Welcome to Surf City, North Carolina New Residents Guide

What's in this guide?

• History of the Town
• Mayor's Message
• Surf City Zoning Map and Interactive Maps
• Meet Your Mayor and Council
• Council Meeting Information
• Advisory Committees
• Surf City Town Departments
• Town Facilities & Contacts
• How to Keep Up to Date
• Beach Accesses
• Ocean Rescue Program
• Beach Wheelchairs
• Beach CLEAN Program
• Parks
• Town Sponsored Events
• Parks, Recreation & Tourism
• Beach Parking and Disaster Re-entry Passes
• Utilities and Solid Waste
• Emergency Management
• Public Safety: Police & Fire
• Vegetative Debris & Bulk Item Pickups
• How to Pay Your Taxes
• Permit Information
• Business Registration

History of the Town

Not long after World War II, Topsail Island was home to a United States Navy “Operation Bumblebee”. An operation to design and test technology to aid in aerodynamic problems with rocket flight. Eight concrete towers were built for research purposes, and most of these towers are standing today. Here in Surf City, Tower 4 has been modified into a home. In 1947, A.H. Ward and some other visionaries started developing the island. The Town of Surf City was founded a short two years later in 1949. The Town is split into two, having mainland and island properties. To cross the Intercoastal Waterway onto the island portion of town, the Topsail Island Swing Bridge was built in 1954. The bridge served the Town until 2018. Our new high-rise bridge features bicycle lanes and a multi-use path. The Town of Surf City started out as a small fishing village and today has blossomed into the largest town on the island. Surf City is a township located in both Pender and Onslow Counties. Located on Topsail Island, at roughly 10 square miles with a population of 4,481 (2022 NC OSBM Standard Population Estimate).

Mayor's Message

Hello New Residents of Surf City,

I want to welcome you to our beautiful town and invite you to explore the wonderful events, programs, and resources this packet provides you. Surf City is my hometown, and I am delighted to share it with you. From our relaxing beaches to our ever-growing number of businesses, we know that you will find something to love on every corner.

-Mayor Teresa B. Batts

Meet our Mayor and Council Members

Surf City has a Council-Manager form of government; with a non-partisan Mayor and five Council members elected every four years, in November on staggered terms. The Mayor and Council members are elected at large by a town-wide vote.​

(Left to Right) Councilwoman Trudy Solomon, Councilman John Koloski, Councilman Hugh Cannady, Mayor Teresa B. Batts, Mayor Pro-Tem Jeremy Shugarts, and Councilwoman Alicia Hawley.

Would you like to contact your Mayor or Council Members? Click HERE.

Council Meetings:

Surf City Advisory Committees:

The Town of Surf City has several advisory committees contributing to the direction, enhancement, and progress of the Town.

• Planning Board ​
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
• Promotions, Special Events & Tourism Advisory Committee
• Board of Adjustment
• Beautification and Enhancement Committee
• Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Committee
• Shoreline and Resiliency Committee

Are you interested in serving on one of our committees? ​Visit our website HERE to read about each committee, view openings, and apply. ​

Surf City Departments

Click on the title of the department to access their website!

Administration | Finance | Community Development | Emergency Mangement | Fire Department | Parks, Recreation, & Tourism | Police Department | Facilities & Grounds | Public Utilities | Solid Waste

Town Facilities & Contacts

Town Hall & Police Department​ | 910-328-4131 & 910-328-7711 | EMERGENCY: 911

Surf City Welcome & Event Center​ | 910-328-2716

Surf City Community Center​ | 910-328-4887

Fire Department Mainland Station #25​ | 910-328-1260

Fire Department Island Station #23​ | 910-328-0175

Facilities and Grounds​ | 910-550-2539

Public Utilities​ | 910-329-1055

Wastewater Treatment Plant​ | 910-329-1011

Water Plant​ | 910-329-1867

How to Keep Up to Date

Ocean Rescue Program

Surf City Ocean Rescue is a division of the fire department and responds to beach, ocean, and waterway emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Whether it's a swimmer in distress or boating issues, our Ocean Rescue team responds to your call for help!

