New Hanover County Code Enforcement has authority to enforce  code violations within County Limits.

 The Code Enforcement Division of the Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for enforcing the County’s Zoning Ordinance, pertaining to properties within the unincorporated areas of New Hanover County. The codes enforced cover zoning and land use violations, and building code violations.

Violations We Do NOT Enforce:

• Noise - NHC Sheriff’s Office (910) 798-4200    
• High Grass/Tall Weeds - NHC Sheriff’s Office (910) 798-4200
• Animal Complaints - New Hanover County Animal Control (910) 798-6500
   

** ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT IS SUBJECT TO NC PUBLIC RECORDS LAW § 132‑1 **

Potential violations are discovered through citizen complaints, referrals from other agencies, inspector observations in an assigned area and systematic inspections in a target area. Once a complaint is received, a Code Official will conduct an investigation to determine if there is an ordinance violation. If there is a violation, the inspector will attempt to notify the owner verbally and will be mailed a Notice of Violation.

After a Notice of Violation is issued periodic follow-up inspections are conducted to determine if compliance has been met. The owner may telephone New Hanover County Code Enforcement at 910-798-7116 to discuss a plan of action to meet compliance. Follow-up inspections are done to determine if compliance has been met.

Should the owner fail to comply with New Hanover County Code Regulations the County may issue civil penalties per G.S. 153A-123.

New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance 132: Enforcement of Ordinance states-

Section 132: Enforcement of Ordinance

This ordinance may be enforced by any one or more of the remedies authorized by G.S. S153A-123, inculding but not limited to the following:

132-1:  Violation of this ordinance subjects the offender to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a first offense, three hundred dollars ($300.00) for a second offense, and five hundred dollars ($500.00) for a third and subsequent offense to be recovered by the County in a civil action in the nature of debt if the offender does not pay the penalty to the county Finance Office within ten (10) calendar days after the offender has been cited for a violation. Violation of this ordinance shall result only in civil penalties and/or civil action set forth herein and shall not entail criminal sanctions. (1/5/98)

132-2:  This ordinance may be enforced by an appropriate   equitable remedy issuing from a court of competent jurisdiction.

132-3:  This ordinance may be enforced by injunction, order of abatement, or both, as provided in G.S. 153A-123(e). 

132-4:  Each days' continuing violation of the ordinance is a separate and distinct offense.

Complaints that have imminent threat of public safety are immediately referred to and handled by the appropriate department; all other complaints are prioritized by severity of violation. If you believe you have a violation to report, please contact New Hanover Code Enforcement to report a complaint.