TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
Goals and Objectives 2
Overview of Policies 5
SECTION ONE – DATA COLLECTION AND
DEMOGRAPHICS
Information Base 11
Current Conditions
Demographics
(a) Population 11
(b) Economy 14
(c) Impact Of Seasonal Population 14
Community Land Use Analysis 16
(a ) Individual Village Analysis 16
(b) Overall Community Analysis 22
( c) Significant Land Use Compatibility Issues 24
(d) Issues Associated With Unanticipated Development 25
Plans, Policies and Regulations 25
(a) Local 26
(b) State 26
(c) Federal 27
(d) Enforcement of Plans, Policies, and Regulations 27
(e) Evaluation of Existing Land Use Plan 28
Land Suitability
Physical Characteristics 29
(a) Natural Hazard Areas 30
(b) Manmade Hazard Areas 30
(c) Soil Characteristics 30
(d) Vegetation and Elevated Dunes 32
(e) Water Supply 32
Fragile Areas 33
Areas with Wildlife & Mineral Resources 34
Community Facilities and Services
Water 35
Wastewater 40
Transportation 40
Law Enforcement 43
Fire Protection 43
Public Schools 44
Parks and Recreation 48
Solid Waste 48
Anticipated Demand
Demographic Projections 49
Future Land Use Needs 50
SECTION TWO – POLICY SECTION
Natural Resources
Wetlands 54
Ocean Shoreline 56
Estuarine Waters/Shoreline 57
Public Trust Areas 58
Public Water Supply AECs 59
Groundwater Resources 60
Surface Water Quality 61
Shoreline Access 63
Channel Maintenance 63
Beach Nourishment 64
Development Impacts on Resources 65
Mineral Resources 66
Fisheries Resources 66
Maritime Forests 67
Commercial Forestry 68
Productive Agricultural Lands 68
Archaeological/Historic Resources 69
Wildlife Resources 69
Regulatory Issues
Topographic Conditions 70
Stormwater Management 71
Marinas 72
Floating Structures 72
Land Disturbing/Tree Removal 73
Manmade Hazards 74
Beach Driving/Off-road Vehicles 74
Federal and State Support 75
Growth and Development
Wastewater 75
Transportation 77
Solid Waste 79
Community Growth Patterns 79
Residential Development 80
Commercial Development 83
Re-development 84
Industrial Development 84
Energy Facilities 85
Tourism 86
Bikeways/Walkays/Greenways 87
Storm Hazard Mitigation/Reconstruction and Recovery
Storm Hazard Mitigation 87
Evacuation Plan 89
Post Disaster Reconstruction and Recovery 90
Public Participation 93
SECTION THREE—LAND CLASSIFICATION
Purpose and Relationship to Policies 95
Land Classification System 95
Interpreting the Map 100
SECTION FOUR – INTERGOVERMENTAL
COORDINATION 101
SECTION FIVE – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 102
APPENDICES
Appendix A – Analysis of 1994 Implementation Strategies
Appendix B -- Public Participation Support Documents
B-1 Survey Results
B-2 Results of Land Use Plan Workshops
B-3 Planning Board Policy Analysis Worksheets
Appendix C – Property Use Tables for Individual Villages
Appendix D – Synopsis of 2002 Policy and Implementation Strategies
Appendix E – Maps
Existing Use Maps
Storm Surge Map
Land Classification Map
Primary Nursery Area Map
Outstanding Resource Waters Map
LIST OF TABLES
Page Number
Table 1 Population Figures for Dare County 12
Table 2 Average Annual Growth Rate 12
Table 3 Households 12
Table 4 Age Breakdowns 13
Table 5 Racial Composition 13
Table 6 Housing Units and Occupancy 13
Table 7 Income Estimates 14
Table 8 Labor Force Estimates 14
Table 9 Services Impacted by Population Surge 15
Table 10 Classification of Soil Types for Septic
Tank Suitability 31
Table 11 Average Monthly Water Use in MGD in 2000 36
Table 12 Four Major Wholesale Purchasers for 2000 37
Table 13 Future Population and Water Demand 38
Table 14 Average Distribution MGD 39
Table 15 2000 Monthly Distributions 39
Table 16 Average Daily Traffic Counts for 2000 41
Table 17 School Enrollment 2001 44
Table 18 10-Year Student Population Projections 44
Table 19 10-Year School Facilities Plan 45
Table 20 Population 1970-2000 49
Table 21 Population Projections for Dare County 50
Table 22 Vacant Land Analysis 52
Table 23 Class SA Water in Dare County 62
Table 24 Oceanfront Shoreline by Jurisdiction 63
Table 25 Assessed Values by Tax Districts – January 2002 88
Table 26 Projected Evacuation Times 90
Table 27 Recovery and Re-entry Stages 92
LIST OF GRAPHS
Graph 1 Building Permits Issued in Unincorporated 22
Dare County 1995-2001
Graph 2 Building Permits Issued According to Geographic
Location of Unincorporated Dare County 1995-2001 23
Graph 3 Subdivisions Recorded in Unincorporated 24
Dare County 1995-2001
Graph 4 Subdivisions Lots Recorded in Unincorporated 24
Dare County 1995-2001
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Introduction
Located along the eastern seaboard and bordering 85 miles of the Atlantic Ocean, Dare County is
known as the “land of beginnings”. The nickname reflects Dare County’s historic role in the
founding of the New World. Sir Walter Raleigh helped establish the first English speaking
settlement in the New World on Roanoke Island in 1587. This settlement later disappeared due to
unknown circumstances and even today is the subject of speculation about the fate of the “Lost
Colony”.
In 1903, another historic first took place in Dare County, when the Wright Brothers launched the
beginning of powered flight from the blowing sands near Kitty Hawk. The 100-year
anniversary of this extraordinary feat will be celebrated in 2003.
Today, Dare County is recognized as one of the United States’ top vacation destinations thanks
to our abundance of natural resources and historic past.
Dare County’s Land Use Plan
Since 1974, when the North Carolina General Assembly ratified the Coastal Area Management
Act (CAMA), each of the local governments in the twenty county coastal region have been
developing and updating land use plans. As part of the twenty county coastal region, Dare
County has been developing land use plans since 1976. In addition to complying with the
CAMA regulation, the land use plan is a tool for use by local officials and citizens as a guide to
the future development of unincorporated Dare County. This edition, completed in 2003, seeks
to provide a set of policy guidelines to manage growth and development in unincorporated Dare
County over the next five years.
The 2002 Plan is divided into five sections. The first section contains demographic and
economic information for Dare County and other data that were collected and analyzed as part of
the update process. The second section addresses policies. It includes narrative discussions of
land use issues, the policies chosen by the County to address these issues, and an implementation
strategy or strategies that will be used to carry out the policies. The third section of the LUP
describes the land classification designations used in unincorporated Dare County. Land
classification maps, developed in conjunction with this update, reflect these designations and are
found in Appendix E. Section Four discusses intergovernmental cooperation for this plan.
Section Five contains information on public participation activities used during the update
process. Finally, several appendices provide supporting data for the update. Collectively,
these components combine to create a document that can be used by regulatory agencies, the
business community, and individual citizens to determine what can be expected about land use in
unincorporated Dare County for the next five years.
While the first section provides vital information and demographics about Dare County and its
infrastructure, the policy statements contained in the second section are the essential component
of the document. These policy statements reflect the intentions and goals of the Dare County
officials concerning our natural resources and their protection, resource production and
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management and the County’s attitudes toward growth and development of our area.
Accompanying these policy statements are implementation strategies that are recommended
actions to carry out the stated position of the policies. These policies have been re-stated at the
end of this executive summary for quick reference.
Section Three deals with the land classification system and associated maps. Each area of the
County is assigned a land classification based on patterns of development and available
infrastructure and/or utility services. The basis for these land classifications is provided by the
CAMA legislation with some adjustment offered by Dare County in the form of sub-classes.
Although, this executive summary provides a general overview of Dare County’s land use
policies, users are referred to Section Two for a more detailed discussion of the issues and the
selected policy statements. The land classification section and map should be consulted by
individuals applying for CAMA major permits.
Future of Dare
Since the adoption of the Coastal Area Management Act in 1974, the first Dare County Land Use
Plan in 1976, and all subsequent versions have featured several reoccurring themes. . These
themes include natural resource preservation; a focus on residential development as the preferred
principal land use; commercial development that reflects the historic architectural patterns found
in Dare County and the recognition of tourism’s role in the economy of Dare County.
As Dare County and its incorporated municipalities evolved over the period from 1976 to 2003,
the need for additional school facilities to meet the requirements of its growing student base has
emerged as a priority issue. Transportation has also emerged as a priority issue as seasonal
populations have exceeded 200,000 creating an urban-like atmosphere during the peak periods.
Greater expenditures on public safety such as law enforcement, emergency medical and fire
prevention are also needed during the months of seasonal population increases. These issues
combine to present Dare County with the unique challenge of facilitating the needs of its
seasonal populations while maintaining a high quality of life for its permanent residents. The
policies of this latest version of the land use plan reflect an effort by the Dare County Board of
Commissioners, the Dare County Planning Board, its Planning staff, and the citizens and non-residents
property owners of Dare County to address this challenge.
Goals and Objectives
The following have been identified as goals and objectives of the update. These items have
been written based on public input throughout the process and identified by Dare County as the
direction which our community should move over the course of the next 5-10 planning period.
General statements of the vision for Dare County are followed by more specific goals for
resource protection, resource production and management, and growth and development.
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General Vision Statements
1. Manage the growth and development in a manner that preserves the historical, cultural, and
natural resources that make Dare County a desirable place to live and visit.
2. Unincorporated Dare County should retain the rural characteristics typical of the entire
County before the incorporated municipalities experienced urban style growth. It is the goal
of Dare County to shape the growth of the remaining villages in unincorporated Dare County
in such a manner that they retain this rural character and avoid the need for urban-type
services like central wastewater collection and treatment. It is the desire of Dare County that
its unincorporated places would remain a disbursed collection of villages distinctly different
from the melded urbanization typical of the incorporated towns along the oceanfront.
3. Use existing patterns of village communities as “nodes” of activity and living space in a
manner that relates to the vast publicly owned lands and historical landmarks.
Resource Protection
1. Facilitate development at a rate that ensures sustainability of our important natural resources
especially ocean and estuarine water quality.
Resource Production and Management
1. Direct development to fit the natural conditions and landscape rather than modify the natural
conditions and landscape to accommodate development.
2. Resource production goals are minimal with 80% of the County’s land publicly owned and
tourism as the economic base of Dare County. Our resource production goals center on
maintaining water quality to ensure the viability of commercial fisheries, recreational fishing
and boating. These activities coupled with boat building interact with tourism to serve as the
foundation of the Dare County economy.
Growth and development
1. Maintain our coastal village atmosphere with an emphasis on residential development and
small locally owned commercial establishments.
2. The preferred pattern of residential development is detached low density homes that are
compatible in size and scale with existing patterns of development.
3. Expand options for housing to meet the diverse needs of the year-round and seasonal
employees.
4. Commercial development should reflect the traditional “coastal village” architecture found
throughout the Outer Banks.
5. Develop the foundation for an alternative means of transportation that connects the various
population nodes for pedestrians and bicycles and provides a means of movement other than
traditional reliance on automobiles.
6. Use land use planning and zoning techniques to abate the tendency of rapid growth
communities to lose their “sense of place” or be homogenized by growth. Such techniques
should include size limitations on bulk commercial structures, limited dwelling density and
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placement of multifamily structures, architectural standards to reflect traditional coastal
building design, lighting and landscaping standards to minimize visual blight and light
pollution and standards for the display of outdoor advertising and signage.
Noteworthy Changes
1. Planning Jurisdiction --Since the 1994 update of the LUP, the planning jurisdiction of
unincorporated Dare County has been impacted by two changes. In May 2002, the village
of Duck became the sixth municipal area of Dare County. As an incorporated town, Duck
will now be responsible for its own land use ordinances.
In October 2000, the community of Martins Point reverted back to the planning jurisdiction
of Dare County having previously been designated as an extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction
(ETJ) of the Town of Southern Shores. Martins Point is a platted subdivision with land uses
restricted to single-family residential structures and associated accessory uses. A small
portion of the commercial area of the Martins Point Subdivision that fronts along US 158
remains under ETJ designation of Southern Shores.
2. Off-Road Vehicles -- The 2003 Plan recognizes the long-standing tradition of beach driving
in Dare County and includes policy language that opposes efforts to impose additional
restrictions on beach driving activities. The 1994 policy recognized the need to properly
balance the use of off-road vehicles. The current policy clearly states the County’s support
of beach driving.
