Who We Are / History
The primary objectives of the Association shall be to encourage and promote the technical and legal quality of administration and of those engaged and interested in the field of Zoning Administration and Zoning Enforcement in the State of North Carolina; to aid in furthering public understanding and awareness in Zoning; and to speak as a representative of Zoning Administration and Zoning Enforcement in the State of North Carolina. To see that the private citizens and officials are more accurately informed as to reputable practices and interpretations of zoning problems involving the administration and enforcement of local Zoning Ordinances.
The intent of the Association shall always be to aid in the reputable and proper administration and enforcement of local Zoning Ordinances. The Association in the fulfillment of those purposes herein stated may affiliate with other Associations and Organizations.
View our District Map Here
Our History
Realizing the need for an association for zoning officials, a small group of six persons mailed a letter of inquiry to all jurisdictions known to have zoning regulations following a meeting in Charlotte. Due to an overwhelming response, an organizational meeting was held on September 17, 1980. At this meeting, a temporary slate of officers was elected.
A subsequent meeting was held the following November during which organizational bylaws were drafted and names for the association were discussed.
On January 16, 1981, at a meeting held at the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill, the “North Carolina Association of Zoning Officials” was founded and its constitution adopted.
Download NCAZO Constitution
NCAZO Past Presidents
We would like to thank the below listed Past Presidents for their dedication and leadership.
(H) – Honorary Member
Year | Name | Jurisdiction |
1981-1982 | Sam Liner | Mecklenburg County |
1982-1983 | Archie Andrews (H) | City of Greensboro |
1983-1984 | Kathy Tatum | City of Fayetteville |
1984-1985 | Gary McDaniels | City of Asheville |
1985-1986 | Dale Long (H) | Mecklenburg County |
1986-1987 | F. E. Icenhour | Cabarrus County |
1987-1988 | Davy Mitchell | City of Graham |
1988-1989 | Ron Milburn | Catawba County |
1989-1990 | Hardy Watkins (H) | City of Raleigh |
1990-1991 | Robert Brandon | Mecklenburg County |
1991-1992 | Jan Woodside (H) | Amity Development Services |
1992-1993 | Linda V. Staab | Town of Morehead City |
1993-1994 | Michael Downs (H) | Cabarrus County |
1994-1995 | John C. Marshall III | Mecklenburg County |
1995-1996 | Andy Thomas (H) | City of Greenville |
1996-1997 | Sam Laughter | Henderson County |
1997-1998 | Joy Richards | Town of Southern Pines |
1998-1999 | Wendell Holland | City of Asheboro |
1999-2000 | Brent Graybeal | Watauga County |
2000-2001 | Bernard George | City of New Bern |
2001-2002 | Brownell Wright (H) | City of Henderson |
2002-2003 | Larry Odom (H) | Nash County |
2003-2004 | Fred Featherstone | Town of Manteo |
2004-2005 | Penny Tysinger | Cape Fear Council of Gov. |
2005-2006 | Michael M. Sandy | Stanly County |
2006-2007 | Joey Lea (H) | City of Burlington |
2007-2008 | Gary Ouellette (H) | City of Jacksonville |
2008-2009 | Geoffrey Pearson (H) | Wake County |
2009-2010 | Loray Averett (H) | City of Greensboro |
2010-2011 | Kevin Medeiros | City of Wilson |
2011-2012 | David Sudderth | Stokes County |
2012-2013 | Ron Smith (H) | Gaston County |
2013-2014 | Brian Sifford | Mecklenburg County |
2014-2015 | Grace Smith (H) | Durham City-County |
2015-2016 | Sean Tencer | Town of Elon |
2016-2017 | Angela Plummer (Birchett) | Chatham County |
2017-2018 | Wayne Krimminger | Cabarrus County |
2018-2019 | Jessica Rhue | Onslow County |
2019-2020 | Josh Harrold | Town of Black Mountain |
2020-2021 | Cheryl Hart | City of Oxford |
2021-2022 | Chris Marland | City of Burlington |
2022-2023 | Reginald Buie | Town of Garner |