Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA):
In 1974, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA).
The basic goal of CAMA is to provide for the protection, preservation, orderly development, and management of coastal resources in the 20 counties along North Carolina’s coast.
This legislation established the CRC (Coastal Resources Commission) which is the governing body for CAMA. The CRC establishes rules that govern development in the 20 coastal counties.
The foundation of CAMA regulations are Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs). An AEC is an area of natural importance; it may be easily destroyed by erosion or flooding, or it may have environmental, social, economic or aesthetic value.
Generally, property is within an AEC if it is:
- In or on navigable waters;
- On marsh or coastal wetlands;
- Within 75 feet of the mean high-water line along an estuarine shoreline;
- Near the ocean beach;
- Near an inlet;
- Within 30 feet of the north high-water level of areas designated as inland fishing waters by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission; or
- Within 575 feet of the mean high-water line along an ORW (Outstanding Resource Waters) shoreline.
The Division of Coastal Management (DCM), under the authority of the CRC, is responsible for enforcing CAMA regulations as well as processing CAMA permits. Information about DCM and CAMA permits is located at: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/coastal-management/coastal-management-permits
CAMA Permit Types:
There are three types of CAMA development permits:
CAMA Major Permits: for activities that require other State or Federal permits for projects covering more than 20 acres or for construction covering more than 60,000 square feet. Applications for Major Permits are reviewed by 10 State and four Federal agencies before a decision is made. For more information, contact DCM -- 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City, NC 28557, 252-515-5400, 1-888-4RCOAST (1-888-472-6278)
CAMA General Permits: for routine projects that usually pose minimal threat to the environment. General Permits are issued only by DCM staff. For more information, contact DCM -- 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City, NC 28557, 252-515-5400, 1-888-4RCOAST (1-888-472-6278)
CAMA Minor Permits: for projects such as single-family residences that don’t require Major or General Permits. CAMA authorized local governments to act as the CAMA local permit-letting authority. The Town of Cape Carteret Board of Commissioners updated its CRC-approved Implementation and Enforcement Plan on 9 Sept 2024 enabling it to serve as CAMA Local Permit Officer (LPO) Minor Permit Program administrator.
For more information about the Town of Cape Carteret’s CAMA Minor Permit Program, contact the Town of Cape Carteret – 102 Dolphin St., Cape Carteret, NC 28584, 252-393-8483
CAMA Minor Permit Information:
A development project is probably in an AEC and will require a CAMA Minor Permit if it meets one or more of the following:
- In or on the waters of the state, on a marsh or wetland area;
- Within 75 feet of the normal high water line along an estuarine shoreline;
- Within 30 feet of the normal water level of areas designated as inland fishing waters by the NC Marine Fisheries Commission;
- Within 575 feet of the mean high water line along the shoreline of an Outstanding Resource Water (ORW), as designated by the Environmental Management Commission;
- Within about 300 feet of the ocean beach;
- Within about 1,000 feet of an inlet.
CAMA Minor Permit Application Guide:
CAMA Minor Permit Applications are required to:
- Include a site drawing that shows property dimensions and characteristics as well as the project location and description. The Permit Application form lists specific information that must appear on the site drawing. The Local Permit Officer can suggest how to prepare the drawing and where to get necessary information.
- Include a survey of the property.
- Provide a statement of property ownership.
- Provide a list of adjacent riparian (waterfront) property owners and their addresses.
- Adjacent property owners must be notified of your project either in person or by mail. Failure to notify adjacent property owners is grounds for revoking the permit.
- Provide a signed statement allowing the Local Permit Officer to enter the property.
- Pay the $100 processing fee.
CAMA Minor Permit Exemption Application Guide:
- CAMA Minor Permit Exemption Application Form
The CRC has defined certain types of minor maintenance and improvement work that do not require a CAMA permit. These include:
- 15A NCAC 07K.0103(a) – Maintenance and Repair of Existing Structures
- 15A NCAC 07K .0208 – Single Family Residences within the ORW Estuarine Shoreline AEC
- 15A NCAC 07K .0209(a) - Accessory Buildings
To be considered for an exemption, an exemption must be applied for, and an exemption certificate issued before work is performed (15A NCAC 07K).
What happens after a CAMA Minor Permit Application Is Received?
The application review begins after the Local Permit Officer (LPO) receives all the application materials. The LPO will visit the project site, determine if the project meets the CRC’s standards for development and determine if the project complies with the Town of Cape Carteret Land Use Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
CAMA requires the permit decision to be made within 25 days of receipt. However, the LPO may send the applicant a notice, sent by registered or certified mail, extending the review time for an additional 25 days.
The permit will be issued if the project complies with the CRC’s development stands, as well as the Town of Cape Carteret Land Use Plan and UDO. The applicant is responsible for meeting all requirements and conditions of the permit. Any conditions will be listed on the permit.
After the LPO makes a decision, the applicant will be sent an official CAMA permit decision by registered or certified mail. If the applicant is issued a permit, they must sign the form and return it to the LPO within 20 days. Typically, minor permits expire on December 31 of the third year following the year of permit issuance.