When buying or selling a house on Lake Norman it is important to hire a real estate agent that is familiar with the lake. A REALTOR with knowledge and experience can help you through the process and advise you. A home is one of the most expensive things that we buy in our lifetime. Do not leave it to chance by hiring a real estate agent that is not familiar and experienced with lakefront properties.
Duke Energy Lake Services is the authority that authorizes lake use and oversees shoreline management. Duke Lake Services manages requests for piers, docks and other shoreline structures, they help preserve the environmental, recreational and cultural value of Lake Norman and the other surrounding lakes in the area.
If you own a dock on Lake Norman there should be a small license plate located on your dock. This plate has your dock permit number on it. If you are the original owner of the dock you should have also received a letter as well as a plate from Duke Energy Lake Services. If you have misplaced the letter all you have to do is contact Duke Energy Lake Services and they will send you a copy. If your dock does not have a plate on it do not fret. They sometimes fall off into the lake. If you are not the owner that built the dock and have never applied for a maintenance permit the odds are that your dock is not registered in your name.
Shoreline management requires that your dock is registered in your name in order for them to release information to you about the dock. There is an owner transfer form that is located on Duke Energy's Website. The form can be found here. There you will find the link to the Lake Permit Application & User’s Agreement. You will need to fill out this form, check the transfer of ownership box and pay the fee. Duke Energy Lake Services will transfer the dock into your name and send you a letter of confirmation for your dock. If your plate is missing they will install a plate at that time.
When purchasing a waterfront home or lot that already has a dock in place it is very important that the seller of the property has the dock in their name and a copy of the letter from Duke Energy Lake Services. A plate on the dock is a start but the Duke Energy Lake Services letter is key. Most buyers’ agents and closing attorneys will ask for a copy of this letter. Many closing attorneys are advising their buyers not to close on the home until this letter has been received from Duke Energy Lake Services and provided to the buyer. The process can take up to 45 Days. If you are thinking of selling in the near future and are not the original owner that built the dock you should contact Duke Energy Lake Services to confirm the dock is registered in your name.
Before you make changes to piers, docks or shoreline property on Lake Norman, contact the Duke Energy Lake Services team at [email protected] or call them at (704) 382-8086 or (800) 443-5193. They will help you work through the permitting process and provide the information you need to transfer the dock into your name.
