Under the terms of the Local Government and Rating Act 1997 the council is required to compile and maintain a ‘rural settlement list’.
This is for the purpose of administering the Rural Rate Relief Scheme.
A ‘rural settlement ‘must:

1. Be within a ‘rural area’ as defined under the Housing (Right to Acquire) (Designated Rural Areas in the South West) Order 1997, and
2. Have a population of not more than 3000 on the preceding 31st December

The Rural Settlement List for North Devon Council for 2019/2020:

• Arlington
• Ashford
• Atherington
• Berrynarbor
• Bishops Nympton
• Bishops Tawton
• Bittadon
• Bratton Fleming
• Brayford
• Brendon
• Burrington
• Countisbury 
• Challacombe
• Chittlehamholt
• Chittlehampton
• Chulmleigh
• Combe Martin
• East Anstey
• East Down
• East Worlington
• East and West Buckland
• Filleigh
• George Nympton
• Georgeham
• Goodleigh
• Heanton Punchardon
• Horwood
• Instow
• Kentisbury
• Kings Nympton
• Knowstone
• Landkey
• Lovacott 
• Lincombe and Lee
• Loxhore
• Lynton and Lynmouth
• Mariansleigh
• Martinhoe
• Marwood
• Meshaw
• Molland
• Mortehoe
• Newton Tracey
• North Molton
• Parracombe
• Pilton West
• Queens Nympton
• Rackenford
• Romansleigh
• Rose Ash 
• Satterleigh and Warkleigh
• Shirwell
• Stoke Rivers
• Swimbridge
• Tawstock
• Trentishoe
• Twitchen
• West Anstey
• West Down
• Westleigh
• Witheridge