3. Wetland Mitigation – The 2003 policy on wetland mitigation supports the use of mitigation
for public purpose projects. It also reserves the right to approve private sector projects that
propose mitigation and addresses an identified substantial public need on a case by case
basis. The 1994 policy supported wetland mitigation for public purpose projects only after
all other means of avoiding or minimizing wetland losses had been exhausted. The strict
language of the 1994 policy has caused problems with some public purpose projects, such as
the new Virginia Dare Bridge. The 2003 policy will provide more flexibility and not
preclude projects that may be beneficial to Dare County and its citizens.
4. Water Quality – The 2003 LUP continues to recognize the importance of water quality, both
surface and groundwater, to Dare County and its key role in the natural and economic
development of our area. A new policy that encourages the need for basin-wide water
quality efforts in the inland portions of North Carolina has been added to the 2003 update.
5. Beach Nourishment -- Shoreline stabilization and management is a pervasive theme in the
long-term planning for the barrier island portions of Dare County. For the past decade,
Dare County has been the sponsor of a lengthy study that resulted in congressional
authorization of an extensive shoreline protection project using federal, state, and local funds.
If authorized an appropriation, this beach nourishment project will address shoreline
stabilization issues for the incorporated towns of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and portions of
Kitty Hawk. A similar study sponsored by the NC Department of Transportation is
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evaluating options for addressing shoreline movement and erosion on Hatteras Island
particularly as it pertains to NC 12. One endangered structure that was the subject of
considerable debate has been successfully resolved for at least the next decade. In 2000, the
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was relocated approximately 2,900 liner feet inland to ensure its
safety from storms and erosion.
6. Residential Development -- The 1987 version of the Dare County Land Use Plan, the policy
for community growth patterns stated that single- family detached residential development
was the preferred type of development. This policy was repeated in the 1994 update and has
been reaffirmed in this most recent update. The market in Dare County has adjusted to this
stated preference and resulted in the construction of hundreds of residential structures that are
designed and constructed solely for use as weekly seasonal rentals units. The most recent
trend has been toward large rental homes that are often incompatible with the scale of
existing residential structures thereby creating concerns about adequate parking and impacts
on infrastructure. As a result, in August 2002 the Dare County Board of Commissioners
adopted standards for the Zoning Ordinance that link the lot size to the number of permitted
bedrooms and wastewater capacity. The LUP narrative discussion on residential structures
recognizes the diverse needs of the seasonal and year-round population that has contributed
to a shortage of moderate priced residences for year-round residents and seasonal workers.
Overview of Policies
This Land Use Plan provides 74 policies in 39 categories. A reference to the specific policy
numbers follows the category name. The overview is intended to convey an understanding of the
approach Dare County has taken to development of these policies. However, to fully grasp the
decisions and issues that lead to these policy statements, readers are strongly advised to read the
narratives in Section2 of this Land Use Plan.
1. Wetlands (Policies 1, 2, 3) - Generally, Dare County relies on federal and state regulatory
programs for protection of wetlands. Wetland mitigation is acceptable for public purpose
projects, but a private sector project that meets a public need could be approved.
2. Ocean Shoreline (Policy 4) - Dare County primarily relies on CAMA regulations for
protection of the ocean shoreline and ocean hazard areas. It also meets the requirements to
participate in the National Flood Insurance Program
3. Estuarine Waters / Shoreline (Policies 5, 6, 7) - Dare County relies on CAMA designation
of Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) and the CAMA permit program to manage
estuarine shoreline development. In addition, the County supports the use of estuarine
bulkheads, but will encourage the use of methods such as offshore breakwaters, slopes, rip-rap
and voluntary setbacks greater than 30 feet where such methods are good alternatives.
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4. Public Trust Areas (Policies 8, 9) - Dare County supports the public's right to access and
use public trust areas and waters and will develop local management strategies to manage the
use of these areas by competing recreational users as needed.
5. Public Water Supply AECs (Policy 10) - Development in any public water supply AEC
will be managed to protect the long-term viability of the groundwater resources in
accordance with CAMA standards for public water wellfield AECs and the special provisions
of SED-1 zoning for the Buxton Woods maritime forest. .
6. Groundwater Resources (Policy 11) – The protection of groundwater is identified as a high
priority in Dare County. Dare County will continue efforts to provide central water to all
parts of unincorporated Dare County. The County anticipates development of a permitting
program for private wells used for drinking water
7. Surface Water Quality (Policies 12, 13)- The protection of surface water quality is a high
priority of Dare County and is reflected in the policies on surface water quality. Dare County
supports efforts by local, state and federal agencies to preserve, protect and improve surface
water quality; it also encourages the management of water quality using a basin-wide
approach that includes inland areas beyond the reach of CAMA regulations.
8. Shoreline Access (Policy 14)- Dare County supports North Carolina's shoreline access
policies and recognizes the importance of shoreline access for our local tourist economy.
Thus, it will continue to seek opportunities to expand access and to acquire federal funding
for beach nourishment in order to maintain sandy beaches in public ownership.
9. Channel Maintenance (Policies 15, 16) - Dare County plans to maintain all existing
navigable channels and will continue to seek authorization and federal funding for jetties to
stabilize Oregon Inlet. The County will secure CAMA permits for non-federal projects where
they are needed.
10. Beach Nourishment (Policy 17) - As noted under "Shoreline Access" above, Dare County
believes in public access to the shoreline. Thus it supports the beach nourishment approach to
maintaining the ocean beaches of Dare County and to protecting route NC 12 where it is
vulnerable to ocean over-wash. Dare County will continue to be the non-federal sponsor of
the Dare Beaches Hurricane Protection Plan.
11. Development Impacts on Resources (Policy 18) - All development proposals will be
designed and constructed to minimize detrimental impacts on surface water quality,
groundwater quality, and air quality. Structures should also be designed to fit the natural
topographic conditions and vegetation versus modifications to natural conditions to
accommodate structures.
12. Mineral Resources (Policy 19) - Dare County will evaluate the need for local regulations
for those mining activities that are not subject to permit authorization by the State of North
Carolina.
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13. Fisheries Resources (Policies 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) - Dare County will continue to support
efforts to restore and protect the coastal ecosystems that are essential to productive
commercial and recreational fisheries. This includes designated primary nursery areas and
other areas that serve as habitat for our fisheries. The County will rely on the state and
federal agencies which have the authority to manage these resources and will implement and
enforce CAMA 30-foot buffer rules and other setbacks to protect surface water quality
needed for productive fisheries.
14. Maritime Forests (Policy 25)- Dare County provides special protection to the Buxton
Woods maritime forest through limitations on development in a local SED-1 zoning
ordinance. Currently, there are no plans for protection of other maritime forest remnants on
Roanoke Island or in Colington except for modest development limitations provided by Dare
County Zoning ordinances in those areas.
15. Commercial Forestry (Policy 26)- Dare County supports commercial forestry projects that
are done in accordance with the standards and recommendations of the U. S. Forest Service
and the best management practice program of the State of North Carolina.
16. Productive Agricultural Lands (Policies 27, 28)- Dare County supports crop agriculture on
certain portions of Mainland Dare County, advocates voluntary use of the State of North
Carolina's best management practices for farm management, and opposes wholesale or
industrial livestock operations anywhere in the County.
17. Archaeological/Historic Resources (Policy 29)- Dare County supports the protection of
structures, lands and artifacts that have been identified by the NC Department of Cultural
Resources as archeologically or historically significant. If possible, the County will
undertake a comprehensive inventory of resources not already in public ownership for use in
planning for their possible future protection.
18. Wildlife Resources (Policy 30) - Extensive wildlife preserve areas are located in Dare
County and managed by federal and state agencies. Dare County advocates public access to
these areas for managed wildlife harvesting and observation.
19. Topographic Conditions (Policies 31, 32)- Because much of Dare County is susceptible to
flooding during hurricanes and other serious storms, the County supports the administration
and enforcement of all applicable floodplain management regulations and the National Flood
Insurance Program. In addition, Dare County will rely on CAMA standards and regulations
for development in CAMA designated AECs.
20. Stormwater Management (Policies 33, 34) - Dare County recognizes that stormwater
runoff needs to be managed to protect the quality of public trust waters and to address public
health and safety issues associated with ponding of stormwater on roadways and in ditches.
The County will develop a stormwater management ordinance to address projects that are not
subject to State regulation. It will also consider regulations address the use of fill material on
lots to alter the natural ground elevation.
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21. Marinas (Policy 35) - Dare County supports the development of marinas to provide boating
access to the area's water bodies, insofar as marina development complies with all state and
federal guidelines and is consistent with the land use classifications established in this
document.
22. Floating Structures (Policy 36)- Dare County opposes mooring of floating homes or other
floating structures anywhere in the public trust waters surrounding the County and is
contemplating local regulations to enable a prohibition of them.
23. Land Disturbing/Tree Removal Activities (Policy 37) - Dare County relies on the best
management practices of the NC Forest Service for tree removal and the Dare County Zoning
Ordinance for sand dune protection. The County will consider regulations to address the use
of fill material on lots to alter the natural ground elevation.
24. Manmade Hazards (Policies 38, 39)- The primary manmade hazards in Dare County are the
Dare County Regional Airport and the federally owned bombing range on Mainland Dare
County. Dare County does not support expansion of the regional airport except to address
safety issues. It would consider expansion of the bombing range after weighing the
importance to the Nations' defense against the impact on local communities and the Dare
County economy.
25. Beach Driving/Off-road Vehicles (Policy 40) - Dare County supports access to the beaches
of Hatteras Island by four-wheel drive vehicle. Dare County does not support efforts to
prohibit driving on federally managed areas and will continue to monitor activities that may
result in additional closing or restrictions.
26. Federal and State Support (Policy 41) - In general, Dare County will review new or
expanded Federal and State regulatory programs on a case by case basis to determine their
benefits and impacts on the County and its economy. The County reserves the right to
support, oppose, review and comment on all such proposed programs. Dare County
advocates that well advertised informational meetings and public hearings should be
conducted before the adoption of any new or expanded regulatory programs that impact the
County.
27. Wastewater (Policies 42,43,44,45) - Dare County advocates the use of on-site septic tank-drainfield
systems as the primary method of wastewater treatment where natural soil
conditions permit their use in unincorporated Dare County. Non-traditional methods of
wastewater treatment, including package treatment plants, may be allowed in areas where
natural soil conditions do not support traditional septic systems. However, the use of these
alternative systems will not be used solely to accommodate larger structures or higher
dwelling density, nor will these systems be permitted to have excess capacity, unless the area
proposed for development is specifically zoned for such uses or capacity. Similarly, if central
wastewater treatment is needed to remedy water quality problems created by outdated septic
systems, the introduction of such a system will not be used to change minimum lot size
standards. Dare County plans to create a wastewater treatment commission to address
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wastewater treatment issues and monitor impacts of various wastewater systems on our
ground and surface waters.
28. Transportation (Policies 46,47,48,49) - Dare County advocates intergovernmental
cooperation with its municipalities and neighboring counties to study and address the
County's transportation needs. It will also continue to work with NC DOT and the Task
Force on NC 12 for Hatteras Island to develop and support long-term strategies for
stabilization of the corridor, including a replacement for Bonner bridge, elevation of portions
of NC 12 and beach nourishment. Dare County will not assume responsibility for
maintenance of private roads; the county advocates that all future private roads be built to
state standards, if at all possible. The County also will investigate an assessment program for
maintenance and repair of private roads.
29. Solid Waste (Policy 50) - Dare County participates in a regional solid waste authority and
operates voluntary recycling efforts.
30. Community Growth Patterns (Policies 51, 52, 53, 54) - In order to protect the unique rural
characteristics of the villages in unincorporated Dare County, use-specific zoning maps will
be developed for those areas, which are currently not zoned or minimally zoned. Private
developers will also be encouraged to incorporate features in their designs that harmonize
with the village where the development will be located. The County will provide public
services, such as central water, to meet needs, but not to promote development in these areas.
If needed, the County reserves the right to acquire additional private property to meet public
needs. Finally, the County will contract with a planning consultant for an updated Carrying
Capacity Study for Dare County. This will enable the County to better assess the impacts of
future growth and resources necessary to manage it.
31. Residential Development (Policies 55, 56) - Detached single family homes are the preferred
type of housing in year round residential areas of unincorporated Dare County. Dare
County recognizes the diverse housing need of the community and will work with the private
sector to expand the housing opportunities for year-round residents. Regional efforts to
address the housing needs will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Possible amendments to
the Zoning Ordinance to delete the use of “single family” will be considered to recognize the
varying patterns of residential development, to address the use of residential structures for
home occupations, and to provide more stringent nuisance regulations.
