The Town of Knightdale wants its neighborhoods and structures to stay in good condition as they age. For most citizens, a home is the largest investment they will ever make. One function of Code Enforcement is to protect this investment. If the individual property owner is not maintaining their properties in accordance with the Ordinance requirements, Code Enforcement will enforce the building and zoning codes relevant to each situation.
The most common code violations are highlighted below.
Disabled, abandoned or junk vehicles cannot be stored on the premises. If a vehicle is deemed to be abandoned, junked, disabled or a nuisance, a Notice of Violation (NOV) may be issued and the vehicle would either have to be removed or repaired in accordance with the Notice of Violation. (Town Code, Chapter 80)
Junk, trash and debris cannot be left in the yard and must be properly disposed. This includes: junk, auto parts, appliances, furniture, building materials, tires, trash, such as discarded paper, cardboard, plastics, etc., and yard waste, such as tree trimmings and fallen limbs. If junk, trash or debris is discovered, a Notice of Violation (NOV) may be issued and the materials must be removed in accordance with the Notice of Violation. (Town Code, Chapter 83)
Yard maintenance is the responsibility of every property owner and needs to include the maintenance of overgrown areas on a regular basis. Grass shall be kept trimmed below 12 inches. If properties within Town limits are not maintained and the grass height exceeds 12 inches, a Notice of Violation (NOV) will be issued. The grass will need to be cut by the date specified in the NOV to avoid monetary penalties. (Town Code, Chapter 83)
The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for working with property owners to correct Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) violations. UDO violations may occur in both Town limits and in the Town's extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Violations may include, but are not limited to the following:
- illegal home occupations
- signage
- dumpster enclosures and screenings
- setbacks and structure violations
- parking lot landscaping and screening
- illegal uses
If a UDO violation is confirmed, a Notice of Violation (NOV) will be issued and the violation would either have to be removed, repaired, or corrected in accordance with the Notice of Violation. If the situation is resolved, no further action will be taken at that time.
If it is determined that a code violation exists, the following process takes place:
If the Code Enforcement Officer determines there is a violation, the property owner will receive a Notice of Violation (NOV). The NOV will include information on how to correct the violation and a time frame in which the violation has to be corrected in order to avoid fines. If the property owner requests additional time to cure the violation(s), staff will review the request on 1. the severity of the violation(s) and 2. the progress made to cure the violation(s) and will follow-up with the property owner once this determination is made. If the violation is not corrected, it may be subject to financial penalties in accordance with Ch. 14 of the Unified Development Ordinance.
If you would like to report a possible violation, please reach out to the Code Enforcement Officer or use the link below: