A rezoning occurs when a property owner or developer wants to change the use of the property from one use or density to another.  A rezoning case can be either straight (such as R-40 to R-12), or conditional (such as R-40- to R-12-Conditional Use) or to Planned Development District (such as R-40 to Planned Development District, or PDD).

Rezoning requests can be made at the same time as a request for annexation. The Town Council considers rezoning requests after holding a public hearing and referring the request to the Planning and Zoning Board for a recommendation. The Planning and Development Services Department reviews requests for compliance with land use, utility, transportation, parks and other plans.

For more information on the process, please refer to the Rezoning Process Flowchart.  

Rezoning Process

Pre-Application Conference

A pre-application conference is not required, but highly recommended before an application is filed.  Applicants will meet with representatives from various departments to discuss their  proposal and learn about the rezoning process, schedule and fees.  

Rezoning Application and Acceptance

Staff reviews completed applications for accuracy and completeness generally within 5 to 7 business days.  Once the application has been deemed sufficient fees will be collected.  Most Neighborhood Meetings are scheduled approximately 6 to 8 weeks following the confirmation of the rezoning payment. 

All rezoning applications are accepted online through our electronic plan review portal. Please review the rezoning application submittal process.  

Neighborhood Meeting

Neighborhood meetings provide an opportunity for applicants to present information on new rezoning requests and receive feedback from nearby property owners prior to the formal public hearing.  The neighborhood meeting will be held in a virtual format (via WebEx and phone access).  Visit our Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting page to view the tentative calendar.

Public Hearings

At least one public hearing is required before Town Council.   If further changes occur to the application, the Town Council may hold a second hearing.

Planning and Zoning Board

The Planning and Zoning Board will review the rezoning request and make a determination of consistency or inconsistency with the Image Cary Community Plan.  

Town Council Decision

After reviewing Planning staff and the Planning Board's recommendations, the Town Council makes a decision. A simple majority of the council decides the rezoning.

Who May File Rezoning Requests

Rezoning requests may be initiated by the Town Council, Planning and Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, or any owner of a legal or equitable interest in land within Cary or its extra-territorial jurisdiction.