32. Commercial Development (Policies 57, 58, 59) - Dare County encourages the development
of locally owned businesses in unincorporated Dare County. The County will address
locations for commercial development as it pursues continued zoning of the unincorporated
area. It will also encourage large franchise operations to moderate their building plans to
reflect the character of the villages where they plan to locate.
33. Redevelopment (Policy 60) - When areas of Dare County are redeveloped, new
development must meet current standards. The County will encourage the re-use of historical
structures versus destruction since these structures provide links to our past.
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34. Industrial Development (Policies 61, 62) - Dare County encourages industrial development
if it is environmentally compatible with the challenges associated with maintaining high
quality surface and ground waters. It especially supports the traditional commercial fishing,
boat building and construction industries. Locations for industrial development will be
identified during the zoning process for the rest of unincorporated Dare County.
35. Energy Facilities (Policy 63) - Dare County is opposed to development of any aspect of the
petrochemical industry within its jurisdictional lands or waters. This includes both off-shore
and on-shore facilities and activities associated with the exploration for or production of
petrochemical products of any kind. Dare County does support research and development of
non-fossil fuel alternatives for energy production.
36. Tourism (Policies 64, 65, 66) - Tourism is vitally important to the economy of Dare County.
The County invites visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, its cultural resources and
the recreational opportunities afforded by the pristine environment. Dare County's success as
a tourist destination has placed increasing demands on the County's infrastructure. Dare
County will use tourist-generated revenues to address the needs and impacts of our seasonal
tourist population.
37. Bikeways/Walkways/Greenways (Policy 67) - Dare County supports the continued
development and construction of sidewalks, bike paths, greenways and other similar
pathways as the means for safe enjoyment of the natural and cultural resources of the area.
The County also recognizes their value as alternative transportation routes.
38. Storm Hazard Mitigation, Evacuation, and Post-Disaster Recovery (Policies 68,
69,70,71,72,73) - Dare County is especially vulnerable to hurricanes, tropical storms and
other serious weather events because of its location next to the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, the
County has developed and is committed to maintaining processes and procedures that
recognize the need to deal with the aftermath of such disasters. These processes and
procedures include: zoning regulations and construction standards which mitigate the effects
of major storm events; a full time emergency management department and emergency
operations centers; policies and procedures for recovery and reconstruction after a major
disaster; restoration of highway and utility infrastructure as the highest priority, followed by
businesses and homes that serve the year round population of the County; and, use of
whatever authority is necessary to provide for an orderly recovery while also mitigating
against similar future disasters.
39. Public Participation (Policy 74) - Dare County supports active public participation by its
citizens in all County planning activities, including its land use planning process, ongoing
zoning activities, long range planning initiatives and the County Planning Board. The County
will actively seek such participation through education, workshops, releases of information to
the news media, surveys and public hearings.
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SECTION 1 – Data Collection and Analysis
Information Base
The Coastal Area Management Act guidelines for land use plans require an analysis of existing
conditions and future trends be completed before policy statements are established. The intent of
this requirement is to ensure that policies reflect current conditions and issues facing the County.
Key components of the analysis may be broken into four categories:
1. Current conditions including demographic information, existing land use, and current plans
and regulations.
2. Land suitability including physical limitations on development, fragile areas, and areas with
resource potential.
3. Community facility and service constraints including water, sewer, transportation, police,
fire, schools, solid waste, and parks and recreation.
4. Anticipated demand including demographic projections, future land use needs, and
community facility needs.
Collectively, these elements summarize past and present conditions while providing an essential
reference tool for estimating future conditions.
Current Conditions
Demographics
a) Population
Dare County is located in a remote portion of northeastern North Carolina. For many years, just
getting to Dare County was a challenge due to its lack of adequate roads and bridges. However
during the mid 1900s, Dare County was slowly developing as a destination for sportsman and
naturalists and was not known as a retirement community or a resort area. Better roads and
bridges were constructed that allowed more access to Dare County, but still it remained a
relatively unknown area. Land prices were cheap and subdivisions were developed by real estate
speculators in the 1960s and 1970s that have remained vacant for many years. However, Dare
County has experienced tremendous growth since 1970 with average annual growth rates of
6.7% in the 1970s decade and 5.5% in the 1980s decades. Growth has continued throughout the
90s decade although the average annual growth rate has slowed to 2.8%. Figures from the 2000
US Census indicate the permanent population for Dare County has doubled since the 1980
census count. The following tables demonstrate the changing demographic characteristics of
Dare County.
12
Table 1 – Population Figures for Dare County
Population in
Dare County
Absolute Increase
1990-2000
1900 4,757
1910 4,841 1900-1910
1920 5,115 1910-1920 274
1930 5,202 1920-1930 87
1940 6,041 1930-1940 839
1950 5,405 1940-1950 (636)
1960 5,935 1950-1960 530
1970 6,995 1960-1970 1,060
1980 13,377 1970-1980 6,382
1990 22,746 1980-1990 9,369
2000 29,967 1990-2000 7,221
Table 2 – Average Annual Growth Rates
1950-1960 1.0%
1960-1970 1.7%
1970-1980 6.7%
1980-1990 5.5%
1190-2000 2.8%
Average annual growth rates are derived using the compound interest formula. These figures were calculated using Microsoft Excel.
The US Census defines a household to include all of the people who occupy a housing unit. In
Dare County, the number of households in 2000 increased by 36% from the 1990 census, or an
annual growth of 3.6% per year. For the same period, the number of households in North
Carolina increased by 24% or an annual growth rate of 2.4% per year. The average household
size for Dare County is smaller than the average for the State of North Carolina. One possible
factor for this smaller size may be the number of retired persons residing in Dare County.
Table 3- Households
1990 2000
Total # of
Households
Average
Household Size
Total # of
Households
Average
Household Size
Dare County 9,349 2.41 12,690 2.34
North Carolina 2,517,026 2.54 3,132,013 2.49
The age breakdown analysis for Dare County indicates that a larger percentage of the County’s
population is over 65 years of age compared to the figures for the entire State. The median age
for Dare County listed in the US Census is 40.4 years, an increase over the 1990 median age of
35.2. These figures reflect the number of retired individuals in the Dare community. The
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median age for the State in 1990 was 33.2 and the 2000 census figures show a slight increase in
the median age to 35.3. The following table depicts a more detailed breakdown.
Table 4 – Age Breakdown –2000
Under 5 5-17 18-64 65+
# % # % # % # %
Dare 1,547 5.2 4,864 16.2 19,432 64.8 4,124 13.8
NC 539,509 6.7 1,424,538 17.7 5,116,248 63.6 969,048 12.0
The racial composition of Dare County is predominantly white and the percentage for the County
is much higher than the percentage of whites found in North Carolina.
Table 5 – Racial Composition 2000
White Black or African
American
Other
# % # % # %
Dare 28,393 94.7 797 2.7 777 2.6
NC 5,804,656 72.1 1,737,545 21.6 507,112 6.3
According to the 2000 Census, there are 26,671 housing units in Dare County, with 52.4% listed
as vacant. This large percentage of vacant housing units reflects the abundance of housing units
that are offered for short-term occupancy in Dare County. Over 50% of the vacant housing units
in Dare County are categorized as seasonal or recreational use. Year-round residents in Dare
County occupied 47.6% of these units compared to the 88.9% of year-round occupancy found in
the remainder of North Carolina.
Table 6 – Housing Units and Occupancy
Dare County North Carolina
Housing Units Percent Housing Units Percent
TOTAL 26,671 100.0 3,523,944 100.0
Occupied 12,690 47.6 3,132,013 88.9
Owner Occupied 9,460 35.5 2,172,355 61.6
Renter Occupied 3,230 12.2 959,658 27.2
Vacant 13,981 52.4 391,931 11.1
For Rent 277 1.0 92,893 2.6
For Sale Only 117 0.4 44,007 1.2
Rented or Sold 70 0.3 26,523 0.8
Seasonal/Recreational
Rental or Use
13,355 50.1 134,870 3.8
For Migrant Workers 5 0.0 1,890 0.1
Other Vacant 157 0.6 91,748 2.6
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b) Economy
Dare County’s per capita and median family incomes are close to the figures for North Carolina
as a whole. Dare County trails the State on the per capita income figures, however the median
family incomes for Dare County are almost equal to the State figures.
Table 7 – Income Estimates
Per Capita Income/1999 Median Family
Income/2000
Dare County $24,566 $50,300
NC $27,194 $50,200
The majority of jobs in Dare County are in some way related to the tourism industry, with retail
trade and services the largest employment sectors in the County. These industries combine for a
total 56.6%. In North Carolina, the same sectors represent 41.5% of the State’s job base. The
boat building industry represents the limited number of manufacturing jobs (3.9%) compared to
21.3% for the State. Construction and real estate services employ many County residents as well
as the public sector jobs offered by the local, State and Federal governments. There is also a
small sector of the population employed in the commercial fishing industry.
Table 8 – Labor Force Estimates
Sector 2000 % of DC % of NC
Agriculture 159 0.8 1.4
Construction 1,362 6.6 5.8
Finan/Ins./Real Estate 2,548 12.4 4.7
Government 2,447 11.9 15.7
Manufacturing 658 3.2 21.3
Services 4,379 21.4 23.5
Wholesale Trade 464 2.3 5.0
Retail Trade 8,059 39.3 18.0
Trans/Comm/ Utilities 413 2.0 4.6
TOTAL 20,489 100.0 100.0
Demographic information obtained from NC State Data Center, 2000 US Census Data and NC Dept of Commerce
c) Impact of Seasonal Population
As the seasonal population descends upon Dare County every year, the demand for public
services and the impact on public facilities increases at a proportional rate. The year-round
population of Dare County, according to the 2000 Census is 29,967. The seasonal population
15
peak is approximately 200,000. Public services and facilities must be designed to accommodate
peak period demand, and then operate according to the demand level during non-peak periods.
The traditional peak population period is during the summer months or generally between
Memorial Day and Labor Day. However, the non-peak periods have grown increasingly popular
as well, extending the tourist season or “shoulder season” from Easter weekend in the spring to
Thanksgiving weekend in the fall. Also, the property owners of the resort homes offered for
short-term rentals often use their property for their personal vacations during these spring and
fall months. During the winter months, Dare County reverts to its static population base, with
reserve capacity for almost every public service. However, even during these winter months,
Dare County is subject to occasional bursts in population due to three-day weekend holidays in
January and February.
The major impact of the seasonal population is on the service delivery and infrastructure support.
Water and other utility systems must be designed to meet the capacity needs of the peak demands
but most of the time, operate at much less than peak demands. The most overstressed of the
local infrastructure are the transportation improvements, particularly on rainy days that result in
heavy traffic flows and in certain areas, like Duck or Manteo, result in traffic back-ups on the
highways. The increased traffic affects the response times and travel times of the emergency
medical services in addition to their services being impacted by the increase on the number of
emergency calls due to the population surge. Law enforcement officials also face challenges
similar to those of the emergency medical personnel.
There also are impacts on the quality of life of the permanent population in that the peak
population increases frustrate efforts to complete one’s daily activities such as grocery shopping
and commutes to work sites. As the peak populations continue to increase with each passing
season, there is a growing sentiment of being overwhelmed by the number of visitors. However,
most everyone realizes the importance of the tourism industry in Dare County and accepts the
increased demands placed on the local service and transportation infrastructure. This frustration
is countered with the revenues that Dare County receives from the tourist population in the forms
of the occupancy tax, a prepared meals tax, and a retail sales tax. Many residents also recognize
the benefits of having “clean” industry such as tourism versus more manufacturing or industrial
economies.
Table 9 -- Services Impacted by the Population Surge
1. Water Production and Distribution
2. Transportation Infrastructure
3. Solid Waste Management
4. Emergency Medical and Air Ambulance
5. Law Enforcement and Detention
6. Electrical Services
7. Animal Control
8. Parks and Recreation Areas
16
Community Land Use Analysis
Analyzing the existing land uses throughout the community serves a number of functions. The
primary function is to provide an overview of development patterns and a basis for determining
growth trends over time. The analysis or survey identifies what development has occurred,
where the development has occurred, and what kind of development has occurred. The survey
also shows the relationship between different kinds of land use and their compatibility with the
surrounding properties.
Current land use information is fundamental to the preparation of the land use plan. Not only is
the survey helpful in preparing policies for the plan, but it is also useful in identifying water and
sewer expansion areas or needed changes to zoning maps or ordinances. Data provided by the
existing land use survey is helpful to both the public and private sectors. For the public sector,
the need for new schools or recreation areas may be identified during the land use survey, while
the private sector might use the information in decision-making processes about development
plans or real estate purchases.
