Chatham County Commissioners voted 3-2 to apply zoning to the remaining portions of the county that were previously unzoned at its meeting Monday night.

The vote means that the newly zoned portions of the county will now fall under R-1 or R-5 zoning regulations.

R-1 will allow “low to moderate density residential development in residential and agricultural areas (approximately one residence per acre).” R-5, meanwhile, calls for approximately one residence per five acres in areas adjacent to rivers and streams.

Bona fide farms, which are defined by state law, are exempt from the zoning regulations as long as they continue using the property for agricultural purposes, according to a release.

Businesses that are in areas that were previously unzoned are being grandfathered in as non-conforming issues, meaning they can continue operating even though they do not fit the current zoning guidelines.

The issue had been a contentious point among Chatham County residents and commissioners between those thinking this was a way to protect the county from impending development and those who felt it was government intrusion.

Related Stories
‹
Countywide Zoning Going Back Before Chatham County Commissioners
A contentious topic will be revisited at the Chatham County Board of Commissioners meeting tonight. Much of rural Chatham County is not currently subject to zoning regulations, but that could change Monday night. The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will meet on Monday night with countywide zoning on the agenda. A public hearing was held […]
Zoning Public Hearing Turns Contentious for Chatham County
Emotions flared in the Chatham County Commissioner meeting on Monday night during a public hearing over the possibility of zoning portions of the county that have previously been unzoned. That temperament extended to commissioners Walter Petty and Diana Hales, who were involved in a particularly contentious back and forth. “You said yourself, ‘I will zone […]
Pittsboro Preschool Employee Facing More Than a Dozen Child Abuse Charges
An employee of the Amazing Explorers Academy preschool at Pittsboro is facing several charges of child abuse as an investigation into her conduct continues. 25-year-old Violetta Wolovich, a Pittsboro resident, was arrested earlier in October and initially charged with seven counts of misdemeanor child abuse involving a child under her care. The Pittsboro Police Department […]
Early Voting in the 2026 General Election; Where to Go in Orange, Durham, and Chatham Counties
Early voting for North Carolina's general election begins on Thursday. Here is what you need to know to cast your vote.
2026 Candidate Introductions: U.S. House - North Carolina District 9
The longtime incumbent for North Carolina District 9, Republican Rep. Richard Hudson, faces Democrat Richard Ojeda on the ballot.
2026 Candidate Introductions: Chatham County Sheriff
Steve Maynor and Marcus Globuschutz are facing off on the ballot to replace the recently retired Mike Roberson as Chatham County Sheriff.
2026 Candidate Introductions: Chatham County Board of Commissioners
Three Chatham County Board of Commissioner seats are on the ballot this fall, with Districts 4 and 5 featuring general election races.
Chatham County Roundup: Meeting Recaps, Hiring County Attorney, Abandoned Cemeteries
Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 6, discussing county news and events. She recapped this week's commissioner's meetings, including discussion of hiring a new county attorney, how to handle abandoned cemeteries in the county, and more.
Local Government Meetings: October 5-9, 2026
This week in local government: Orange County Commissioners discuss data centers and property revaluation, while Carrboro talks composting.
The Morning News: Chatham Housing, UNC Football Preview
In today's news: Chatham County officials tackle affordable housing, and UNC football prepares to tackle Notre Dame.
›