Although this team is a reactionary responding agency, they do take some proactive measures by having trained personnel on the beach strand and on standby during our peak season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. There is at least one certified swimmer on standby from 9am-7pm daily during these months and when the tide allows, the team monitors and patrols the beach on their ocean rescue ATV. Different from lifeguards, this team is not stationary and patrols the beach to shorten response time when calls come in.

For more information on this program click HERE.

Beach Wheelchairs

Surf City provides beach wheelchairs for those who need them. All rentals are processed and approved through the Town of Surf City at SurfCity.RecDesk.com. Please contact us with any questions at 910-328-2716 or visit our website HERE for more information.

Beach CLEAN

The Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Commission heads the BEach CLEAN program that is comprised of three towns on the island, including two counties! The goal of this program is to help you "Enjoy our beaches & waterways but leave no trace." For information on this project visit their website HERE.

Town Sponsored Events

The Town of Surf City hosts several events throughout the year such as the Surf City Expo, Bridge Jam, Sip, Shop & Stroll, Fall Festival, Movies in the Park and many more! To view the scheduled events and join in on the fun please visit our website HERE.

Parks, Recreation, & Tourism

Our Community Center offers several recreational programs such as athletics, wellness classes, and summer camps. Some of the programs offered are cycling, senior fit, social bridge, tot time, and after-school programs. ​

In addition to these, the Community Center offers access to our Fitness Room, Gymnasium, locker rooms & showers, and more.

Please visit our website or surfcity.recdesk.com to learn more about the programs available to you and how to register! ​

For a comprehensive look at our Parks, Recreation & Tourism department check out this link:​

Surf City Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Beach Parking and Disaster Re-entry

Our paid parking season runs from March 1st to October 31st daily from 9 am to 6 pm.​

If you are a property owner, you are eligible for up to 2 free season passes. ​

If you are a resident renting a Surf City property long-term, please communicate directly with your landlord to inquire whether parking passes are included in the terms of your lease agreement. ​

Season passes are available for purchase online or in person.​

Island Re-entry passes are available to island residents in the event the island must be evacuated due to emergency measures. You may get your disaster re-entry stickers as you register for you parking passes.

Please contact Pivot Parking directly with any questions you may have at surfcityparkingpermit@pivotparking.com ​

1-833-GO-PIVOT

305 N New River Drive Surf City, NC 28445​

Utilities

Surf City Utilities include water, sewer, irrigation, trash, and recycling. You may fill out an application to establish service online HERE or in person at Town Hall. ​Bills are generated on the 10th of each month, for the prior month's usage, and the due date is the 25th of each month.

How to pay?

• Phone payment (IVR) at 833-681-3449
• Bank drafting- bank draft form is available HERE.
• Online Payment Portal HERE
• Bill Pay (through your bank)
• Checks: dropbox’s located at the Community Center or Town Hall​
• In-person at Town Hall​​

Solid Waste

Trash/ recycling can be placed adjacent to the street no earlier than noon the day before collection and must be returned to an acceptable location by 6:00 pm the day after collection. Violation of these ordinances shall be subject to a civil penalty. (Surf City Ordinance Sec. 15-4)​

• Monday pickup: Roland Ave and south end of town.​
• Tuesday pickup: North of Roland Ave to the north of Town. ​
• Wednesday pickup: Mainland. ​
• Friday pickup: available to Island residents May – September.​

Trash + Recycling Rollback Services - Island Residents Only

For any questions regarding Utilities or Solid Waste please contact Surf City Utility Department at utilities@surfcitync.gov ​or 910-328-4131.

Are You Prepared in the Event of an Emergency?​

Through a comprehensive approach, Emergency Management works to build a resilient community that is ready to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all types of disasters.

Hurricane season is from June to November each year. ​Potential threats from hurricanes include powerful winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and landslides.​ In some cases, these hurricanes may call for evacuations. ​

Here are some proactive steps you can take to become better prepared, because community preparedness begins with you!

