State guide
Bulkheads & Seawalls in North Carolina
How shoreline walls are regulated on the North Carolina coast: CAMA permits, Areas of Environmental Concern, the oceanfront hardening ban and estuarine options.
Last reviewed by the Bulkhead Walls Editorial Team
Overview
North Carolina regulates coastal development in its 20 coastal counties under the Coastal Area Management Act. Permanent hardened structures such as seawalls are generally prohibited on the oceanfront, while bulkheads, revetments and marsh sills on estuarine shorelines can be permitted through CAMA major or general permits, alongside Corps review.
- Communities covered
- Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Oak Island, Morehead City, New Bern, Outer Banks
- Waterbodies
- Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Cape Fear River, Bogue Sound, Neuse River, Pamlico Sound, Albemarle Sound
- Water types
- saltwater, brackish, tidal
Key local considerations
- CAMA permits come in three types: major, general and minor.
- The Coastal Resources Commission designates Areas of Environmental Concern and sets development rules within them.
- Permanent shoreline stabilization devices are generally prohibited on the oceanfront.
- Temporary sandbags may protect imminently threatened oceanfront structures under a CAMA general permit.
- Some towns and counties have Local Permit Officers who issue certain CAMA permits.
North Carolina's coast combines a long chain of barrier islands with large sound systems and tidal rivers such as the Cape Fear and the Neuse. The state treats ocean beaches and estuarine shorelines very differently, and that distinction shapes every bulkhead decision. This page summarizes the statewide framework. Regional pages cover the Southeastern Coast around Wilmington and the Central Coast and Outer Banks.
The Coastal Area Management Act
The Division of Coastal Management carries out the state's Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA), the Dredge and Fill Law and the federal Coastal Zone Management Act in the 20 coastal counties, using rules and policies of the Coastal Resources Commission. The Commission designates Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs), adopts rules and policies for development within them, and certifies local land use plans.
Three types of CAMA permits
| Permit | When it is used, per DCM |
|---|---|
| Major | Activities that require other state or federal permits, projects over 20 acres, or construction covering more than 60,000 square feet; reviewed by 10 state and four federal agencies |
| General | Routine projects that usually pose little or no threat to the environment; issued on-site by DCM staff or through the online system |
| Minor | Projects, such as single-family houses, that do not need a major or general permit; DCM aims to issue them within 25 days of a complete application |
Some local governments employ Local Permit Officers who can issue certain CAMA permits. DCM notes that a minor permit in an Ocean Hazard AEC also requires an AEC Hazard Notice from the Local Permit Officer. Our Permit Navigator links to the DCM permit pages and the Local Permit Officer directory.
Oceanfront: hardening generally prohibited
DCM states that North Carolina prohibits permanent shoreline stabilization devices on the oceanfront, including seawalls, groins and other hardened structures, with narrow exceptions. A limited number of terminal groins next to inlets have been allowed by state law since 2011. For an imminently threatened structure, meaning the erosion scarp is within 20 feet of its foundation, septic system or road right-of-way, temporary sandbags may be allowed under a CAMA general permit. DCM says sandbags cannot serve as permanent protection and may generally remain for up to eight years. Oceanfront construction is also subject to erosion-based setbacks measured from the first line of stable, natural vegetation.
Estuarine shorelines: several options
On sounds, rivers and the Intracoastal Waterway, DCM describes three common stabilization methods, each of which can be permitted through a CAMA major or general permit:
- Bulkheads: vertical, durable and the most commonly used method, but they prevent the natural migration of wetland vegetation.
- Riprap revetments: sloping rock structures, typically 1 vertical to 2 horizontal, that absorb wave energy with less soft-bottom habitat loss than bulkheads.
- Marsh sills: shore-parallel wood or rock structures placed offshore of existing or potential marsh to protect wetland vegetation.
DCM promotes living shorelines and recommends talking with a field representative about allowed options before design. See riprap and living shorelines and shoreline erosion control.
Federal review
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, reviews work in waters of the United States in North Carolina. Major CAMA permits are also reviewed by federal agencies, according to DCM.
Where to go next
- Bulkhead permit guide
- Signs of bulkhead failure
- Timber bulkheads and vinyl bulkheads
- How to hire a marine contractor
This page is educational. DCM, the Corps and local governments decide what a specific project requires.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CAMA permit?
It is a permit under North Carolina's Coastal Area Management Act, issued by the Division of Coastal Management or a Local Permit Officer for development in Areas of Environmental Concern. There are major, general and minor permits depending on project size and impact.
Can a seawall be built on a North Carolina ocean beach?
The state generally prohibits permanent shoreline stabilization devices, including seawalls, on the oceanfront, with narrow exceptions. Temporary sandbags may be permitted for imminently threatened structures.
Are bulkheads allowed on sounds and rivers?
DCM states that bulkheads on estuarine shorelines can be permitted through a CAMA major or general permit. It also describes riprap revetments and marsh sills and promotes living shorelines.
Sources
- 1Coastal Management Permits — NC Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 2Types of CAMA Permits — NC Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 3Coastal Resources Commission — NC Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 4Division of Coastal Management — NC Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 5Protecting Oceanfront Property from Erosion — NC Division of Coastal Management. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 6Estuarine Shoreline Stabilization Options — NC Division of Coastal Management. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 7Local Permit Officers — NC Division of Coastal Management. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Educational guidance only. This information is general and is not a structural assessment, engineering advice, or a permitting determination. Conditions at every waterfront are different; consult a licensed marine contractor or professional engineer about your wall.