The analysis area for the land use survey corresponds to the planning jurisdiction of Dare
County, which includes the unincorporated areas of Martins Point, Colington, the Hatteras Island
villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras, the Mainland villages
of Manns Harbor, East Lake and Stumpy Point, and Roanoke Island including Wanchese. Not
included in the study area are the incorporated towns of Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores, Kill Devil
Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo. The towns prepare Land use plans for these areas separately.
Duck became the sixth municipality in Dare County on May 2002 but will continue to use the
Dare County Land Use Plan until the Town can adopt its own land use plan. Therefore, the
individual analysis includes Duck.
The Planning staff completed an analysis of each village using existing tax records. A narrative
description for each village is included below. Appendix C at the end of the update includes
property use tables for each village taken from the Dare County tax records illustrating the
existing uses of the total parcels for each village and color-coded maps prepared by the Dare
County Information Technology Department.
a) Individual Village Analysis
DUCK – In November 2001, the registered voters of Duck voted to incorporate their village into
Dare County’s sixth municipality. On May 1, 2002, Duck officially became a Town. A
contract for planning and building inspector services was signed by the County and the Town of
Duck to continue to provide these services for an additional 12 months. The Town of Duck will
use the Dare County Land Use Plan until they are able to adopt their own Plan sometime in
2003.
Duck is the northernmost portion of Dare County and lies between the Southern Shores
municipal boundary and the Currituck County line. Access to Duck is via NC 12, also known as
17
Duck Road. The primary land use is residential structures that are generally not the principal
residences of the owners. These vacation homes are often made available for short-term rental
during the summer months. In addition, there are several multi-family developments scattered
throughout the village. A federal research pier operated by the Army Corps of Engineers is
located in the middle of the village. Commercial development is limited to a portion of land
adjacent to and along NC 12. This “village commercial” district has established a special sense
of identity for the village due to the limited scope of permitted uses. Only those retail and
service related businesses that are necessary for the daily needs of the immediate village are
permitted in this VC district. The scope of uses in Duck prevents the introduction of destination-type
attractions and has discouraged the carnival-like atmosphere typical of many other coastal
resort areas. Vacant land in Duck is limited to undeveloped lots in previously recorded
subdivisions. In 1999, the largest remaining undeveloped tract, known as the Gard tract, was
approved as a 131-lot subdivision called Four Seasons. Although there are a couple of isolated
tracts of 2-3 acres of undeveloped land, the land use pattern for Duck village is now established
pending any redevelopment proposals that may be forthcoming in the next decade.
The most influential change in the development trends has been the increase in the size of
residential structures versus the existing residential development that had been a more traditional
3-bedroom, 2-bath “cottage”. As of the millennium, this concept has evolved into multiple
bedrooms, multi bathroom up-scale structures with individual pools. These structures are largely
marketed as rental resorts for short-term rental. The proliferation of this style of occupancy
has generated issues pertaining to off-street parking, wastewater treatment capabilities, and
general overcrowding.
In terms of commercial development, ordinance amendments have been adopted for the VC
district in Duck to address the proportionality of commercial structures to the land use patterns of
a village setting. The amendments limit per building floor area and establish lighting and
aesthetic standards for the district.
As was the case in 1994, traffic congestion and vehicle movement continues to be a critical issue
during the peak summer season months. Although a popular bicycle trail has provided an
alternative means for those who chose to use it, the automobile remains the principal means of
transportation in Duck. The primary transportation route is the two-lane NC 12 that also
facilitates all traffic destined further north into the beaches of Currituck County. It is anticipated
that traffic congestion will continue to be a problem. The much-discussed Mid-County Currituck
Bridge continues to be the only hopeful alternative for alleviating much of the congestion
associated with travel to points further north. Unfortunately, it appears that the Mid-County
Bridge is at least 8-10 years away from completion. The widening of the existing roadway
represents the only other congestion relief alternative but is widely opposed as incompatible with
the village setting of Duck.
MARTINS POINT – Martin’s Point Subdivision is located adjacent to the Town of Southern
Shores with commercial development along the frontage of US 158 and the majority of the
subdivision is platted as residential lots. A manned guard gate limits access to the residential
section. For years, the development of Martins Point was under the extraterritorial zoning
jurisdiction of Southern Shores, however, the residential portions of the subdivision reverted
18
back to the County’s jurisdiction in October 2000. The commercial areas remain under the ETJ
of Southern Shores.
KDH OUTSIDE/COLINGTON – The KDH Outside tax district includes the area locally known
as Baum Bay and is located adjacent to the Kill Devil Hills municipal boundary and continues to
the first bridge along Colington Road. The development patterns for Baum Bay and Colington
can be distinguished by the variation of land uses found throughout the islands. This variation
in land use is the result of decades of unregulated land use. However, in 1997, a zoning map was
adopted for all of Colington and the Baum Bay area. The largest subdivision in the area,
Colington Harbour was zoned in 1985. Both areas continue to be a largely year-round
community with a mix of single-family residences, mobile homes and a handful of commercial
uses. The presence of rich estuarine shorelines prompted the Colington area to be a fishing
village with an emphasis on crabbing prior to the discovery of the Outer Banks as a tourist resort.
Commercial fishing and crabbing continues to be an important source of income for many
Colingtonians and a source of recreational pleasure for visitors. Commercial fishing and
traditional land uses played an important role in the development of a zoning map to facilitate
these uses but limit the commercial growth potential of Colington.
The development of the First Flight Schools complex nearby serves as an additional attraction to
many families moving to the area.
Access to the area is along SR 1217, a winding two-lane road with limited right-of-way width.
This heavily traveled secondary road represents a major challenge to transportation planners in
NCDOT 1st district. Plans for a 400-unit community on land that adjoins the Baum Bay Harbor
Subdivision and the construction of a high school on the Baum tract adjacent to the existing First
Flight Middle and Elementary schools will further impact traffic on Colington Road.
RODANTHE – Traveling south from Oregon Inlet on NC 12, Rodanthe is the first Hatteras
Island village after the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge. Similar to the other areas of unincorporated
Dare County, Rodanthe lacks any defined pattern of development other than that which is found
along NC 12, the only major transportation route in the village. Another cluster of commercial
development surrounds the Hatteras Island Fishing Pier. Elsewhere, residential lots and
structures of various sizes and ages can be found throughout the village.
In 1997, the County constructed a reverse osmosis plant for the Rodanthe Waves Salvo area.
The development potential for the village has been enhanced by this central water supply but
continues to be limited by poorly drained soils. The availability of a central water supply has
contributed to the quality of life in Rodanthe be eliminating the need for private wells for potable
water. In the past, private wells had been inundated by ocean over wash, saltwater intrusion, and
encroachment by multiple drainfield/septic tank systems.
The Rodanthe village areas continues to be one of the last frontiers in unincorporated Dare
County in terms of the residents continued resistance to land use controls. However, as the land
use almost everywhere else in Dare County comes under zoning ordinances, the introduction of
unpopular or incompatible uses and/or structures has prompted some civic leaders to rethink the
need for zoning.
19
There are two principal transportation issues in Rodanthe. The first is largely a result of the
absence of subdivision regulations decades ago that has left the village with a multitude of
private roads in poor condition. Secondly, the principal route, NC 12, is at times unreliable due
to ocean overwash and a regulatory/environmental dilemma that has stymied transportation
planners at NCDOT. However, a multi-agency task force has been working for several years in
an effort to develop both short-term and long-term alternatives for the management and
maintenance of NC 12.
WAVES – The village of Waves is predominantly detached residential structures with some
commercial development. Like, Rodanthe, free market forces have established themselves along
NC 12. In addition, a number of large travel trailer parks and campgrounds are located in
Waves. The village has also benefited from the construction of the reverse osmosis plant but
development is still limited by soil characteristics that are poorly drained.
SALVO – Salvo is bordered by the village of Waves on the north end and the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore on the south end. The development of Salvo is similar to Rodanthe and
Waves with both residential and commercial structures located along NC 12. The commercial
development is focused mainly on providing services to the seasonal population. The
construction of the reverse osmosis plant has removed the reliance on private wells for the Salvo
residents but development is still limited by the poorly drained soils found throughout Hatteras
Island. Salvo will continue to develop in the established patterns with a mix of permanent
homes and businesses along NC 12 and seasonal residents along the immediate ocean and
estuarine shorelines.
AVON – Avon village can be separated into two distinct areas within its boundaries. The first is
the residential development and businesses established to serve the seasonal visitors and the
other, the year-round population located within the old village of Kinnakeet. Along the NC 12
corridor, the majority of land is already developed with mostly residential structures offered for
resort rentals or platted as residential lots. The commercial establishments along NC 12 cater
mainly to the seasonal population’s needs but also provide services to the year-round populations
as evidenced by the island only franchise grocery store and newly developed medical center.
Inside the village, neighborhoods are residences of the year-round population of Avon, with a
mixture of single-family homes and mobile homes. The influence of commercial fishing is
evident within the old village, particularly along the harborfront. Avon is a blend of the old
and the new with the soundside village composed of extended families and the new areas
developing as a resort accommodations and service community
BUXTON – Buxton is a growing commercial and institutional mid-point of Hatteras Island.
The existing Cape Hatteras School is located in Buxton and a new elementary school is under
construction also. Buxton is comprised of mostly year-round residents and serves as a
commercial hub for the entire island. The County constructed a multi-use recreational facility
known as the Fessenden Center in Buxton in the mid 1990s that is widely used for recreational
sports and other community gatherings. The Group Cape Hatteras Coast Guard base located in
Buxton lends to the strong sense of community of the village. The Buxton Woods maritime
forest influences a good portion of the residential development occurring in Buxton.
20
Development in the Buxton Woods forest must comply with the County’s special zoning
regulations established to preserve the maritime forest setting. Buxton will continue to serve as
the commercial and institutional center of Hatteras Island with a mix of single-family homes and
modest residential development serving the year-round residents of the area.
FRISCO – Similar to Buxton, development in Frisco is influenced by the maritime forest known
as Buxton Woods. Several older subdivisions on the soundside of Frisco are beginning to
develop with seasonal and year-round homes. Minimal zoning regulations of the S-1 district
that permits all uses is established outside the areas zoned SED-1 for the maritime forest. In
1998, efforts to adopt more restrictive zoning were unsuccessful due to the lack of a community
consensus of desired land use patterns along the vacant road frontage on NC 12. As a result,
commercial development has continued to dominant the NC 12 road corridor. This pattern of
development is expected to continue in Frisco due to the restrictive nature SED-1 zoning of
Buxton Woods and the lack of use-specific guidelines of the S-1 zoning.
HATTERAS – Hatteras village is the southern most village of Hatteras Island and serves as an
entry point for Dare County as a result of the location of the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry landing at
the village/County boundary. The influence of commercial and sport fishing is evident in
Hatteras village and many year-round residents make their homes in Hatteras. Large seasonal
resort homes line the oceanfront of Hatteras village. Commercial development is centered along
NC 12 that runs through the village. A commercial hub has also developed around the ferry
landing as part of the Hatteras Landing planned unit development approved by Dare County in
the early 1990s. Hatteras has done well in retaining its coastal village character while
accommodating growth directed to the seasonal population.
ROANOKE ISLAND (outside Manteo) – This area of Dare County is predominantly made up of
a year-round population. A mixture of single-family residential structures and mobile homes are
located in the area. This section of Dare County is the oldest and most traditional setting for
year-round residency. The location of central sewer lines along the portion of US 64 that
stretches from the southern Manteo town boundary to the Pirates Cove development has
influenced the commercial development of Roanoke Island. Commercial developments have
been constructed along this section of US 64 that fall under the planning jurisdiction of Dare
County but are connected to the central sewer service of the Town of Manteo. The
availability of central sewer from Manteo and the construction of a new bridge from the
Mainland to the US 64/NC 345 intersection will continue to influence this area of Roanoke
Island. The construction of a new County courthouse and visitors bureau near the new bridge
landing will result in a new center of activity away from the traditional downtown area of
Manteo. One of the unique features of the area is the overlay corridor district that runs from the
Umstead Bridge to Baum Bridge that establishes architectural and vegetation protection
provisions along the frontage of US 64. Roanoke Island is also home to the Dare County
regional airport and several cultural facilities, including the North Carolina Aquarium and Fort-
Raleigh-Elizabethan Gardens complex.
SKYCO – the Skyco area is located south of the Washington Baum Bridge on Roanoke Island
along NC 345 and north of large wetlands areas that separate Skyco from the village of
21
Wanchese. The area is predominately single family residences along NC 345 and Skyco Road
and Toler Road. There are scattered commercial uses in the Skyco area that front on NC 345
including storage warehouses and an automobile repair shop.
