Mortgage Broker in Onslow, NC

Onslow County Planning and Development is preparing for a change involving properties that have historically been in the City of Jacksonville’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). As a result of a state law passed in August, 1,151 properties currently within the City of Jacksonville’s ETJ will transition to Onslow County jurisdiction in October.

An ETJ is an area outside a city or town’s principal boundary where the municipality may exercise its authority over zoning, building inspections, and other land development issues. The County reviewed each property individually to determine the most comparable zoning under County regulations and property owners affected by the change were sent letters explaining their proposed new zoning designation.

The County will hold a community information meeting on September 8, 2026 from 5–7PM at the Onslow County Government Center. At this event property owners can meet with Planning and Development staff, ask questions, discuss future plans for their property, and learn about their proposed zoning.

Planning and Development Director Carter Metcalf says the overall goal is to make the transition as easy to understand as possible for the 1,151 affected properties. “We want folks to get in contact with us. We’re sending everyone letters, and we’re trying to meet folks wherever they are, whichever way they like to communicate, so they can be informed about this change. It’s important that property owners understand how this change may affect future planning, zoning, permitting, and inspections.”

A special Planning Board meeting will be held September 17 at 6:30PM, where the Board will make a formal recommendation. The Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the proposed zoning designations in October. Residents of Jacksonville can use our ETJ Lookup tool to see if they live in the ETJ area.

ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Onslow County is preparing to take over zoning and land-use regulation for 1,151 properties, giving those property owners a new jurisdiction governing what can be built and developed.

A new state law passed in August will remove the properties from the city of Jacksonville’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and hand them over to Onslow County. Planning staff has been reviewing each property individually to assign the most comparable county zoning.

The differences in land-use rules can affect a landowner’s future plans. Carter Metcalf, Onslow County director of planning and development, said some City of Jacksonville standards include additional landscaping or architectural requirements that the county does not have, and some areas are zoned for specific densities.

The county has begun contacting property owners, who have started giving feedback.

Metcalf said property owners have asked whether they will be able to continue current uses of their property, along with questions about adding new accessory structures or replacing damaged homes.

“So, some of them are asking am I going to be able to continue on doing what I’m doing? Absolutely. And also have a lot of questions people adding new accessory structures to their building or replacing those damaged homes and so far we’ve been able to accommodate everyone’s request,” Metcalf said.

Metcalf said the new county zoning will allow property owners in some areas to replace damaged structures.

“We know there’s some areas in the county where they have been sitting there and been wanting to replace damaged structures so our new zoning will definitely allow them to be able to do that, to replace those structures that have been damaged, and be able to bring in new home for folks, but continuing on those same growth patterns of what things have been,” Metcalf said.

Metcalf says property taxes will vary based on several factors, and property owners will need to speak to the tax department.

People affected by the jurisdiction change will receive letters in the mail from the county.

The county will hold a community information meeting on September 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Onslow County Government Center.

The planning board will hold a special meeting and make a formal recommendation on September 17. The board of commissioners is expected to vote on the final zoning maps in October.

Onslow County Parks and Recreation celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 28, 2026. To mark the occasion the department will hold a yearlong celebration beginning with a flag raising ceremony at Onslow Pines Park on August 28 at 10AM.

The flag raising ceremony includes a performance by the Southwest High School marching band, an American flag donation from the Woodmen of the World, and remarks from County officials. The Woodmen donated the first American flag flown at the park during a ceremony in 1976.

On August 28, 1976, Onslow County dedicated Onslow Pines Park, the County’s first recreation park, with a flag raising ceremony. Today the County manages 13 parks including beach accesses and offers programs such as youth sports, summer camps, classes, and major community events.

Todd Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation says County parks remain an important part of what brings our community together. “We are grateful to the staff, volunteers, and residents who have helped make our parks and programs successful over the last 50 years and look forward to sharing them with generations yet to come.”

Each year Onslow County parks welcome around 1.4 million visitors. Programs include youth sports for more than 3,400 children, summer camps, and popular events which draw thousands of visitors like the 4th of July Freedom Festival, Monster Bash, and the Lights Over Onslow tree lighting and drone show.

Other events planned for the 50^th anniversary include the grand opening of the Nature Cabin at Hines Farm Park and Stables on September 13 and a Golden Anniversary Spring Picnic at Onslow Pines Park. Future investments for the parks and recreation system include a new indoor recreation center and improvements to existing parks. For more information, visit www.OnslowCountyNC.gov/Parks or call 910-347-5332.

ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - The National Weather Service has confirmed two tornadoes touched down Saturday evening in Onslow County, leaving a trail of destruction.

On Saturday, the county was hit with storms bringing heavy rain and winds. The NWS says just before 6:40 pm, an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 110 mph appeared to have touched down in a marshland area north of Old Folkstone Road, near Sneads Ferry.

The tornado caused damage to trees, roofs, and fences as it moved to an apartment complex where officials say the worst damage was noted, with portions of a unit’s roof decking uplifted and trees fallen on apartments.

The tornado then hit an RV park, damaging trees and a couple of RVs.

WITN visited Sneads Ferry RV Park Sunday, where campers were heavily damaged, and severe flooding damaged one woman’s home, rendering it unlivable.

As the tornado approached and lifted on Hwy 210, minor damage was reported at the Sneads Ferry Library, and a car was damaged after it was partially uplifted and dropped back down.

Minutes later, the tornado touched back down as an EF-0, with 85 mph peak winds near the Mill Creek neighborhood just west of Hwy 210. The tornado then strengthened as it moved southeast across the highway, hitting a home and causing damage to the roof and wall of the home. Officials say the house had plastic hurricane shutters, but the force of the wind pushed the front windows away from the wall and partially into the home.

The tornado then began to lift as it moved and carried debris from the home, which was found 150 yards away on a commercial property.

The NWS says no injuries or deaths were reported.

SNEADS FERRY, N.C. (WBTV) - Two tornadoes touched down in the same North Carolina community on Saturday, just minutes apart.

The twisters both spun up in the Sneads Ferry area in Onslow County shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 5.

A National Weather Service found the first tornado touched down at 6:37 p.m., near the intersection of Old Folkstone Road and Highway 210. It stayed on the ground for five minutes and traced a path just under one mile long.

The tornado’s estimated peak winds reached 110 mph, which made it an EF-1 using the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

The survey said tree and roof damage was discovered, as was fence and building damage.

Among the buildings damaged were an apartment complex and the Sneads Ferry Library. RVs parked at a campground were also reportedly damaged. The National Weather Service survey said a car was “partially uplifted” by the twister.

There were no reports of any injuries.

The second tornado touched down at 6:44 p.m., further down Highway 210 near Pebble Shore Drive. That twister was only on the ground for three minutes and had a path of just 0.2 miles.

Still, the tornado reached estimated peak wind speeds of 85 mph -- high enough to be an EF-0.

The National Weather Service survey said the second tornado caused minor tree damage, as well as damage to a house. Debris from the house was reportedly thrown up 150 yards.

Like with the first tornado, the survey made no mention of injuries stemming from the second twister.

National Weather Service records do not show a tornado warning was ever issued; however, a severe thunderstorm warning that included Onslow County was put out at 6:25 p.m. Saturday -- about 12 minutes before the first tornado touched down.

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