Reentry

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During a State of Emergency that requires a mandatory evacuation in order to ensure public safety, Dare County officials will determine when it is safe to return through a staged reentry process.

To apply for a permit, after reviewing the Reentry Stages, select the appropriate Permit Priority from the drop down menu under "Apply for 2026 Dare County Reentry Permit".

Reentry Stages:

A staged reentry process is used to facilitate a safe and orderly return that allows the recovery process to begin. No one will be denied entry with proper identification. Reentry permits from previous years will not be accepted.

Priority One: Essential Personnel

Essential personnel includes essential utilities personnel, government personnel, medical personnel and damage assessment personnel. Essential personnel will be allowed entry with a reentry permit and matching government-issued identification.

Priority Two: Permanent Residents & Essential Personnel for Critical Businesses

Permanent residents can reenter by presenting a valid North Carolina Driver License/Identification Card issued by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles or a Voter Registration Card issued by the North Carolina State Board of Elections along with a government issued photo identification that matches the name on the Voter Registration Card. The Driver License, Identification Card or Voter Registration Card must display a Dare County address to gain entry. To expedite movement through traffic control points, residents can also display a reentry permit.

Non-resident essential personnel of critical businesses, such as grocery stores, food distributors, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, property management, building supply stores and hotels, will be permitted reentry with a reentry permit and matching current government-issued ID.

Priority Three: Non-Resident Property Owners and Non-Resident Employees of Non-Critical Businesses

Non-resident property owners will also be allowed reentry with a current real property tax bill or property record with matching current government-issued ID or a reentry permit with matching current government-issued identification.

Non-resident employees of non-critical businesses will be allowed entry with a reentry permit with matching current government issued identification.

Priority Four: General Public and Visitors

No reentry permit is needed for Priority Four.

Apply for 2026 Dare County Reentry Permit:

Priority 1 - Essential Personnel

Priority 1 reentry occurs when conditions are deemed safe to allow the initial recovery process to begin. During Priority 1 reentry, disaster responders and government officials are in the early stages of damage assessment and the restoration of critical services. During this stage, essential personnel include first responders, essential government personnel, utilities personnel, emergency medical personnel, damage assessment personnel and disaster relief personnel that need access to Dare County in order to complete official duties as a disaster responder or government official.

Priority 1 permits are issued by Dare County Emergency Management. For application information call 252-475-5655.

Priority 2 - Permanent Residents & Essential Personnel for Critical Businesses

Priority 2 reentry occurs when areas are deemed safe, allowing the recovery process to begin. While an area may be deemed safe, there is the potential that normal services have not yet been fully restored. Those returning during this phase may need to be self-sustaining. Utility and communication services may still be disrupted and/or unavailable. Law enforcement, fire, rescue, emergency medical and other government service delivery may be delayed. There may be curfews, prohibitions and other protective measures still in place to ensure public safety.

Permanent residents can reenter with a valid North Carolina Driver License/Identification Card issued by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles or a Voter Registration Card issued by the North Carolina State Board of Elections along with a government issued photo identification that matches the name on the Voter Registration Card. The Driver License, Identification Card or Voter Registration Card must display a Dare County address to gain entry. Residents will also be allowed reentry with a current real property tax bill or property record with matching current government-issued ID. To expedite movement through traffic control points, Residents should apply for a Priority 2 reentry permit to place on their dashboard. To apply for this permit, you will need your North Carolina Driver License, Identification Card or Voter Registration Card. Permits can be acquired at any time and are valid for the calendar year.

Non-resident essential employees of critical Dare County businesses, such as food distribution/supply, pharmacies, banking institutions, fuel distribution/stations, property and hotel management, building supply stores, North Carolina-licensed/credentialed building contractors and insurance adjusters/agents, will be permitted reentry to begin the recovery process only with a permit and proper identification.

Business owners and/or managers can obtain permits for their essential employees online. Permits can be acquired at any time and are valid for the calendar year. Applicants will need to have their Dare County Business Personal Parcel Number to complete the application. Your Business Personal Parcel Number can be found on the upper right corner of your annual “Business Personal - Tax Listing Form.” If you do not know your Business Personal Parcel Number or you are unable to find it, contact the Business Personal Property Division of the Dare County Tax Department.

If you are a Dare County resident, click here.

If you are the owner or manager of a Dare County business, click here.

Priority 3 - Nonresident Property Owners & Nonresident Employees of Noncritical Businesses

Priority 3 reentry occurs when areas are deemed safe and normal services have been restored and are again able to support the return of non-resident property owners and non-resident employees of non-critical businesses so that they can begin the recovery process. There may be curfews, prohibitions and other protective measures still in effect to ensure public safety.

Non-resident property owners will be allowed entry with proper documentation. Owners can obtain reentry permits online at any time. Permits are valid for the calendar year that they are issued. To obtain a permit, the non-resident property owners listed on the property tax records will need their Parcel Number and Driver’s License information. Non-residents will also be allowed reentry with a current real property tax bill or property record with matching current government-issued identification.

Non-resident employees of Dare County businesses will be allowed to reenter only to begin the recovery process with a permit. Business owners and/or managers can obtain permits for their employees online. Permits can be acquired at any time and are valid for the calendar year that they are issued.

Applicants will need to have their Dare County Business Personal Parcel Number and their employees' drivers license information to complete the application. Your Business Personal Parcel Number can be found on the upper right corner of your annual “Business Personal - Tax Listing Form.” If you do not know your Business Personal Parcel Number or you are unable to find it, contact the Business Personal Property Division of the Dare County Tax Department.

If you are the owner or manager of a Dare County business, click here.

If you are a non-resident property owner, click here.

Priority 4 - General Public & Visitors

Post Hurricane Tips:

Follow instructions from local officials on post-storm reentry and recovery activities.

Don’t interfere with first responders and damage assessment workers. Stay off of the roads so that they can focus on their tasks.

There may be restrictions on the use of your drinking water supplies. Check with local officials before using your water source if a flood has occurred.

Do not walk or drive through flood waters. They contain contaminants from runoff, debris and often snakes and other small animals that have been displaced by rising waters.

Exercise extreme caution when entering a structure that has been damaged. If electrical outlets have been flooded, contact a licensed electrician.

Only hire licensed contractors to perform repair work.

Building permits for storm repairs are needed. If your property is located within unincorporated Dare County, check with the Dare County Planning Department for permitting procedures before you begin any work. If your property is located within one of the six municipalities in Dare County (Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head or Manteo), please contact your local officials for permitting information and procedures.