WANCHESE – Located at the southern end of Roanoke Island, Wanchese is best described as a
coastal fishing community with land development supporting this industry. A large portion of
the community has been developed as the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park by the State. In
recent years, this facility has finally begun to develop some established businesses, but has yet to
reach its full potential due to the uncertainly of the dynamic and unreliable conditions of Oregon
Inlet, which is the only ocean inlet for northern Dare County. Wanchese is also home to several
boat manufacturing firms. Other commercial development is devoted to the immediate
community needs. The population is almost entirely year-round residents of extended families.
Residential development is a mixture of single-family homes and mobile homes. The area is
unzoned. Wanchese is a year-round community with strong ties to the commercial fishing and
boating industries.
MANNS HARBOR– Manns Harbor is located on the Mainland of Dare County. Rural in nature,
Manns Harbor is comprised mostly of year-round residents with limited commercial
development. However, the landing of the new Roanoke Sound Bridge is located at the US 64
intersection in Manns Harbor and it is anticipated that this will greatly influence the community
over the next several years. Although Manns Harbor is currently unzoned, there has been
considerable interest in a possible zoning map as a result of the residents recognizing possible
changes associated with the new bridge landing. Existing development patterns reflect a
somewhat disorganized mix of residential uses, service-related businesses and even some light
manufacturing (boat building). Manns Harbor is the largest of the Mainland villages.
MASHOES – The small village of Mashoes is located off US 64 from Manns Harbor. It is a
small community with a handful of year-round residents and no commercial land uses. The
area is unzoned and relies on private wells and individual on-site septic systems for wastewater
treatment.
EAST LAKE – The majority of the Mainland area is under the jurisdiction of the Federal
government as either the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge or the US Navy/Air Force bombing
range. There is little development in East Lake except for the residential uses for the area’s
handful of permanent residents. Most homes are located along US 64. Dare County’s heritage
as a rural area and sportsman paradise remains evident in East Lake. Like Manns Harbor, this
area is unzoned.
STUMPY POINT – Located off US 264, Stumpy Point is somewhat isolated from the other areas
of Dare County with a majority of the property owned by permanent residents. The influence of
commercial fishing is evident in Stumpy Point due to its proximity to the Pamlico Sound. The
poor soils and low elevations have limited development in Stumpy Point despite being a
waterfront community. A central water system solely for Stumpy Point is being constructed by
the County to provide more suitable potable water for the residents, who currently use private
wells with an undesirable water quality. Stumpy Point is also unzoned and the residents have not
indicated any dissatisfaction with this state.
22
b) Overall Community Analysis
Over the last decade, Dare County has continued to grow as many of the subdivision lots that
were recorded in the previous decades were developed, as either permanent single-family homes
or into seasonal resort rentals or investment homes. Subdivision of land has slowed since the
1980s with mostly smaller subdivisions taking place over the last several years. The
construction and real estate industry has enjoyed a robust period of growth during the late 1990s
and early part of 2000. One factor of the construction industry that is of particular interest is the
increasingly popularity of pools as an amenity of seasonal rental homes. The pool construction
industry has experienced phenomenal growth since the early 1990s with most new homes
planned as rentals being constructed with a pool. Many of the existing rental homes have been
forced to retrofit their sites with pools to compete with the newer structures.
The graphs and tables included below depict information on the issuance of building permits and
subdivisions in unincorporated Dare County. Although there were increases almost every year
between 1995 and 2000, there was a considerable jump in the number of permits from 1999 to
2000. The second graph depicts the number of permits issued by each of the building
inspection offices. The south office is for Hatteras Island, the central office is for permits on
Roanoke Island and the Mainland, and the north office is for permits in Duck and Colington.
Reviewing these graphs it is evident that the Hatteras Island office has realized a steady increase
in the number of permits issued since 1995, with the numbers for the Roanoke Island office
fluctuating within this same period. However, the north beach office figures depict a substantial
increase from 1998 to 1999 and 2000.
Graph 1- Building Permits Issues for Unincorporated Dare County 1995-2001
535 519 566 583
688
817 862
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Permits Issued 1995-2001
23
Graph 2- Building Permits Issued According to Geographic Location
of Unincorporated Dare County 1995-2001
Permits by Geographic Region
165 161
186
223
263
350
153 152 175 175
130
168 157
217 206 205 203
335
386
354
205
0
100
200
300
400
500
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
South Central North
The next graphs depict subdivision information over the period of 1995-2001. There is no
discernible trend as the numbers fluctuate from year to year except for the year 2000 during
which over 200 subdivisions lots were recorded. For the year 2000, three phases of the
Kinnakeet Shores Soundside Subdivision in Avon were recorded. These plats were granted
preliminary approval in the mid 1990s under a phasing agreement with Dare County but were
not recorded until 2001. Also, the largest remaining undeveloped tract in Duck was recorded in
2000 accounting for the majority of lots recorded throughout the unincorporated area.
24
Graph 3 – Subdivisions Recorded for Unincorporated Dare County 1995-2001
8
6
9
4 4
6 6
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Subdivisions Recorded 1995-2001
Graph 4- Total Subdivision Lots Recorded 1995-2001
35 47
90
30
79
236
78
0
50
100
150
200
250
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total Lots Recorded 1995-2001
c) Significant Land Use Compatibility Issues
Before the expansive growth periods of the past three decades, land use in Dare County was a
mix of dispersed home sites and essential-need service establishments. During the growth
period, market forces directed the establishment of a variety of land uses into the existing setting.
As a result of this “mixing” of land uses, compatibility issues have developed. Further
contributing to the compatibility issue is a lack of zoning controls or formalized zoning maps for
some areas of unincorporated Dare County. This lack of zoning has often resulted in
incompatible land uses located adjacent to one another or in incompatible architecture style in
25
close proximity to existing structures. A recent trend among the developed areas is a pattern of
new and larger residential structures that do not match the scale of existing development.
Another compatibility issue concerns the development of land along the County’s major
transportation routes, NC 12, US 158 and US 64. Movement of traffic along these routes has
been drastically impeded by commercial land use accessed from these roads and a series of
traffic signals, particularly during peak summer months.
All of the compatibility issues in Dare County are compounded by the extraordinary amount of
land held in public ownership. These publicly owned properties include the Alligator River
National Wildlife Refuge, the Fort Raleigh complex, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the
Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, the US Air Force/Navy bombing ranges, and the Buxton Woods
Coastal Preserve. Over 80% of the total land area of unincorporated Dare County is in public
ownership. There is a great deal of pressure to use and develop the remaining 20% of the
privately owned land. In addition, the privately owned lands are further limited by a number of
State and Federal regulatory programs.
d) Issues Associated With Unanticipated Development
Protection of Dare County’s abundant natural resources is a priority issue in Dare County. This
is particularly true along the estuarine shoreline where stormwater runoff threatens water quality
and aquatic life. Pressure for increased development will continue but must be balanced by the
need to protect our natural resources.
Land that is suitable for development is becoming harder to find and more costly to develop due
to regulatory and topographical constraints. The robust market of the past several years has
been able to absorb the extra costs of developing marginal lots and still make a satisfactory
profit. As such, attempts to circumvent land use regulations are becoming more frequent.
Another issue is the ability of local government to keep pace with the latest construction trends.
Quick responses to undesirable construction practices are generally not possible since local
governments must adhere to strict notification procedures established by North Carolina General
Statutes before adopting new land use regulations.
An equally important, but less quantifiable issue is the potential loss of identity as a result of
unanticipated development. Often, residents of a community feel their “sense of place” is
threatened by changing developing patterns or the market adjusting to increases in the permanent
population.
Plans, Policies, and Regulations
There are several important Federal, State and local documents and regulations that are used to
manage growth in Dare County. The following is a list of these plans, policies, and regulations:
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a) Local Plans, Policies, and Regulations
1. 1994 Dare County Land Use Plan – This plan continued the goal of the 1987 Land Use Plan
to zone the portions of unincorporated Dare County that lack development standards.
Progress toward this goal has been on-going since the adoption of the 1994 LUP. Growth
has been continuing at a fast pace since the 1994 LUP and policies in that Plan have provided
some direction during this period of high growth.
2. Dare County Zoning Ordinance – This document is used within the zoned portions of
unincorporated Dare County, including Colington, Roanoke Island and Hatteras Island.
Since the 1994 LUP, the County has amended the Zoning Ordinance several times to
establish standards for lighting and gross floor area limitations in Duck village; a detailed set
of standards for the location and construction of communications towers; zoning standards
for Martins Point Subdivision; and a text amendment for bed and breakfast homes in the RS-
1 district; established a new Commercial Services CS district in conjunction with the
Colington zoning map and parking standards for residential structures with 4 or more
bedrooms. The Dare County Planning Department is responsible for the enforcement of the
Zoning Ordinance.
3. Dare County Subdivision Ordinance – All of unincorporated Dare County, including the
unzoned portions, are covered by this ordinance. Subdivision plats are reviewed by the
Planning Board and approved by the Board of Commissioners with staff assistance from the
Planning Department.
4. Dare County Mobile Home Park and Travel Trailer Park Ordinance – This document
provides standards used to guide the development of mobile homes parks and travel trailer
parks.
5. Dare County Nuisance Ordinance – This ordinance was adopted in 1992 and gives the
Planning Director the authority to declare certain structures or properties as public nuisances.
Since its adoption, the ordinance has been used to help with the clean up of oceanfront
structures destroyed or damaged by erosion, remnants portions of burned structures, and used
to address potential collapse hazards associated with sand mining activities in Colington
Harbour Subdivision.
6. Dare County Health Department – This local agency is responsible for the issuance of septic
permits and well placement. The staff also submits general comments on all proposed
subdivisions and projects reviewed by the Planning Board. Their jurisdiction is
Countywide, including the municipalities.
7. Dare County Regional Water Service Plan – This plan is prepared and updated on an annual
basis by the staff of the Dare County Water Department. The plan provides usage rates for
the past year, anticipated demand for the upcoming year, and infrastructure needs.
b) State Plans, Policies, and Regulations
1. Department of Environment and Natural Resources — Division of Coastal
Management/Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 – This state regulatory program is
responsible for the development of the twenty coastal counties within North Carolina. All
proposed development within the CAMA Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) must be
reviewed and approved under these standards. The adoption of 30-foot buffer regulations
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along all estuarine water bodies in 2000 by the State has had significant impact on
development in Dare County.
2. Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Division of Land Resources – This
State agency is responsible for issuing erosion and sedimentation permits, mining permits,
etc.
3. Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Division of Water Quality – This
agency is responsible for statewide regulatory programs in groundwater and surface water
protection, including the issuance of stormwater management permits and water quality
monitoring programs.
4. Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Division of Environmental Health –
This agency is compromised of five sections: Environmental Health Services, Public Water
Supply, On-Site Wastewater, Public Health, and Pest Management. This agency oversees
the regulation of on-site wastewater treatment, enforcement of public water supply rules, safe
harvesting of shellfish and sanitation of shellfish processing establishments, and the public
health of public pools.
5. Department of Cultural Resources – Division of Archives and History – The responsibilities
of this agency include the identification and protection of historical and archaeologically
significant lands and structures.
6. Department of Insurance – This department has supervision and regulatory authority over the
State building codes that are used and enforced by the Dare County Building Inspectors and
Fire Marshal.
7. Department of Transportation – Thoroughfare Improvement Plan – This plan outlines
proposed highway infrastructure improvements. The plan is updated on an annual basis
through hearings conducted by the Transportation Board.
c) Federal Plans, Policies, and Regulations
1. Army Corps of Engineers – The Corps has regulatory jurisdiction over wetlands, dredging
projects, and beach nourishment, etc.
2. Federal Emergency Management Agency – This Federal agency is responsible for the
enforcement of floodplain management regulations. A local Floodplain Administrator is on
staff with Dare County to ensure that all construction within the County is built to comply
with the flood elevation standards. FEMA also sponsors a Community Rating System that
involves a series of incentives for local governments to promote proper construction
techniques and public education of floodplain regulations in exchange for community-wide
discounts on flood insurance rates. Dare County participates in the CRS program and
currently qualifies for a 15% discount on flood rates in unincorporated Dare County.
3. Department of Interior – The National Park Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service
both own large amounts of land in Dare County. Their management plans and policies
greatly influence activities of the local government and Dare County citizens, particularly on
Hatteras Island and the Mainland.
d) Enforcement of Plans, Policies, and Regulations
Dare County employs a full-time Planning Department that is responsible for the implementation
and enforcement of all local regulatory programs pertaining to land use. Enforcement is
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achieved through a review process that requires the submission of development plans and/or
subdivision plats to the Planning Board for a recommendation. The Board of Commissioners has
the final approval authority and the staff personnel monitor to ensure compliance.
