The Planning Department advises citizens, staff, and elected officials on policies for land use, housing, transportation, zoning, and growth management. The department manages and administers the provisions in the Land Development Ordinance through the review of land development (entitlement) applications and various types of Permits. The Town's land use and development vision, as well as its long-range goals, are outlined in the Comprehensive Plan, which serves as the basis for all future policy decisions regarding land use and growth. Upon and as directed by the Board of Commissioners, the department also conducts long-range studies, performs and reports on research, and generally provides information sharing.
Rolesville’s jurisdiction includes the Town’s corporate limits and, in accordance with General Statute 160D-202, for the purposes of zoning, subdivision, and land development regulations, parts of unincorporated Wake County referred to as Rolesville’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
The Town has adopted Annexation Agreements with the Town of Wake Forest and the City of Raleigh for the unincorporated (County jurisdiction) lands in between them to the west/northwest and south/southwest, respectively. Find out if your property is in Rolesville’s Town Limits or ETJ by viewing the zoning map.
Community participation is essential to the planning process. Your input and ideas have merit and value, and the Town staff welcomes your insight and feedback. Please submit your thoughts to planning@rolesvillenc.gov.
To learn more, please select one of the four main work programs below.
In October of 2025, the Board of Commissioners adopted the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, which focuses on a long-range vision for the community over the next 15 to 25 years. The plan intends to continue guiding efforts to enhance the quality of life for Rolesville residents, visitors, and business owners.
Based on this approved document, planning staff reviews Voluntary Annexation petitions, Rezoning Map Amendments, and, to some degree, Amendments to the Land Development Ordinance. Also critical is participation in regional and multi-municipal efforts, such as the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and various aspects of Wake County and the City of Raleigh's Public Utility endeavors.
Current planning focuses on the immediate, day-to-day administration of land development, zoning, and subdivision regulations.
This is the management and review of Land Development Applications, also known as land entitlements. These include policy considerations for Voluntary Annexation petitions and Rezoning requests, as well as construction-oriented plan sets for preliminary and final subdivisions, construction infrastructure drawings, and (non-residential) Site Development Plans.
- Project Review: Evaluating commercial, industrial, and residential projects for compliance.
- Public Notification: Informing the public about pending land-use changes and legislative hearings.
- Support: Providing support to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Town Board, and various council-appointed committees regarding planning-related issues
- Zoning Administration: Reviewing site plans, home occupations, and special use permits.
For additional information on submitting a Voluntary Annexation petition, Rezoning Request, Construction Drawing, Final Subdivision Plan, Preliminary Site Plan, or a Site Development Plan, please visit the Submittal Process webpage.
This involves the Administrative management, review, and issuance of various types of Permits and certificates, including Certificates of Occupancy/Certificates of Completion/Certificates of Compliance.
- The Town partners with Wake County Inspections & Permits Department and utilizes its 'Permit Portal' (ENERGOV) as the platform for permit processing; via this, Wake County implements its' adopted Building Code.
- The Wake County Fire Department implements the Fire Code via Permits.
- Permitting often also involves the City of Raleigh Utility Department when water/sewer services are involved. All permits are obtained and paid for through the Wake County Permit Portal and the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Permit Portal.
For additional information regarding permits, please visit the Permits webpage.
First, there is education about, and as needed, the enforcement of the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) on private property. Examples are fence location/height/materials; signage; or construction activity without required permits.
Note that subjects relating to the Town Code of Ordinances (all other adopted laws not including the LDO), such as property maintenance (i.e., high weeds & grass), activities occurring in a public right-of-way, or reported violations of the Noise Ordinance, are enforced by other Town departments, principally Town Administration or the Town Police Department.