• Make a Plan
• Get a Kit
• Stay Informed

Public Safety: Fire & Police

Surf City Police Department

The men and women of the Surf City Police Department are proud to serve the citizens of this great community. We are responsible for general public safety, crime prevention, responding to and investigating crime, apprehension of those who commit crimes, public order, traffic safety, criminal justice records, and safety education. The Department exists to serve all people within its jurisdiction with respect, fairness, and dignity through community-based policing and building partnerships.​

Our police department has several community policing programs and community services including​:

• Coffee with a Cop​
• Citizen’s Police Academy
• Lunch with the Law
• Roadside Rollcall
• No Shave November​
• Shop with a Cop
• E-Watch​
• Operation Medicine Drop and many more!​

Stop by our website HERE for more information on each of these programs and others that we offer!

Surf City Fire Department

The Surf City Fire Department will proudly and continuously protect life, property and the environment from fire, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other emergencies for those who live, work and travel in and throughout the Town of Surf City and surrounding districts with competent, professional, and honest personnel. Our fire department offers three free programs​:

• Free Car Seat Installation Assistance: FREE Installation, check of expiration dates and any recalls. They can also answer any questions about the transition from rear-facing to forward-facing and information about when your child no longer needs to be in a booster seat. ​
• Free Smoke Alarm Program: Inspect that your alarms are working and if they do not work, have become expired, or if you do not have any smoke alarms we will replace/install them for FREE.
• Free Fire and Fall Prevention Programs: A visit is made, and we provide recommendations on how to prevent falls and fires. ​
• Free Fire Truck and Station Tours
• Quarterly CPR Courses: Requests can be made for a course outside of the quarterly schedule. ($20 fee for CPR card + processing)

To utilize any of these programs please contact Timothy VanPelt at tvanpelt@surfcitync.gov

Vegetative Debris & Bulk Item Pickup

Vegetative/Yard Debris Pickup:​ Vegetative debris, yard waste, and tree trimmings. Vegetation cannot be greater than 6 inches in diameter or longer than 4 feet in length. ​Please neatly stack debris along the right-of-way. PAPER BAGS ONLY.​ This is a monthly program.

Bulk Item Pickup:​ Appliances, mattresses, couches, chairs, grills, furniture, bicycles, electronics, and other similar items. ​This DOES NOT include hazardous materials, construction debris, or re-modeling materials such as toilets, doors, windows, and cabinets.​ This is a quarterly program.

Please visit our website HERE to view upcoming pickup dates and acceptable items for each pickup.

How to Pay Your Taxes

Being a resident of Surf City, you will also be a resident of either Onslow or Pender County. In addition to County taxes, there will be taxes to pay to the Town of Surf City.​ Tax bills are sent out annually in October. You can pay your taxes online HERE or over the phone at ​833-681-3450.

Should you have questions please call Town Hall at 910-328-4131. ​

Permits

Permit applications are available through Viewpoint at surfcitync.viewpointcloud.com . To apply you will be prompted to create an account to submit your application. You will receive emails regarding the status of your application and any payment/fees that will be due.​

Please direct any questions you may have about the process to the Town Hall at 910-328-4131.​For more detailed general permit information view this document HERE.​

Business Registration

Business Registration is an annual program implemented by Town Ordinance for all businesses that are located or operate within the Town limits.

The goals of the registration program include:

• Providing residents and visitors with a list of businesses within the Town that have completed their registration, meaning that they are up to date with Town building, fire and police codes based on business location.
• Providing registered business with the option of advertisement by the Town through the Shop, Dine, Stay & Play page.
• Maintaining multiple avenues of contact with business owners to enhance communication between the Town and business community.

The application process includes various department approvals dependent upon the location of the business. Businesses must complete the application annually and in full, including payment to avoid fees and to maintain access to the free parking passes allotted to businesses.

You may register your business here: Viewpoint Business Registration Application

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