Mecklenburg County government, North Carolina, like other governmental agencies across the country, is taking advantage of technology and providing services that individuals would have traditionally had to do in person or on the phone. Individuals can get the information they need online in the convenience of their office. Providing such services online not only saves the individual time from not having to leave their office to drive to the county building or wait for a staff member to return a call, but it saves the county time as well because it frees up staff members, who are then able to dedicate their time to other tasks and customers.
Online Mecklenburg County government services that are of benefit to businesses include:
1. Mecklenburg County government real estate and deed information
2. Building permit and inspection services
3. GIS applications and services
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Access the Mecklenburg County government official website for real estate and deed information
Mecklenburg County government services include online real estate property searches, which enables individuals to query property ownership, legal property description, property values and land use for parcels. In addition, one may utilize the Mecklenburg County, NC government online search engine to research deeds.
I recommend: Working with Mecklenburg County, NC Government online search engine saves individuals time and money by having the ability to research real property and deed information from their place of business.
Utilize Mecklenburg County Government offices online permit and inspection services
Working with Mecklenburg County, NC Government online permit and inspection services allows individuals to not only query permit and inspection activity by street address or permit number, but also to check the status of plans. Contractors may utilize the Mecklenburg County Government center online services to create an account that they may log onto to submit permits and schedule inspections.
I recommend: Create an account with the Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Internet Permitting and Inspection System to have the ability to conduct business online such as submitting permits, scheduling inspections and checking the status of plans online.
Utilize Mecklenburg County Government Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services
The State of North Carolina government, Mecklenburg County and a local chamber of commerce joined forces to create an economic GIS resource that allows users to locate vacant land to develop, building space to lease, real estate industrial and office submarkets, as well as obtain census boundary, zoning and transportation network information. Users are able to get a feel for the area by selecting the 2007 aerial photography layer. Individuals in need of custom maps for their projects may obtain them from the Custom Map Shop.
I recommend: Utilize Economic GIS to locate vacant land, building space for lease, zoning and transportation network information in Mecklenburg County North Carolina. Government departments, such as the Custom Map Shop, can produce GIS maps for your projects for a fee.
Mecklenburg County, NC government offices are located in Charlotte, the county seat and the largest of the seven municipalities within the county. With a population of around one million, Mecklenburg is one of the most populated counties in the state and one of the largest urban areas in the United States.
Mecklenburg County has experienced steady growth and is expected to continue in that direction. Reasonable housing prices and cost of living expenses, a mix of urban and suburban settings and developed highway and mass transportation systems make it an attractive location for residents and businesses.
Current and prospective residents can get access to information online. Mecklenburg County government provides several Internet resources, including:
1. Access to Mecklenburg County government services and records;
2. Online resources for starting a business;
3. Internet access to local ordinances.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Access Mecklenburg County government listings and records
Many online services are offered on line on the Mecklenburg County government official website, including access to records.
I recommend: Search property information for the county through the Mecklenburg County Real Estate Lookup System or the Property Ownership and Land Records Information System (POLARIS.) Look up birth, death and marriage records at the Mecklenburg County, NC Register of Deeds
Locate individual Mecklenburg County government offices and information
Individual municipalities within Mecklenburg County enact ordinances and zoning laws, set tax rates and process building permits and business licenses.
I recommend: Find links to the City of Charlotte and the other municipalities in Mecklenburg County on the county website. Most municipalities in the county use either Municode or American Legal Publishing to codify their ordinances. These companies provide online access to ordinances. You can view each article or search for specific phrases.
Get information about business services provided by Mecklenburg County government
Mecklenburg County government and other local organizations provide a wealth of resources for relocating your business or starting a new one.
I recommend: Mecklenburg's Small Business Opportunity site provides financial and technical resources and assistance, opportunities for contractors and other information. The Economic Development Office provides a number of business assistance programs and revitalization information. Find local business events at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Find available commercial property at the Carolinas Real Data website.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • According to Mecklenburg County government and independent research organizations, the industries that are growing in the Mecklenburg area include bio-tech, aerospace and defense, finance, automotive and motor sports, medical devices and plastics, among others. Make sure your skills or business services meet the needs of the Mecklenburg County market.
- • Before you build or renovate property or start a business, get in touch with Mecklenburg County government. NC building codes are followed throughout the state, but the county and individual municipalities may have additional requirements and processes.