New construction is regulated by a local permit process that includes review by a zoning
enforcement officer, a local CAMA permit officer, and the County’s floodplain administrator
before the issuance of a local building permit. All new construction must meet the standards of
the NC State building codes.
The authorization and installation of on-site septic tank/drainfield wastewater treatment systems
is regulated by the Dare County Health Department. A staff of professional sanitarians certified
by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Health oversees this permit program.
The Dare County Planning Department also enforces the Dare County Mobile Home Park and
Travel Trailer Park Ordinance. The review procedures for this ordinance are similar to the
subdivision review process.
The Nuisance Ordinance is enforced by the Planning Department with the Planning Director
authorized to declare public nuisances and identify remedial measures.
Dare County relies on the NC Division of Water Quality for standards for stormwater
management and the Division of Land Resources for enforcement of standards for sedimentation
and erosion control.
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is the responsible agency for the protection, management
and identification of wetlands.
e) Evaluation of Existing Land Use Plan
Since 1994, the policies of the Dare County Land Use Plan have played important role in several
land use issues that have dominated public policy debates in unincorporated Dare County.
The underlying theme of the 1994 LUP, as expressed in a resolution included with the Plan, was
to maintain the “coastal village atmosphere” of unincorporated Dare County. Most illustrative of
the effort to prevent the loss of a sense of place has been the conflict between market forces
seeking to deliver national retail franchise businesses to Dare County’s evolving population base
and the desire of citizens and local merchants to preclude the introduction of these
uncharacteristic retailers and their large floor area structures. The result of this debate was the
adoption of an ordinance to limit floor area ratio in the Village Commercial zoning district in
Duck. In addition, as of 2001, the Dare County Board of Commissioners had established a
moratorium on all large commercial structures greater than 20,000 square feet. The purpose of
the moratorium was to provide staff time to develop ordinances and standards to help insure that
buildings in unincorporated Dare County did not overpower the landscape or represent future
eyesores once abandoned or vacated. In March 2002, the Board adopted a gross floor limitation
of 20,000 square feet for retail structures in all commercial and industrial zoning districts.
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Perhaps, more controversial than the conflict with big box retailers was an effort by the Dare
County Board of Commissioners to use its land use plan to prevent the relocation of the Cape
Hatteras Lighthouse. Attempts by the Board of Commissioners to include language in the LUP
stating the County’s preference that a shoreline stabilization technique be used instead of
relocation met resistance from the NC Coastal Resources Commission. The matter was
eventually resolved and the Lighthouse was relocated.
The LUP’s policy on wastewater treatment played a decisive role in a decision to preclude the
construction and operation of a central wastewater treatment plant in conjunction with the
development of a 65-acre parcel in Duck. Developers had proposed to use such a facility and the
Planning Board and staff determined doing so would be contrary to County policy. The
subdivision was eventually approved but the proposed central wastewater treatment system was
eliminated. Although the developer argued that the controlled treatment of wastewater was
preferable, the County maintained its position that privately owned wastewater treatment plants
have a poor maintenance track record and are often only used to bolster lot coverage or
development density.
The 1994 Plan also recognized competition for the use of public trust waters that are so
important to the tourist economy of Dare County. As the use of personal watercraft, privately
owned and rented, continued to create controversy, the County Commissioners sought legislative
authorization from the NC General Assembly to regulate activities in the County’s public trust
waters. A bill providing Dare County regulatory powers over the public trust waters was ratified
in May 2001. It is anticipated that a plan for zoning the waters will be developed in the period
between 2002 and 2004.
As has been the case since the early 1980’s, the County continues its efforts to extend detailed
zoning maps throughout the unincorporated areas. Given the unpredictable nature of the
political climate, this long-term goal will continue to be a challenge in the coming years.
An analysis of the 1994 policies and the associated implementation strategies is included as
Appendix A of this update.
LAND SUITABILITY
Physical Characteristics
Dare County is located along the coastal plain of North Carolina and is best noted for its lengthy
strands of barrier island beaches. The County’s boundaries encompass approximately 800
square miles of which 390 square miles are land area and the remaining 410 square miles are
covered by water. Dare County geographically divides itself into a mainland area, a northern
and southern stretch of islands, and historic Roanoke Island. These land masses are surrounded
by water bodies that include the Atlantic Ocean to the east and to the west include the Pamlico
Sound, the Albemarle Sound, the Roanoke Sound, the Croatan Sound, the Currituck Sound and
the Alligator River.
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a) Natural Hazard Areas
Due to the proximity of Dare County to the Atlantic Ocean, three kinds of natural hazard areas
have been designated as Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) by the NC Coastal Resources
Commission. All three fall into the general category of Ocean Hazard Areas:
1. Inlet Hazard Areas that are lands adjoining Oregon and Hatteras Inlets for variable distances
as determined by the Coastal Resources Commission.
2. Ocean Erodible Areas, which overlaying the frontal dune include the distance landward from
the first line of stable natural vegetation along the entire oceanfront.
3. High Hazard Flood Areas are areas subject to high velocity waters during a 100-year storm
event. These are identified as V zones on the National Flood Insurance rate maps.
Also much of Dare County is located adjacent to the Pamlico, Albemarle, Roanoke, Croatan, or
Currituck Sounds and their tributaries. Similar to those portions of Dare County exposed to the
Atlantic Ocean, these soundside areas are susceptible to flooding during hurricanes or other
weather events where extended periods of gusty winds push the estuarine waters up their banks.
In the early 1990’s weather patterns made soundside flooding a dominant issue. In the latter half
of the decade, ocean overwash from tropical storms, hurricane, and nor’easters changed the focus
and directed attention to the issue of beach erosion and the vulnerability of NC 12 on Hatteras
Island to these conditions.
b) Manmade Hazard Areas
The only manmade hazards identified in Dare County are those associated with civilian and
military aircraft operations. The civilian aircraft operations in Dare County are the Dare County
Regional Airport located on Roanoke Island, First Flight Airstrip location in Kill Devil Hills, and
the Billy Mitchell Airstrip located on Hatteras Island. The US Air Force and US Navy operate
bombing and artillery ranges with air space restrictions on the Mainland portion of Dare County
near Stumpy Point.
Land within the three civilian airport facilities approach zones is subject to hazardous conditions
associated with aircraft take-offs and landings. Land development near these civilian
facilities must be carefully evaluated to ensure that it does not interfere with the safe operation of
the facilities.
A new issue arose in the late 1990’s as mosquito-borne diseases created fears about both animal
and human infection. It was noted that many coastal communities, in an effort to address
stormwater retention, had turned to on-site retention basins as a means of preventing runoff.
Unfortunately, and not considered at the time, these ponds can serve as breeding grounds for
mosquitoes and thus the need to consider other means of addressing stormwater management.
c) Soil Characteristics
Soil characteristics and their ability or inability to accommodate on-site septic systems play an
important part in the land development of Dare County. On the Mainland portion of Dare
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County, ground elevations are from 3 to 7 feet above mean sea level and soil conditions are
predominantly poorly drained with thin organic loam to silt loam surface layers. Along much of
the Outer Banks portion of the County, the soils are generally well to moderately well drained
sand. On Roanoke Island, soils range from loamy sand surfaces with sandy clay loamy subsoils
to silty clay loam surfaces.
In addition to these broad differences between the three main geographic land masses, soil types
can vary significantly within relatively small areas. The Dare County Soil Survey can provide
more specific information on the soil types found in Dare County. This document is available
from the Dare County Agricultural Extension Office or the Dare County Soil and Water
Conservation Service office.
Throughout Dare County, existing natural soils conditions have been altered by drainage
improvements and the introduction of soils from external origins. One trend in land
development is to place large amounts of fill material on undeveloped lots to bring the ground
elevation to the base flood level. This practice creates problems for the adjoining properties due
to the changes in the natural topography.
Wetland soils are also a factor in land development in Dare County. The Clean Water Act
delegates the protection of wetland areas to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps
manages wetland activities under a permit process. However, the definition of what constitutes a
“wetland soil” is subject to interpretation. The criteria used by the Corps staff have changed
over the years and as such the amount of land identified as wetlands in Dare County changes
with the criteria.
The high degree of variability in soil types, combined with a generally high, seasonally
fluctuating water table, makes large scale land use planning difficult. The Soil and Water
Conservation Service in Dare County has divided the entire County into four general categories
for septic tank suitability: suitable, marginal, unsuitable, and questionable. The next table
contains a summary of the soil types found in Dare County and their suitability according to the
SWC classification.
Table 10 – Classification for Soil Types for Septic Tank Suitability
Soil Type Depth to Water Table Suitability Designation
Duneland 6.0’ Suitable
Fripp Fine Sand 6.0’ Suitable
Newhan Fine Sand 6.0’ Suitable
Newham Complexes Varies Suitable
Pactolus-Wakula-Wagram-Associates NA Suitable
Corolla Fine Sand 1.5’ to 3.0’ Marginal
Corolla Fine Sand 1.5’ to 3.0’ Marginal
Beach Foredune Association 0 to 3.0’ foredunes 6.0’ Unsuitable
Corolla Duckston Complex Unsuitable
Hobonny Soils 0 to 2.0’ Unsuitable
Duckston Fine Sands 1.0’ to 2.0’ Unsuitable
Duckston Fine Sands, Forested 1.0’ to 2.0’ Unsuitable
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Carteret Soils, High 1.0’ to 3.0’ Unsuitable
Conaby Soils 0 to 1.0’ Unsuitable
Currituck Soils 0 to 3.0’ Unsuitable
Wasada-Bladen Association NA Unsuitable
Capers Association NA Unsuitable
Dredge Spoil 3.0’ Questionable
Madeland 0 to 2.0’ Questionable
Prior to construction, all of these factors and an individual site analysis performed by the Dare
County Health Department are completed to determine the suitability of a site for development.
The Health Department’s analysis includes the necessary amount of fill material needed to meet
the State on-site septic regulations. As the amount of suitable land in Dare County that is
available for development diminishes, the use of fill material and alternative engineered septic
systems for land with unsuitable, marginal or questionable soils will become more prevalent.
d) Vegetation and Elevated Dunes
Vegetation types vary throughout the County from the wooded wetlands of the mainland to the
relic maritime forests of the barrier islands. Wetland vegetation is abundant and diverse.
Coastal wetlands occur throughout the estuarine shorelines and “404” or freshwater wetlands are
located in most of the geographic areas of Dare County. The northern and southern beaches
include vegetative sand hills that occasionally reach elevations of 50 feet or more above mean
seal level. Most notable of these areas are the dune system facing Roanoke Sound on the
northeast section of Roanoke Island, the Jockey’s Ridge live dune system in Nags Head, the
maritime forests areas found in Buxton Woods, Nags Head Woods and Kitty Hawk Woods, a
small area of inland dunes south of Frisco and some portion of Colington Harbour Subdivision,
and the frontal dune system along the County’s ocean shoreline.
e) Water Supply
Dare County is dependent upon several different sources of raw water, but all are entirely or
partially dependent on groundwater. Underlying the County is a system of layers that contain
three aquifers. The first layer contains a shallow aquifer that ranges in depth from 50 feet on
Roanoke Island to its maximum thickness of 100 feet at Kitty Hawk. This aquifer is recharged
by precipitation and is used by a small number of people on Roanoke Island, the northern
beaches of Dare County and Hatteras Island as a source of water for private wells. The land
surface for recharge of this upper aquifer is Roanoke Island. Additionally, this aquifer is
hydraulically linked to the second aquifer and some recharge occurs from the upper aquifer to
the next aquifer below.
The second aquifer serves as the primary source of potable water for the County. Its depth varies
from 100 feet on Roanoke Island to 45 feet of depth in Nags Head. The depth to the surface of
this primary aquifer ranges from approximately 100 feet on Roanoke Island to 200 feet along the
northern beaches of the County. This aquifer receives recharge from the Mainland portion of
Dare County and Roanoke Island and may be affected by leakage for the upper aquifer. The
estimated total annual recharge capacity to the primary aquifer is 19,439 million gallons, which
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might produce a yield from 100,000 to 150,000 gallons per day. This figure may be not reached
because the exact recharge of the primary aquifer depends on many factors including annual
rainfall.
The third or lowest aquifer is considered an abundant source of water and is used by the
County’s RO plants in Kill Devil Hills and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island. The water quality is
unsuitable for direct potable usage because its chloride concentrations exceed the maximum
allowable levels of chlorides. In addition, recharge to this aquifer is suspected to be from further
inland in Mainland North Carolina. Since it is surrounded by clay layers that do not allow for
infiltration once water has been withdrawn, it is considered safe from surface contamination.
