Where is the Neuse North Area Plan?
The Neuse North (NN) Area Plan includes about 17 square miles, or 10,890 acres, located along the northern county limits between Wake Forest and Rolesville and extending to the boundary with Franklin County.
View the Neuse North Area Plan Map
What is the Neuse North Area Plan?
The Neuse North (NN) Area Plan is a component of Wake County’s new comprehensive plan, PLANWake, adopted in April 2021. The area plans separate the county into seven distinct areas for more localized planning with community input. The NN Area Plan will be the sixth area to undergo the process of determining what type of built environment – the homes, buildings, streets, open spaces, farms, and infrastructure – is envisioned for the future at the local level.
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This plan DOES |
This plan DOES NOT |
|---|---|
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Reflect the community vision |
Annex anyone's property |
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Identify areas where growth should or should not occur |
Rezone anyone's property |
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Receive extensive public input |
Expand ETJ |
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Undergo a public hearing process |
Raise taxes |
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Have the ability to be amended after adoption |
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the orange areas on the map mean?
The orange areas represent the study area, which are unincorporated parts of Wake County. These areas are not within any town’s corporate limits or planning jurisdiction (ETJ). They are solely within Wake County’s jurisdiction, which is entirely separate from the towns. Wake County can only conduct planning exercises such as this in its own jurisdiction. They do not have any other meaning other than to identify the study area.
Why are you planning in this area?
Local governments need to conduct planning efforts in order to identify if and where growth should occur, what is important to the community, and what improvements are needed. Our region is changing rapidly. This means plans need to be revisited at regular intervals to ensure priorities and vision are still valid and attainable. Wake County’s area plans cover different parts of the county and the plans are a reflection of those unique communities.
Will I be forced to annex into the Town and pay higher taxes?
No. Involuntary annexation – forcing annexation – has been illegal in the State of North Carolina since 2011. Annexation can only occur at the property owner’s request, and the town must agree to it as well.
What is ETJ?
ETJ, or extra-territorial jurisdiction, is a planning tool that is enabled by the NC State Legislature. It grants municipalities planning and zoning jurisdiction to a specified area outside of its corporate limits. NOTE: House Bill 173 passed last year by the North Carolina General Assembly freezes the expansion of any ETJ in Wake County through 2028. More information can be found on ETJ page.
Get Involved
If you live in this community (or even if you don't!) and want to help shape it for the future, you're invited to participate. Wake County staff needs to hear from you as the Neuse North Area Plan is drafted over the next several months.
Input and participation from our diverse population are vital for any planning process to be considered successful. Insight from those who live, work and play in this area will drive planning projects that are developed with the specific community’s needs and desires, as well as their vision for the future, in mind. Share experiences, preferences and other feedback to help us understand why you love where you live and what you’d like to see more of.
Check out the engagement opportunities below.
We recommend you progress through the cards below in order. Please let us know if you need assistance in another language: Contact: areaplan@wake.gov
Avísenos si necesita asistencia en español. Contacto: areaplan@wake.gov
Learn more about what's currently happening in the Neuse North area.
Below you'll find a story map that is intended to present information and context about the Neuse North area. Click on the link to open the story map and scroll down to see all seven maps. Each map is expandable by clicking on the double arrows in the upper right-hand corner, and users can explore the maps in greater detail by using the "+" and "-" symbols to zoom in and out. As you zoom in more information becomes available. Users can also find their location on the map by clicking on the arrow.
View the Story MapTimeline
Updates with specific dates and times will be posted on this page. You can also sign-up below to receive emails with more detailed project updates.
Plan Kickoff
January 2026
Public Engagement:
Ongoing
Draft Plan
Late summer 2026
Plan Proposal
Late fall 2026
Contact Us With Questions
areaplan@wake.gov
919-856-6310, press 8