Orange County NC Website
2 <br />Current UDO Regulations: <br />The County's private road standards are found within in Sections 7.8.4 and 7.8.5 of the UDO <br />(Attachment 2). Currently the UDO requires private roads as follows: <br />1. The standards and specifications for private roads apply to subdivision in the County <br />depending on whether it is a Class A or B road: <br />TABLE <br />7.8.5.D BASIC STANDARDS <br />FOR PRIVATE <br />ROADS <br />Max. Number of Lots <br />12 <br />2 <br />3 <br />5 <br />Right -of -Way Width <br />50 ft. <br />50 ft. <br />50 ft. <br />50 ft. <br />Travel -Way Width <br />18 ft. <br />No Standard <br />12 ft. <br />12 ft. <br />Road Maintenance <br />Yes <br />Yes <br />Yes <br />Yes <br />Agreement Required <br />Maintenance <br />Property Owners <br />Property <br />I <br />Property Owners <br />I <br />Property <br />Responsibility <br />Owners <br />Owners <br />Notes: <br />a. Class B private roads serve 1 to 5 lots or dwelling units; however, <br />subdivisions with two lots or dwelling units may be served by a shared driveway. <br />b. Class A private roads serve 6 to 12 lots or dwelling units. <br />c. Both Class A and Class B private roads may be graveled. <br />2. Roads constructed to NCDOT standards for all subdivisions having 13 or more lots. <br />NCDOT's Minimum Construction Standards for Subdivision Roads may be found at the <br />following link: <br />http: / /orangecountync.gov /planning /documents /Subdivision Man ualJanuary2010.pdf <br />The County's two - tiered approach to requiring private roads was originally intended to allow an <br />affordable development option for small subdivisions of no more than 5 lots. Problems have <br />been reported by the County's Emergency Services Department and the Volunteer Fire <br />Departments regarding the 12 -foot travel -way width allowed by the Class B private road. The <br />narrow width of the Class B road has presented public safety issues because it does not <br />provide adequate access for emergency services vehicles, and thus impacts response times. <br />Additionally, North Carolina General Statutes exempt certain types of subdivisions from the <br />County's subdivision review process: <br />1. The combination or recombination of portions of previously subdivided and recorded <br />lots if the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots are equal to or <br />exceed the standards of the County, including private road justification standards, as <br />detailed within the UDO. <br />2. The division of land into parcels greater than 10 acres if no street right -of -way <br />dedication is involved. <br />3. The public acquisition by purchase of strips of land for widening or opening streets. <br />