New Hanover County and the city of Wilmington have partnered to launch a new land development tool. 

Customer Online Application & Services Tool (COAST) allows customers to submit applications and obtain permits from the county.  

The aim of the new system, according to a county news release Monday, is to provide customers with better access to information, the ability to see exactly where permits are in the process, improved reporting capabilities, easy online fee payments and a more streamlined process across all development applications and permits in the county.  

“Two years ago, New Hanover County staff began the process to create a sustainable software for all things development related, which is an incredibly quick turnaround time for a system of this magnitude,” said County Manager Chris Coudriet in the release. “From the beginning, we brought members of the development community together to help make this system the best it can be. With their feedback and the work of our team, COAST is going to make doing business with the county much easier; and it will help create a seamless, transparent and predictable process for our customers.” 

The release stated that COAST’s first phase, which launched Monday, includes all commercial and residential building processes, trade permits, new commercial and residential site processes, rezoning and subdivision permits and appeals and engineering processes for New Hanover County.

The system will also incorporate Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, city of Wilmington Zoning, and city fire in the review steps, the news release said.

"Additional development processes, as well as standalone city processes, are expected to be implemented within the next year," according to the release. 

Customers who prefer not to create an online account in COAST are still welcome to submit development applications in person at the county’s Development Services Center, 230 Government Center Drive in Wilmington, the release stated.