Street Closings and Renaming

RIGHT-OF-WAY WITHDRAWAL

Per North Carolina General Statute 136-96 and Durham City Charter § 51.2, a right-of-way that has been dedicated but not opened and used by the public within 15 years from the dedication of the right-of-way may be eligible for withdrawal. Any public improvement in the right-of-way, including utilities, is considered public use.

Upon receipt of a complete Right-of-way Withdrawal Application the City will review the draft plat and application. If the City does not accept the right-of-way within 30 days of the receipt of an application, once comments are addressed and the draft plat showing the Right-of-way Withdrawal is deemed to be correct and complete, it is approved/stamped and can be recorded at the Register of Deeds Office, along with an approved Declaration of Withdrawal.

If the City determines that the right-of-way has already been accepted for maintenance by the City or the City formally accepts the dedication within 30 days of receipt of the letter, the right-of-way may not be withdrawn. The street closing process would be required if the applicant intends to continue pursuing removal of the right-of-way.

Street Closing

A dedicated street that has been improved may be closed through the public hearing process by the appropriate governing body (City Council, if City jurisdiction, Board of County Commissioners, if County jurisdiction), and in the case of streets in the County’s jurisdiction, by the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Board of Transportation as well. The governing body can approve, deny or continue the case if it determines more information is needed.

A Street Closing Pre-submittal Meeting is required before the submittal of a Street Closing Application. Upon receipt of a complete Street Closing Application the City will review the draft plat and application. Once the application and plat are clear of comments and ready for action by the governing board, the case will be moved to a following public hearing agenda and/or through the NCDOT approval process, as appropriate.

Street Renaming

The name of a street or existing alley may be changed through the public hearing process by the appropriate governing body (City Council, if City jurisdiction, Board of County Commissioners, if County jurisdiction), and in the case of streets in the County’s jurisdiction, requires approval of the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) as well. The governing body can approve, deny or continue the case if it determines more information is needed.

A Street Renaming Pre-submittal Meeting is required before the submittal of a Street Renaming Application. Upon receipt of a complete Street Renaming Application the City will review the draft plat and application. Once the application and plat are clear of comments a public meeting must be held. After this meeting is held, the case will be moved to a following public hearing agenda and/or through the NCDOT approval process, as appropriate.

If a Street Renaming is approved, the applicant is responsible for the cost of purchasing replacement street signs along the renamed street.

If you have questions about the Right-of-way Withdrawal process, you should schedule a Street Closing and Street Renaming Pre-submittal Meeting, via a Zoom conference call, to talk with one of our case planners.

Important Note About Temporary Right-of-Way Closures and Construction in the Right-of-Way

This page is for requesting the permanent closing or renaming of public right-of-way, or withdrawal of dedicated right-of-way, as described in UDO section 3.24. For temporary right-of-way closures and construction in the right-of-way, please use the Right-of-Way Permits page.

Street Closing and Street Renaming Pre-submittal Meeting

Street Closing and Street Renaming pre-submittal meetings are required before a street closing or street renaming application may be submitted. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the closing or renaming process as well as, in the case of street closings, to determine if the street closing process is the correct process for proposed removal of right-of-way. 

  1. Street Closing and Street Renaming pre-submittal meetings are conducted virtually on Thursday afternoons, 1:00pm-3:00pm. There is no fee for this service.
  2. Time slots are 30 minutes and arranged on a first-come, first-served basis.
  3. Same-week scheduling is possible if time slots are available, but the request must be received by 12:00pm Tuesday to allow sufficient review time prior to conducting the meeting.
  4. A parcel map clearly depicting the subject area of the proposed right-of-way removal or the street to be renamed is required in advance. The map should be transmitted at the same time the meeting is scheduled.

Scheduling and Document Transmittal

Follow both of these steps to choose your appointment time and then to transmit documents.

Choose your meeting type and schedule the appointment

  1. Schedule a Street Closing and Street Renaming Pre-submittal Meeting
  2. Submit Documents and Materials for Street Closing and Street Renaming Pre-submittal Meeting

Applications

Right-of-way Withdrawal Application

Street Closing

Street Renaming

PAYMENT AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Note: This page is for requesting the permanent closing or renaming of public right-of-way, or withdrawal of dedicated right-of-way, as described in UDO section 3.24. For temporary right-of-way closures and construction in the right-of-way, please use the Right-of-Way Permits page.

Payment Portal

  • Payment Portal
    1. Use payment option “4-Planning”
    2. Use the DSC Fees and Payment Menu., section 23. Streets, Closing and Renaming - Planning  (page 26) for your specific payment fee.
    3. Save your receipt and payment number to reference in your application.

Submittal Portal

Use the portal below to complete your application submission. If the online form is not working, please use the direct Submit Street Closing or Street Renaming Application or Resubmittal link.