Adopted Ordinances not yet included on Municode Online Ordinances:
Jackson County Code - Administrative Procedures
All active Jackson County ordinances:
The following is a complete list of all active Jackson County Ordinances. To view each ordinance please visit Municode Online Ordinances.
For more information, please call the Planning Office at 828-631-2261.
Airport Hazard
To regulate the development, growth, or construction of objects that may become hazards to air traffic utilizing the Jackson County Airport and that would endanger the lives and property of users of the Airport and of occupants of land in its vicinity.
Board of Adjustment
Establishes a Board of Adjustment to hear and decide appeals and to grant variances where certain conditions exist.
Cable Franchise
Establishes an agreement between Jackson County and Mediacom Southeast LLC to provide services, facilities, and equipment necessary for cable-related needs of the community.
Cashiers Commercial District Ordinance
Established to regulate development in the Cashiers Commercial District, this ordinance promotes the health, safety, and general welfare of the community; provides for sound and orderly development; facilitates the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, and parks; promotes the economic prosperity of the community; preserves the community’s unique scenic quality; conserves the natural resources and environmental quality of the community; and protects and conserves the heritage of the community.
Cell Towers (Wireless communications Ordinance)
The Wireless Communications Ordinance provides for safe and efficient integration of facilities necessary for the provision of advanced wireless telecommunications services throughout the community and ensures the ready availability of reliable wireless services to the public, government agencies, and first responders with the intention of furthering the public safety and general welfare.
Cemetery Board
Establishes the Jackson County Cemetery Board.
Farmland Preservation
The purpose of this Ordinance is to promote agricultural values and the general welfare of the county by (1) increasing identity and pride in the agricultural community and its way of life; (2) encouraging the economic and financial health of agriculture, horticulture and forestry; (3) fostering the growth, development and sustainability of family farms; (4) preserving rural working landscapes as an integral part of our cultural heritage; (5) assuring the availability of fresh produce and other local farm products; and (6) helping to maintain clean air and water.
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
New structures, additions ,or changes to existing structures, grading, filling, or any other manmade changes within the 100-year floodplain require flood development permits. Certain subdivisions of land also require the review and approval of the Flood Damage Ordinance Administrator.
Helicopter Ordinance
Regulates helicopter sightseeing operations within the county.
Historic Preservation Ordinance
Established to safeguard the heritage of the County and to promote the use and conservation of such districts and landmarks for education, pleasure, and enrichment of the citizens of Jackson County.
Industrial Development
Manages location, visibility, and pollution from asphalt industries, heavy industries, mining industries, and junk yards.
Junk Car Ordinance
Prohibits abandonment of vehicles on public or private property without permission.
Land Development Ordinance
Ensures that proposed development activities comply with all various Jackson County Ordinances relating to land use, provides an effective means for determining compliance, and contributes to greater efficiency in government.
Lighting Standards
Establishes outdoor lighting standards; providing adequate light for safety and security; promoting efficient and cost effective lighting and energy conservation; reducing light pollution, light trespass, glare, and offensive light sources; providing an environmentally sensitive nighttime environment; preventing inappropriate, poorly designed or installed outdoor lighting; and encouraging quality lighting design and light fixture shielding.
Manufactured / Mobile Home Parks
Sets standards for Manufactured Home Parks. A Manufactured Home Park Permit is required for all new parks and expansions of existing parks. The Manufactured Home Park Permit Application should be submitted to the Planning Department for review before work is begun in the park. After all work is completed, a final inspection for compliance with the ordinance standards is required before the permit is issued.
Mountain and Hillside Development
It is the purpose of this ordinance to provide development regulations applicable to mountains and hillsides to ensure that development occurs in the following manner: Protects the natural conditions and respects existing topography; prevents inappropriate development; preserves the aesthetic and scenic qualities of such areas; and ensures the public health, safety, and general welfare.
Mountain Ridge Protection
Jackson County Protected Ridges Map
Jackson County Protected Mountain Ridges
Regulates the height of tall buildings or structures on mountain ridges, providing for the method of administration and enforcement and providing for the imposition of penalties for violations of provisions of this ordinance.
Mountain View Ventures, Inc
A development agreement with Mountain View Ventures, Inc.
Noise Ordinance
Regulates loud, disturbing noise that disrupts, injures, or endangers reasonable persons.
Off Premise Sign Ordinance
The Off Premise Sign Ordinance sets standards and restrictions for off-premise signs erected in the areas of Jackson County not regulated by a municipality. The ordinance establishes criteria for size, height, setbacks, and spacing of signs, and provides permitted requirements. The ordinance amortizes all signs not conforming with height and size requirements.
Planning Board Ordinance
Establishes a Planning Board to study the needs of Jackson County, determine objectives, prepare and adopt plans for achieving these objectives, develop and recommend administrative procedures, advise the Board of Commissioners, and perform any other related duties that the Foard of commissioners may direct.
Scotts Creek Water Quality Protection
Establishes a 30 ft. riparian buffer along sections of Scotts Creek.
Sediment Control
Regulates land-disturbing activity to control erosion and sedimentation.
Public Parks and Sex Offenders Ordinance
Prohibits registered sex offenders in Jackson County’s parks and recreation facilities.
Subdivision Ordinance
Encourages sound and stable development in Jackson county. Road standards included in ordinance.
Town of Sylva Ordinance
To preserve the social, economic, cultural, historic, and aesthetic conditions that make up the Town of Sylva.
US 441 Development Ordinance
Establishes development standards for high-profile areas of the community, resulting in distinctive visual environments and project positively the image of the local community.
Vested Rights Ordinance
Establishes a process to determine and establish a vested right to undertake development as defined herein.
For more information about Road Naming and Street Addressing, please call the Addressing Office in the Emergency Management Department at
828-586-7537.
For more information, please call the Environmental Health at 828-587-4105.
Sewer & Septic Tank Services
Septic tank and well permits are issued by Jackson County Environmental Health.
For more information, please call the Fire Marshal at 828-586-7507.
Fire Prevention Ordinance
Defines, regulates, and prohibits conditions detrimental to the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of Jackson County.
For more information, please call the Health Department at 828-586-8994.
Animal Control
Care and control of dogs and cats in Jackson County.
For more information, please call the Soil and Water at 828-586-6344.
Farmland Preservation
Jackson County has a voluntary Farmland Preservation Program. The purpose of this program is to encourage the economic health of farming areas, to increase protection from nuisance suits and undesired non-farm development and to increase the identity and pride in the agricultural community and its way of life. To qualify for the program, the land must be in the farm present-use-value taxation program, have a conservation management plan and be fifty acres or within a mile of other qualifying farms that together total fifty acres. Please contact the Soil and Water Conservation Service at 250-4785 for an application and additional information.
For more information, please call the Solid Waste at 586-7509.
Solid Waste Ordinance
The Solid Waste Control Ordinance regulates the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste and recyclables generated by owners, occupants, tenants, lessees, proprietors, or other persons in charge of any residential, commercial, small business, industrial, institutional and/or construction/demolition properties in unincorporated areas of Jackson County. It also sets forth procedures and standards for the franchised collection of solid waste and recyclables in unincorporated areas of Jackson County.
For more information, please call the TWSA at 828-586-5189.
Scotts Creek Property Owners Connect to Sewer
Requires Scotts Creek residents within 700 ft. of the sewer line to connect.
Please go to Municode Online Ordinances to view an in-depth documentation of Jackson County Ordinances.
