Planning and Development Regulation
- Chapel Hill, NCThis course is also available online.September 8 - 11, 2025October 6 - 9, 2025November 12 - 14, 2025
- , This course is also available online.March 23 - 27, 2026April 20 - 24, 2026May 20 - 22, 2026
The 2025 offering of Planning and Development Regulation will be offered in a hybrid format. Some sessions will be in-person and others will be online. See below for a schedule overview.
This course encompasses topics from our courses previously known as "Foundations in Development Regulation," "Zoning Practices" and "Zoning Official Certification" including: Development Ordinances, Statutory Authority, Constitutional Limits, Quasi-judicial Procedures, Annexation and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, Comprehensive Planning, Land Development Permitting, Permitting Authority, Site Plan and Subdivision Review, Development Standards, Development Exactions and Growth Management, Development Regulations, Inspections and Enforcement, Interpreting the Ordinance, Liability, Conflicts and Open Governance.
This is an application course. Participants will complete an application and payment will not be due unless accepted.
Applications will be accepted from May 15th through July 1, 2025. You will receive notification of your application status by July 15, 2025.
Schedule overview below. View the preliminary agenda HERE (subject to change).
Session 1: Development Ordinances - September 8-11, 2025
This session will be held online via Zoom.
Addressing the legal framework for planning and development regulations in North Carolina, this course covers statutory authority, constitutional limits, and rules for decision-making such as quasi-judicial procedures. Additionally, this course covers jurisdictional topics such as annexation and extraterritorial jurisdiction as well as comprehensive planning.
Session 2: Plans, Plats & Permits - October 6-9, 2025
This session will be held online via Zoom.
Addressing the policies and practices of land development permitting, this course covers permitting authority, site plan and subdivision review, and development standards. Additionally, this course covers development exactions and growth management.
Session 3: Land Use Administration and CZO Exam - November 12-14, 2025
This session will be held in-person ONLY at the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill.
Addressing the legal and practical considerations of administering development regulations, this course covers inspections and enforcement, interpreting the ordinance, and other duties of the zoning officer. Additionally, this course covers liability, conflicts, and open governance obligations.
Format: The courses will be a mix of in-person and online class time via Zoom (synchronous class meetings) and prework including videos, reading, and reflection (asynchronous assignments).
Connection and equipment needs: Participants will need stable internet connection, access to Zoom (the desktop application is prefered), and video capabilities.
Pre-Requisites: While some experience is helpful for general knowledge of the topics and success in the course, there are no pre-requisites to take the PDR series.
Members of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) and Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), who are local government employees, are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards tuition for conferences, classes, and seminars offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:
- March 1 (for courses starting between April 1 and June 30)
- June 1 (for courses starting between July 1 and September 30)
- September 1 (for courses starting between October 1 and December 31)
- December 1 (for courses starting between January 1 and March 31)
Additional information
Certification: Students who complete all sessions can take the Certified Zoning Official exam at the conclusion.
CZO Certification: For more information regarding criteria and maintenance for CZO certification, click HERE.
CZO Certification Manual HERE
Planning and Development Regulation Resource Site: The Site focuses on planning and land use law issues within the state of North Carolina. The resource website contains links to external resource sites, recent blogs, hot topics, the new Bill List for 2013, a link to sign up for the NCPlan Listserv, publications and course information. Click this link: NC Planning
Join the NCPlan Listserv: You may also wish to sign up for the NCPlan Listserv where you can see related emails and post questions to your peers. Link to sign up: SOG Listservs
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course is approved with the American Planning Association for AICP credits.
- Chapel Hill, NCThis course is also available online.September 8 - 11, 2025October 6 - 9, 2025November 12 - 14, 2025Knapp-Sanders
400 South Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514View Scholarship InformationMembers of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) and Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), who are local government employees, are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards tuition for conferences, classes, and seminars offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:
- March 1 (for courses starting between April 1 and June 30)
- June 1 (for courses starting between July 1 and September 30)
- September 1 (for courses starting between October 1 and December 31)
- December 1 (for courses starting between January 1 and March 31)
- ,This course is also available online.March 23 - 27, 2026April 20 - 24, 2026May 20 - 22, 2026View Scholarship Information
Members of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) and Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), who are local government employees, are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards tuition for conferences, classes, and seminars offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:
- March 1 (for courses starting between April 1 and June 30)
- June 1 (for courses starting between July 1 and September 30)
- September 1 (for courses starting between October 1 and December 31)
- December 1 (for courses starting between January 1 and March 31)
Members of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) and Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), who are local government employees, are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards tuition for conferences, classes, and seminars offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:
- March 1 (for courses starting between April 1 and June 30)
- June 1 (for courses starting between July 1 and September 30)
- September 1 (for courses starting between October 1 and December 31)
- December 1 (for courses starting between January 1 and March 31)
All course materials, including pre-work, the exam and logistical details are provided in Canvas, a learning management system. Please click the link below for detailed instructions on setting up your Canvas account. If you've already set up an account for this or for another School of Government course, click HERE to log in to Canvas.
Registrants will receive the following textbooks via mail:
Quasi-Judicial Handbook, David Owens and Adam Lovelady
Land Subdivision Regulation in NC, Adam Lovelady
Intro to Zoning and Development Regulation, David Owens
Schedule Overview
Session 1: Development Ordinances
September 8-11, 2025 (Online via Zoom)
Session 2: Plans, Plats & Permits
October 6-9, 2025 (Online via Zoom)
Session 3: Land Use Administration & CZO Exam
November 12-14, 2025 (In-Person, UNC School of Government, Chapel Hill)