Mecklenburg County, NC government, like other jurisdictions nationwide, ha laws and regulations in place designed to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens. There are however, laws and regulations that lawmakers specifically designed for development activity. For instance, new development may require the developer to make road improvements to mitigate increased traffic congestion, or incorporate an impact fee into their construction costs dedicated to water and sewer infrastructure, storm water management, open space or public safety such as police and fire services.
Other Mecklenburg County government laws and regulations pertaining to development that one must adhere to include:
1. Mecklenburg County government building code regulations
2. Rezoning and annexation regulations
3. Bonding program regulations
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Contact Mecklenburg County government services for building code regulations
Mecklenburg County government, NC adheres to the State Building Code Book regulations to ensure safe construction practices. The Department of Code Enforcement is responsible for enforcing building code requirements throughout the construction process. In addition, they also provide services and assistance to contractors and developers on issues such as commercial code interpretations, plan review, sprinkler and fire alarm requirements and information regarding plan submittals.
I recommend: Obtain a copy of the North Carolina Building Code for detailed information on building code laws and regulations for Mecklenburg County, NC Government. The Department of Code Enforcement can also provide further information and assistance regarding building codes and other commercial development regulations for Mecklenburg County.
Contact the Mecklenburg County Government Planning Department for rezoning and annexation info
The Planning Department oversees rezoning and annexation laws and regulations for the Mecklenburg County, NC government. If one opts to enter the rezoning process in order to achieve a zoning classification that is desirable to their development interests, they must file an application and pay the appropriate fees to begin the process that involves public hearings, a review and recommendation from the Planning Department's Zoning Committee and final decision from the elected board. Annexation involves extending the boundaries - and services such as public water and sewer and public safety - of a city into an unincorporated area.
I recommend: Contact the Mecklenburg county government center to obtain information on rezoning and annexation from the Planning Department.
Contact the Mecklenburg County Government Engineering and Property Management Department for bonds
As in other jurisdictions, bonding is required of developers by various levels of North Carolina government. Mecklenburg County has a bonding program in place to ensure completion of improvements such as sidewalks, streets, and storm drains should the developer fail to complete as required by regulation.
I recommend: Refer to the Mecklenburg County Government official website to gain information regarding their bond program and various surety types.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Peruse Mecklenburg County government listings on their website to identify other business-friendly services or links to online services provided to businesses by the State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County Government or the City of Charlotte.
Mecklenburg County is the most populated county in the state of North Carolina. The city of Charlotte, town of Davidson and University of North Carolina – Charlotte are in Mecklenburg County. In terms of transportation, Mecklenburg County’s transportation infrastructure, such as the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, railroads, light rail, mass transit and interstates plays a part in the county’s economic development.
Knowledge of Mecklenburg County’s agencies and the services they provide enables businesses to complete matters in a timely manner.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Property Ownership and Land Records Information System
The Property Ownership and Land Records Information System (POLARIS) allows users to query parcels by name, street address, road intersection, road name, interstate exit, preliminary plan name and map grid. POLARIS also allows the user to turn layers such as zip codes, highways and water bodies on and off.
I recommend: Refer to the Property Ownership and Land Records Information System for information on its varied uses.
Real Estate Lookup
Real Estate Lookup is an online application that allows users to research tax assessment records that contain information such as property ownership, legal property description, property value, land use, deeds and tax bills.
I recommend: For more information, refer to Mecklenburg County’s Real Estate Lookup website.
Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds provides services such as issuing marriage licenses and military discharge records, and notarizing documents. The Register of Deeds is also responsible for recording real estate and business documents and providing copies of documents such as birth and death certificates.
I recommend: Refer to the Mecklenburg County’s Register of Deeds for more information.
Economic Development Office
Mecklenburg County's Economic Development Office provides a variety of services to businesses, such as the Business Revitalization Program. This program provides financial assistance to businesses for improving their commercial property, expanding their operations, operating a business organization and redeveloping environmentally contaminated sites.
I recommend: For more information on services provided, refer to Mecklenburg County’s Economic Development Office.
Internet Permitting and Inspection System
Mecklenburg County's Internet Permitting and Inspection System allows individuals to view permits and inspections, plan review status and permit inspector for your project. Contractors may also use this application to submit permits and schedule inspections.
I recommend: For more information, refer to Mecklenburg County’s Internet Permitting and Inspection System website.
Economic Development GIS
Mecklenburg County's Economic Development GIS is an interactive online mapping resource that allows businesses to research potential site locations geospatially and make an informed decision based on information provided. Users can search by street address, parcel number, business type, vacant land, recent construction, buildings for lease and demographic radii and print query results.
I recommend: Refer to Mecklenburg County’s Economic Development GIS website for more information.