The Fresh Pond is a 2.7-acre lake located halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and Roanoke
Sound and is divided by the municipal boundaries of the Towns of Nags Head and Kill Devil
Hills. The water in the Fresh Pond comes from rainfall as well as some flow from the upper or
first layer of the groundwater aquifer system underlying Dare County. The yield from the Fresh
Pond is estimated at a safe, sustainable level of 900,000 gpd in a years’ time. For emergency
purposes, a withdrawal of 1.5 million gpd is possible for a short duration, the maximum being
four days. This area is a designated Area of Environmental Concern under the CAMA
guidelines due to its water supply status.
Water on Hatteras Island comes from either private wells or the County’s 1.0 million gpd
Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant in the village of Rodanthe for Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo. In the
four villages of Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras, water is supplied by the central RO/Anion
Exchange water system managed by the County Water Department.
The Southern Hatteras fresh water treatment (Anion Exchange) draws its raw water from an
aquifer system that lies underneath Hatteras Island. This system consists of two aquifers; the
first is a water table aquifer extending from the land surface to the first confining beds. The
second aquifer, a semi-confined aquifer, is below and between these confining beds. The fresh
groundwater fluctuates in size, as it is a lens-shaped mass that floats on heavier saltwater and is
subject to seasonal and tidal variations. The aquifer system is recharged by rainfall and the
estimated annual recharge is 2.178 billion gallons based on an average annual rainfall of 50
inches.
The southern Hatteras Island RO treatment draws its raw water from the third or chloride ridden
lower aquifer. The RO process is excellent for removal of chlorides and other salts (>90%) from
the source water. The brackish water is abundant, and is considered a relatively untouched
source of raw water for RO desalination for the future of Hatteras Island.
Fragile Areas
The unique physical setting of Dare County includes a number of features that could be damaged
or destroyed by incompatible development activity. These features include coastal wetlands,
ocean and sound beaches, all surrounding water bodies, unique geological formations, and other
areas susceptible to man’s intrusion.
Many of these unique features have been offered regulatory protection as Areas of
Environmental Concern (AECs) under the Coastal Area Management Act. The AECs are
discussed in detail in Section Two. Although not a designated AEC, Buxton Woods forest is one
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of Dare County’s most unique physical setting. A special zoning district with land clearing
restrictions was adopted for the Buxton Woods forest in 1988 by Dare County. The Federal
and/or State governments have purchased some other special areas and their development
potential has been limited to conservation. These publicly-owned lands include the Cape
Hatteras National Seashore, the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge,
Fort Raleigh complex and the Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve. The Division of Coastal
Management also uses a wetland functional assessment model called the North Carolina Coastal
Region Evaluation of Wetland Significance. This is a watershed-based wetlands functional
assessment model that uses geographic information systems (GIS) software and data to assess
the level of water quality. Wildlife habitat, and hydrologic functions of individual wetlands.
The primary objective of the NCCREWS wetland assessment is to provide users with
information about the relative ecological importance of wetlands for use in planning and overall
management of wetlands. Local governments can use this model as a planning tool to define
suitable classes or types of development or conservation practices for each wetland type to
protect the integrity of the ecosystems and coastal landscape.
In addition, to the Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs), there are other areas or lands that
may be deemed as unsuitable for development or least suitable for development. Some of the
remaining vacant or undeveloped lands may contain soils that are deemed unsuitable to support
septic systems for wastewater treatment and therefore have remained in their undeveloped state.
Throughout the LUP, a high emphasis is placed on surface water quality and ground water
quality. In addition, the relationship between high quality and functional wetlands has been
acknowledged in continued viability of our fisheries and other natural resources. Development
in areas that may be contrary to the protection of these natural resources and water quality should
be evaluated, avoided, or carefully reviewed to insure no unacceptable decline in the natural
resource or water quality will occur as a result of development.
Finally, Dare County’s status as the origin of the first English settlement provides a past rich
with history. Archaeological and historical sites can be found throughout Dare County. The
vast majority of these sites have been inventoried and purchased for preservation, including the
Fort Raleigh site on Roanoke Island and the Wright Brothers Memorial site in Kill Devil Hills.
Areas with Wildlife and Mineral Resources
Areas with wildlife and mineral resources include: productive and unique agricultural lands,
potentially valuable mineral sites, publicly owned forests, parks, fish and gamelands, and other
non-intensive outdoor recreation lands and privately-owned wildlife sanctuaries.
Many of these areas are owned and operated by Federal agencies. The mineral extraction
potential on Federal lands designated as wildlife resource areas or national parks is strictly
regulated by the US Department of the Interior. Similar protection is extended to wildlife
resources on lands owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The remaining privately owned portions of Dare County that have mineral resources include the
Mainland communities of East Lake, Manns Harbor, Mashoes, and Stumpy Point. While there
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have been past discussions of major agricultural development and possible peat mining, to date
these possibilities have not been pursued.
The final category of areas with resource potential are the numerous locations for potential
mining of sand, clay and marl. Mining activities that involve more than one acre of land are
regulated by the State of North Carolina. Activities on land less than one acre in size are not
subject to any regulation at the State or local level. However, in 2001, Dare County did
establish inland sand dunes standards that preclude dune alterations or disturbances unless
associated with building activities or approved by the County.
The State of North Carolina classifies certain farmlands as “prime” farm areas that are suitable
for farming but are also able to support other lands uses because of the suitable soils contained in
these areas. Over the past several years, areas that are considered as “prime” farmland have
been developed as subdivisions resulting in the loss of some of North Carolina’s most valuable
farmland. There is approximately 5,500 acres of “prime” farmland located on the Mainland of
Dare County. However, over 75% of the area is included in the Alligator River National
Wildlife Refuge and the likelihood of development is minimal due to this Federal ownership.
Community Facilities and Services
Over the past several decades, unincorporated Dare County has undergone a transition from
sparsely developed and populated villages to a seasonal resort area featuring a mix of
commercial and residential development. The demand for infrastructure improvements and
public services has increased significantly during this transition period. A discussion of each of
these items as follows:
Water
The major water supply system for all of Dare County, including the municipalities, is the Dare
County Regional Water Supply System (DRWSS). The remaining areas of unincorporated Dare
County not supplied water from either of these two agencies rely on private wells for potable
water.
The provision of drinking water for the public water supply systems on the northern beaches of
Dare County is accomplished by producing water at the Skyco Ion Exchange water plant on
Roanoke Island, the reverse osmosis desalination water treatment facility in Kill Devil Hills, and
the Nags Head managed Fresh Pond surface water facility in Nags Head.
The DRWSS was formed to succeed the Dare Beaches Water Authority as a vehicle to develop
an adequate water supply for the overall northern beaches of the County. The DRWSS is not to
be confused with the Dare County Water System, which provides and maintains the water supply
system for the Towns of Southern Shores and Kitty Hawk. The village of Duck, Colington
Island, and some portions of Roanoke Island are also served by the Dare County Water System.
Concerns about financing, and the need for an authority to finance through issuance of revenue
bonds, led the North Carolina Local Government Commission to recommend that Dare County
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be the political entity responsible for development of an adequate water supply for the Dare
beaches. The County’s involvement began in the early 1970s and led to the development of a
groundwater supply on the southern end of Roanoke Island to supplement the only plant in
operation at that time, the Fresh Pond surface water treatment plant.
Water delivery by the DRWSS to the municipalities began with the first gallons going to the
Town of Manteo on June 20, 1980. Shortly after, in August of 1980, water service to the Towns
of Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head began. Service to the customers in unincorporated areas of
Roanoke Island began a couple of days later with service to the Towns of Southern Shores and
Kitty Hawk and the village of Duck coming on-line later in November and December of 1980.
The initial installation of meters for water service was approximately 1,000 meters. By
September 2001, a total of 19,147 metered service connections were being served through the
main master meters that deliver water to the Towns from the DRWSS, and a total of 23,681
throughout Dare County.
The average annual daily water use for the DRWSS in 2000 was 4.408 MGD. The maximum
monthly average water use for the year 2001 was 8.090 MGD in July with 7.376 MGD for an
average day in August 2000. The minimum’s day usage occurs every year during the winter
months. The lowest consumer usage month was recorded in February when the average
gallonage totaled only 2.974 MGD. The year’s lowest consumer usage day was January 19th
when the entire distribution system used no more than 1.891 million gallons. This creates a
maximum to minimum water usage ratio of almost 5:1. During peak days in the summer months
of 2001, the demand reached as high as 9.035 MGD. Table 11 shows the average monthly water
use in MGD for each month.
Table 11 – Average Monthly Water Use in MGD for 2000
There are 4 major water users who purchase water from the DRWSS and in turn distribute and
maintain their own water systems. Their average daily use is listed in the next table.
January 2.956
February 2.793
March 3.069
April 3.671
May 4.757
June 6.268
July 7.439
August 6.873
September 4.727
October 4.039
November 3.373
December 2.845
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Table 12 – Four Major Wholesale Purchasers for 2000
Name of User Avg. MGD
Dare County 1.843
Kill Devil Hills 1.164
Nags Head 1.030
Manteo 0.198
All groundwater delivered by the DRWSS is produced at either the Skyco plant or the Reverse
Osmosis desalination plant in Kill Devil Hills. Nags Head manages the production of water at its
Fresh Pond surface water treatment facility, which also supplies water for delivery by the
DRWSS.
The Skyco plant is located on the southern half of Roanoke Island. It is supplied by a series of
10 permanent wells drilled down to between 170 and 220 feet below the surface into the upper
Yorktowne aquifer, pulling water at various screened intervals between 120 and 220 feet. The
combined 12-hour yield of all wells is 2.722 MGD and the production capacity exceeds 5.0
MGD. The plant was built in 1979 to supply additional water to the then only sources of
drinking water for the County’s public water supply systems; the Fresh Pond water treatment
plants operated by both the Towns of Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.
The North RO plant is located in Kill Devil Hills on a tract of land known as the Baum tract. It
is presently supplied water by a series of 8 wells drilled down to 425 feet below the surface on
the same tract of land as the plant. Two additional wells were installed for added supply in
December 1994. The North RO plant is supplied raw water from a different and unconnected
portion of the Yorktowne aquifer that supplies the Skyco plant. The combined 12-hour yield of
all wells is 3.600 MGD and production capacity is 3.0 MGD.
The NRO plant was brought on-line in August 1989 to supply additional water when customer
demand approached the upper limits of the production capabilities of the Skyco plant and the
Nags Head Fresh Pond plant. Once the Skyco plant came on-line, there was little need for the
Kill Devil Hills treatment of Fresh Pond water to continue and the plant was dismantled shortly
thereafter.
The Fresh Pond surface water treatment facility is located at the western municipal boundaries of
the Town limits separating Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. This pond is utilized most often
during the peak tourist season in the summer and is the only large surface source of fresh water
on the Outer Banks.
Built in 1964 as the first source of fresh water supply to the original water supply systems of Kill
Devil Hills and Nags Head, this plant can produce almost 1.5 MGD over a short period of time.
Estimates of a long-term, sustained yield of 900,000 gallons per day can be achieved without
causing an unacceptable drain on the pond. There is an estimated 106.2 million gallons of water
in this pond when full.
Total sustained present maximum production capacity of the three treatment plants supplying
water to the DRWSS is 8.9 MGD.
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Throughout Dare County, tourism plays a major part in the future in determining water customer
demand. The following table lists future population and water demand projections until the year
2020.
Table 13 – Future Population and Water Demand
Year County
Population
Year-round
System
Population
% Of
County
Population
Avg. MGD
Day Total Peak MGD
1990 22,746 2.469 6.319
1997 7,764 31.46 9.032
2000 29,967 8,464 26.11 2.694 9.855
2010 37,269 10,538 25.01 3.407 12.463
2020 44,061 12,600 24.30 4.174 15.269
Best estimates point to the fact that an expansion in the production capabilities of the DRWSS
will need to be started well in advance of the anticipated increases in demand prior to the year
2010.
Present production and an additional 18.805 million gallons in storage throughout Dare County’s
northern beaches and Roanoke Island should be sufficient to handle the peak anticipated demand
and fire flow protection until the turn of the century. But, once again, these figures are based on
best calculated, estimated customer demand figures as anticipated in 1997, and should be
reviewed and re-evaluated annually.
Based on the present views of the withdrawals of water from the wellfield on Roanoke Island,
expansions in the production capabilities of the DRWSS will most likely be accomplished with
new wells on the beach and not at the Skyco plant.
