An owner-initiated annexation is a request by a property owner who wants to be annexed into Cary’s corporate boundaries.   

Land Development Ordinance (LDO) 3.1.10 Owner-Initiated Annexation Petitions

A Pre-Application Meeting is required at least seven days before an application is filed.  Staff will explain the annexation process and review the application and associated fees.

Staff will research the property to confirm it qualifies for annexation into Cary under State Law and whether public utility services and other Cary services would be available. 

To schedule a meeting, email 311@carync.gov with the subject heading of Pre-Application Meeting for Annexation.  Include the following information:

• Address of property
• PIN 10#
• Reason for request

Contiguous annexations are when the land abuts Cary’s primary corporate limits.   

A satellite annexation is a parcel of land that is not abutting Cary’s primary corporate limits on any of its boundaries. 

An owner-initiated annexation petition is effective immediately upon adoption by Cary’s Council.  Once approved, Cary services are available to new citizens.  Learn more about Cary’s services and the application process online.  

The following services are available to new citizens:  

• weekly curbside solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection
• storm debris collection and street cleaning, including snow plowing
• annual curbside leaf collection
• street maintenance including pothole repair and resurfacing for Cary-owned streets
• parks, recreation, and cultural resources activities
• police and fire protection services from nationally accredited departments
• opportunity to submit a request for sidewalks as well as water and sewer utilities
• the right to vote in Cary Council elections and  
• the opportunity to be considered for citizen advisory boards and commissions.

After the application has been reviewed and deemed complete, the process may take three to six months.  However, if there is a rezoning associated with the annexation, the annexation may be delayed to coincide with the rezoning approval.  The rezoning process typically takes about 10-12 months, but it may take longer. 

Annexation Process Flow Chart

Rezoning Process Flow Chart

A complete annexation petition with all the supporting materials: 

• Appropriate County Parcel ID Number (PIN), as shown in the county's tax record for the property(ies) or a complete copy of the last deed of record for EACH parcel. Locate this information using the Property Research Map.  If property ownership differs from the county’s tax record, applicant must submit a complete copy of the deed of record for each parcel.
• An 18” x 24” digital annexation boundary survey map signed and sealed by a registered surveyor. The survey must show the entire area clearly outlined and must not include any area in adjacent public right-of-way.
• A sealed written metes and bounds description of the annexation area must be submitted digitally in a PDF format and a Word version of the description for insertion into approval documents. 
• If the area proposed for annexation is not contiguous to Cary’s primary corporate limits, the annexation boundary survey must show the relationship of the area to be annexed to the primary corporate limits.
• If the area proposed for annexation is not contiguous to Cary’s primary corporate limits AND is within an existing subdivision, ALL lots within the subdivision must be included in the petition.
• Additional materials requested by staff.
• Payment for the annexation will be requested once the application is deemed complete and may be paid online.  

Petitions totaling less than 3 acres - $100

Petitions totaling 3+ acres - $300 

Legal owners of property within Cary or its extra-territorial jurisdiction, or their legal representative, may file an annexation petition to the Planning Department. 

The petition must be signed by all property owners as listed on county real estate record. 

Applications are reviewed electronically. Set up an account on our Electronic Plan Review Portal using your email address.  (Instructions for submitting an electronic application) Once your account is verified by email, login to the portal and fill out the form by answering all questions.  After you complete the application, you will have an opportunity to upload the required files (see section below).

Log in to the electronic plan review portal and select the correct county,  jurisdiction and the  following responses to get started: 

Owner-Initiated Annexation Petition 

The correct signature page is required with the application. Submit a draft without signatures and notary for staff to review. Once staff deems the correct form has been submitted with the correct names you will be asked to provide the original forms. 

Property Owned by INDIVIDUALS
Property Owned by a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Property Owned by General Partnership, Limited Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership
Property Owned by CORPORATION

Supporting resources:  

LDO 3.1.10 Owner-Initiated Annexation Petitions

4.1.3 Annexed lands and Lands added to the Town’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction

NC General Statute 160D-108 or 160D.108.1 (Permit choice and vested rights and Vested rights – site specific vesting plans)