
Comment Period: April 1 - June 2, 2025
Written comments should be submitted to crcrulemaking@deq.nc.gov
15A NCAC 07H .0209(g) provides a definition of Urban Waterfronts, identifies the significance, and includes both management objectives and use standards for development occurring within Urban Waterfront areas. Amendments to 15A NCAC 07H .0209(g) provide additional language that allows the installation of “non-permanent enclosures” over new and existing decks and boardwalks in urban waterfronts and prohibits the installation of permanently attached HVAC and heating in these areas.
Public Comment Period: June 16 - August 15, 2025
Public Hearing: July 8, 2025 5:00 p.m.
NC Division of Coastal Management
400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City 28557
Submit comments to CRCrulemaking@deq.nc.gov
In the event that proposed development cannot meet the
oceanfront setback defined in 15A NCAC 07H .0306(a),
current Rule 15A NCAC 07H .0309(b) serves as an
exception for lots platted before June 1, 1979 that may allow
a structure no greater than 2,000 square feet to be
constructed if it can meet a minimum setback of 60 feet and
be sited no further oceanward than its landward-most
adjacent neighbor. The proposed amendments: remove the
reference to when a lot was platted, making this development
option available to eligible oceanfront property owners
regardless of when their lot was platted; increase the
structure size limit from 2,000 square feet to 2,500 square
feet; and remove the 1,000 square feet footprint condition.
Public Comment Period: June 16 - August 15, 2025
Public Hearing: July 8, 2025 5:00 p.m.
NC Division of Coastal Management
400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City 28557
Submit comments to CRCrulemaking@deq.nc.gov
Rules Review
N.C. Gen. Stat. §150B-21.3A, adopted in 2013, requires state agencies to review existing rules every 10 years. The Department of Environmental Quality's rules are located by subchapters in Title 15A of the NC Administrative Code. The Department's rules will be reviewed on a schedule established by the Rules Review Commission. The Coastal Resources Commission's rules are located within Title 15A under subchapter 07.
The Commission is required to evaluate each of the existing rules and make an initial determination from one of these two classifications:
- Necessary – Means any rule other than an unnecessary rule.
- Unnecessary – Means a rule that the agency determines to be obsolete, redundant, or otherwise not needed.
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, the Coastal Resources Commission is seeking public comment on the initial classifications of its existing rules. Public comment is defined by G.S. 150B-21.3A(a)(5) as written comments objecting to the rule, in whole or in part, or objecting to an agency's determination of the rule as necessary or unnecessary, received by an agency from any member of the public including an association or other organization representing the regulated community or other members of the public. Additionally, pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A(c)(2), in order for the Rules Review Commission to determine whether the public comment has merit, the public comment must address the specific substance of the rule and address any of the standards of Commission review, as set forth in G.S. 150B-21.9(a).
The comment period begins September 15, 2025, and ends on November 14, 2025.
View the Coastal Resources Commission's initial classification report
Please specify which rule citation (ex: 15A NCAC 07A .0101) your comment corresponds to.
To submit electronic comments, email crcrulemakingcomments@deq.nc.gov
Or mail written comments to:
NC Division of Coastal Management
Attn: Tancred Miller
400 Commerce Avenue
Morehead City, NC 28557
15A NCAC 07H .2302 contains the procedures for applying for and complying with a General Permit for the replacement of existing bridges and culverts in estuarine waters, public trust areas, and coastal wetlands. The Coastal Resources Commission is proposing to revise 7H .2302 to correct an inadvertent change that was made to the rule during the previous rule readoption process and to make minor updates to formatting and wording. The revisions are necessary to reinstate the two-year timeframe allowed for completion of a bridge/culvert replacement project under the General Permit.
Comment Period: October 1 - December 1, 2025
Public Hearing: October 20, 2025 5:00 p.m.
NC Division of Coastal Management, 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City, 28557
Written comments can be submitted the NC Division of Coastal Management, 400 Commerce Ave, Morehead City, NC 28557 or electronically at CRCrulemakingcomments@deq.nc.gov.
Rule Amendments to 15A NCAC 07H .2302