The reverse osmosis plant in Kill Devil Hills was built with three RO units installed and room
for the installation of five additional 1.0 MGD reverse osmosis skids for a total plant production
capacity of 8.0 MGD when fully expanded. The installation of two wells per each additional RO
unit installed will be necessary. The anticipated site of these wells is to the south of the present
location of the RO plant. As stated earlier, the expansion of the wellfield and the production of
water must occur prior to customer peak demand reaching 9.855 MGD around the year 2000.
Water for the unincorporated areas of Roanoke Island not serviced by the DRWSS rely on
private wells for potable water, as does the mainland areas of Dare County.
On Hatteras Island, the villages of Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras are serviced by the Dare
County Water Department. Hatteras Island’s economy depends on tourism and this accounts for
wide fluctuations in population during the winter and summer months.
The combination RO/AE water treatment plant processes water drawn from 19 shallow wells,
located in the Buxton Woods surficial aquifer. Four brackish wells in the Mid-Yorktowne
aquifer supply water for RO treatment. The total average recharge on the surficial aquifer is
approximately 7.5 MGD and the average daily withdrawal is .698 MGD.
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The following table illustrates the distributed amounts for each month during 2000. The
minimum water use month was March, with 0.438 MGD. The maximum water use month was
July at 1.098 MGD, with the peak day on July 4th at 1.223 MGD.
Table 14- Average Distribution MGD
January 0.491
February 0.518
March 0.438
April 0.601
May 0.732
June 0.974
July 1.098
August 0.987
September 0.702
October 0.704
November 0.590
December 0.445
The other Hatteras Island villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo rely on private wells and the
County’s 1.0 MGD RO Plant for potable water. The private well water in these villages, while
safe for drinking, is of poor quality.
The following table illustrates the distributed amounts for each month during the year 2000. The
minimum water use month was January with 63 thousand gallons used per day. The maximum
water use month was July, with a daily water use of 0.367 MGD. This is also during the peak
tourist season and the peak was July 6th 2000 with a usage of 0.468 MGD.
Table 15 – 2000 Monthly Distributions
January 0.063 mgd
February 0.049 mgd
March 0.075 mgd
April 0.141 mgd
May 0.168 mgd
June 0.301 mgd
July 0.367 mgd
August 0.327 mgd
September 0.199 mgd
October 0.158 mgd
November 0.128 mgd
December 0.076 mgd
The Stumpy Point water system project, when completed around the beginning of the year 2003,
will provide the County’s first public water supply on the Mainland from two brackish water
wells drilled to 170-190 feet deep located within the plant site. The reverse osmosis (RO)
process will desalt the water using a RO unit that can produce 64,000 gallons per day (gpd). The
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average water system usage is calculated to be approximately 15,000 gpd with a peak summer
day usage of 36,350 gallons. The RO unit will store processed water in a 10,000-gallon tank on
the ground level adjacent to the plant. This water will then be pumped 145 feet up into the
75,000 gallon elevated tank to maintain the system pressure anticipated to be at least 50 pounds
per square inch throughout the system.
Source: Bob Oreskovich, Dare County Utilities Director
As noted throughout the information provided by the Dare County Utilities Director, the future
capacity of the water infrastructure over the next 10 year period is careful monitored and re-evaluated
each year.
Wastewater
Publicly owned wastewater treatment in Dare County is only available from the Town of
Manteo, which operates a central wastewater treatment plant. The capacity of this plant is
600,000 gpd with current demand usage at approximately 200,000 gpd. The Town does offer
excess wastewater capacity to projects within the unincorporated areas of Roanoke Island that
are adjacent to its service boundaries. It is recognized that these projects that choose to use the
central wastewater treatment from Manteo will eventually be annexed by the Town. There is
little prospect for other publicly owned central wastewater treatment plants due to environmental
constraints with surface water discharge and a lack of suitable soils for land application.
There are several privately owned and operated central wastewater treatment plants in Dare
County. The two are located within the County’s unincorporated boundaries. The Baycliff
Subdivision in Colington features a small package treatment plant for this residential
subdivision. The Kinnakeet Shores Soundside Subdivision is also serviced by a central package
treatment plant. The soundside residential phases of this division and the commercial complex
known as the Hatteras Island Plaza are connected to this treatment plant. There are other
privately owned plants are located within the municipalities of the County.
On-site septic tank and drainfield systems serve as the predominant method of wastewater
treatment in Dare County. In situations where the intensity of land use or soil limitations
preclude the use of a traditional septic system, alternative engineered methods of wastewater
treatment have been used. These include low-pressure systems and peat systems. These
systems have become more popular in the past several months, but their maintenance record
remains unknown since the use of the systems is relatively new in North Carolina.
Transportation
The island geography of Dare County greatly influences the transportation infrastructure.
Bridges are a key component of this infrastructure and serve as entryways to Dare County,
except on the southern end of Hatteras Island, which is accessed by ferry service from Ocracoke
Island. Most travel within the County occurs on two arterial routes, NC 12 and US 158. US
158 runs north-south from Southern Shores to the Whalebone area of Nags Head. NC 12 runs
north-south from the Dare/Currituck line north of Duck to the southern end of the County in
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Hatteras Island. Movements on and off the outer islands to the west are confined to US 64/264
through the Mainland and on US 158 along the Currituck Sound Bridge. Ferry service from
Hatteras village also serves as an alternative egress from Hatteras Island.
Traffic flows within the County vary according to the roadway section, season, and day of the
week. Typical of a resort area, the roadway system in Dare County experiences sizable
variations in traffic demands. The following table illustrates average daily traffic counts
provided by NCDOT for several key locations in Dare County.
Table 16 – Average Daily Traffic Count for 2000
Approximate Location of Counter ADT for 2000
NC 12 Between Duck and Sanderling 12,000
US 158 --Wal-Mart Shopping Center 28,000
US 158 – Kitty Hawk/ south of Duck exchange 30,000
US 158 - Colington Road Intersection 34,000
US 158 – Nags Head/Whalebone Junction 22,000
NC 12 – Southern Shores 18,000
NC 12 – Ocean Bay Blvd. Intersection 9,000
NC 12 – Nags Head/Jennette’s Pier 7,700
NC 12 – south of entrance to Pea Island 7,800
NC 12 – Avon 7,800
NC 12 – Buxton 6,200
US 64 – Nags Head Causeway/Pond Island 20,000
US 64 – East Lake/ Alligator River Bridge 2,900
US 64/264 Intersection 3,600
US 64 – Causeway west of Pirate Coves 17,000
US 64 – Roanoke Island/COA entrance 15,000
NC 345 – Just south of Midway Intersection 5,600
The island geography of Dare County also makes bridges an essential component of expedited
traffic movement. This factor is critical in determining time necessary to evacuate the County
during a hurricane event. The time will vary based on the time of the year and the seasonal
population. During the peak periods, it could take as long as 27 hours to evacuate and during
off-season periods, it is estimated to take between 13 and 18 hours.
Since the mid 1990s, there have been several large transportation construction projects
completed including,
• Construction of a second parallel bridge spanning Currituck Sound
• Widening of the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway to 4 lanes
• Various 4-lane improvements to Route 158 in Currituck County and Dare County
• A high-rise replacement of the drawbridge across Roanoke Sound.
A new bridge from Manns Harbor to the intersection of US 64 and NC 345 on Roanoke Island is
currently under construction and is slated for completion in late 2002. A new visitors center will
be constructed at the landing of this bridge site.
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Other projects included in the State’s Transportation Improvement program over the next ten-years
include:
• Construction of a flyover at the intersection of US 64/NC 345 on Roanoke Island for traffic
heading to the northern beaches and Hatteras Island.
• Replacement of the Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet
• Continued widening of US 64 to four lanes through East Lake and Manns Harbor
Perhaps the most important transportation issue in Dare County is the protection of NC 12 on the
northern beaches and Hatteras Island. Ocean overwash and erosion have endangered portions of
NC 12 in Kitty Hawk and along Hatteras Island. The NC Department of Transportation has
made the stabilization of the threatened portions of NC 12 a priority project. A task force was
appointed in the late 1990s to study NC 12 and several improvements, including relocation of
several portions of NC 12 on Hatteras Island, have been completed as the result of this task
force’s work.
The safety of US 158 and the seasonal traffic increases were a high priority of the persons
attending the public participation workshops held at the beginning of the update process.
Bicycle/walkways along many of the major transportation routes in the County have been
constructed over the last seven years and these alternate transportation routes are popular among
residents and visitors to the area. Plans for similar improvements, including widening of NC 12
in Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk are underway.
Dare County has limited capacity of other modes of transportation. Air transportation is limited
to the Dare County Regional Airport on Roanoke Island, the First Flight Airport in Kill Devil
Hills, and the Billy Mitchell Airstrip on Hatteras Island. At present, there are no scheduled
passenger services by a regional carrier. Past attempts to establish a commuter service to the
Norfolk Airport have failed due to lack of passengers. A proposal to extend the runways at the
Dare County Regional Airport has been reviewed by the Airport Authority. However, there is
local opposition to this proposal and environmental constraints as well. In addition to serving
the civil aviations needs of Dare County, these three airports have served as important staging
centers for aviation-related activities during hurricanes and other storm events.
Dare County is not served by any bus or railroad operations however there are a number of taxi
services available for hire.
In order for Dare County to successfully address its transportation needs a greater emphasis on
intergovernmental coordination will need to be developed. The roads in unincorporated Dare
County are maintained by NCDOT, as is the highway system.
As the traffic congestion problem continues to grow there will be a greater need to look into
dependable public transportation and alternative means of movement such as water taxis and
perhaps more ferries. It appears that a regional approach will also be necessary if Dare County is
to ever achieve the goal of scheduled commuter airline service.
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As of the date of this plan, there are insufficient funds at the State level to accommodate all of
the demands generated by automobile traffic, particularly during the peak population periods.
The County will continue to work with its delegation in the General Assembly and the N.C.
Department of Transportation to secure additional transportation improvements to insure safe
movement of people and automobiles.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement in Dare County is administered at various levels of government ranging from
Federal enforcement agencies to municipal police departments.
The National Park Service has personnel who patrol the south beaches of Dare County that are
included in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The State Highway Patrol has officers
stationed in Dare County with Countywide jurisdiction but focus mainly on the unincorporated
Dare County.
In 2001, the Sheriff’s Department employed 53 deputies plus the Sheriff and administrative staff.
The Department has offices located on Roanoke Island, Hatteras Island and in Kill Devil Hills.
The Sheriff’s Department is also responsible for staffing and managing the Dare County
Detention Center located on Roanoke Island. The jail has a total capacity of 122 inmates with
room for 110 male inmates and 12 female inmates. The jail employs approximately 48 detention
officers. The Communications Department is also under the supervision of the Sheriff.
The municipalities in Dare County operate their own police departments. These departments
provide mutual aid to other law enforcements agencies when necessary.
Fire Protection
Fire protection is provided throughout the 860 plus square miles of Dare County by 350
volunteer and career firefighters in 16 individual fire districts that support 18 fire stations. The
Towns of Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo make up the
five municipal fire districts with the Town of Duck being the sixth starting in May 2002.
The unincorporated fire districts of Dare County are Martins Point, Colington, Manns Harbor,
Stumpy Point, Hatteras, Frisco, Buxton, Avon, Salvo, Rodanthe-Waves, and Roanoke Island.
These departments are funded through a fire district tax that is collected by the Dare County and
distributed under a fire protection contract.
Wild land fire suppression is provided in a joint effort by US Fish and Wildlife, US Park Service,
and the NC Department of Forestry, by contractual agreement, also protects lands of the US
Navy and Air Force bombing ranges.
The Dare County Fire Marshal acts as the liaison between the Dare County Board of
Commissioners and its fire districts and is also responsible for the enforcement of the NC State
Fire Code, does fire investigations, and cause and origin determinations. This office maintains a
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county- wide fire data reporting system and is active in the area of fire prevention, designing
programs in education that are geared toward all of our County citizens.
Public Schools
The education system in Dare County is directed by an elected seven-member Board of
Education. A superintendent in charge of the administrative duties of the school system is
appointed by the Board of Education. Funding for the school system is a combination of State
funds and local funds allocated by the Dare County Board of Education.
The school system consists of nine facilities located throughout Dare County. Specifics for the
schools are detailed below:
Table 17 - School Enrollment
School Grades Capacity Enrollment
Sept 2001
Kitty Hawk Elementary K-5 696 701
Manteo Elementary K-5 672 530
First Flight Elementary K-5 528 599
Cape Hatteras Elementary K-5 288 293
Manteo Middle 6-8 396 350
First Flight Middle 6-8 650 702
Cape Hatteras Secondary 6-12 553 366
Manteo High 9-12 720 1,133
Dare