New Hanover County launches customer-focused land development tool
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – New Hanover County has launched a new land development tool called COAST (Customer Online Application & Services Tool), for customers to submit applications and obtain permits from the county.
This new system is a partnership between New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington, and provides customers with better access to information, the ability to see exactly where permits are in the process, improved reporting capabilities, easy online fee payments, and a more streamlined process across all development applications and permits in the county.
“Two years ago, New Hanover County staff began the process to create a sustainable software for all things development related, which is an incredibly quick turnaround time for a system of this magnitude,” said County Manager Chris Coudriet. “From the beginning, we brought members of the development community together to help make this system the best it can be. With their feedback and the work of our team, COAST is going to make doing business with the county much easier; and it will help create a seamless, transparent and predictable process for our customers.”
COAST’s first phase, which launched today, includes all commercial and residential building processes, trade permits, new commercial and residential site processes, rezoning and subdivision permits and appeals, and engineering processes for New Hanover County. The system will also incorporate Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, City of Wilmington Zoning, and City Fire in the review steps. Additional development processes, as well as standalone city processes, are expected to be implemented within the next year.
Customers who prefer not to create an online account in COAST are still welcome to submit development applications in person at the county’s Development Services Center, located at 230 Government Center Drive in Wilmington.
Learn more at NHCgov.com/COAST.
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