Moving to Matthews, NC? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Matthews, North Carolina may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 113 tracked ordinances across 26 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: All residential pools over 24 inches deep require a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward. Latch minimum 54 inches above ground.

Also covered: Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Matthews for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Matthews operates under a Phase II NPDES MS4 permit and the Mecklenburg County Post-Construction Stormwater Ordinance. New development disturbing over 1 acre must install stormwater control measures (SCMs) and meet 85 percent TSS removal..

Also covered: Erosion Control (strict), Flood Zones (strict), Grading & Drainage (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Matthews for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Matthews enforces minimum property maintenance standards under Town Code Chapter 50 and N.C.G.S. 160A-441 et seq.

Also covered: Garage Sale Rules (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Matthews for details.

Animal Ordinances

Dog Leash Laws: Matthews requires dogs to be leashed or under physical restraint whenever off the owner's property, enforced through Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control under the countywide animal ordinance..

Also covered: Breed Restrictions (permissive), Pet Limits (moderate), Exotic Pets (strict). See the full animal ordinances guide for Matthews for details.

Building Safety

Elevator Maintenance: Residential and commercial elevators in Matthews regulated by NC Department of Labor, Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau under NCGS 95-110.5 et seq. Annual inspections required; certificates of operation must be posted..

Also covered: Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (moderate), Pest Control (moderate), Lead Paint (strict). See the full building safety guide for Matthews for details.

Accessory Structures

Tiny Homes: Tiny homes on foundations must meet NC Residential Code and Matthews zoning minimum dwelling size. Tiny homes on wheels are treated as RVs and cannot be permanent residences on residential lots..

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate), ADU Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Matthews for details.

Noise Ordinances

Construction Hours: Construction activity in Matthews is generally permitted 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday with Sunday restrictions, consistent with Mecklenburg County construction noise norms and the Matthews UDO..

Also covered: Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Quiet Hours (moderate), Aircraft Noise (permissive). See the full noise ordinances guide for Matthews for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Matthews prohibits open burning of yard waste within town limits. NC DEQ 4 PM rule applies regionally: no burning after 4 PM.

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Backyard Fires (moderate), Smoke Detectors (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Matthews for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Matthews parks close from dusk to dawn unless posted otherwise or permitted for event use. Stumptown Park, Squirrel Lake Park, and other Town parks prohibit entry during closed hours..

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Matthews for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Matthews requires permits to remove specimen or protected trees. UDO tree save rules protect canopy; removal of large healthy trees often triggers mitigation plantings or fees..

Also covered: Tree Trimming (moderate), Artificial Turf (permissive), Native Plants (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Matthews for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Matthews UDO prohibits overnight parking of commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR or with more than 2 axles in residential districts. Tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and box trucks must park in commercial or industrial zones..

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), EV Charging (permissive), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Matthews for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Matthews permits mobile food vendors under UDO Section 5.3 with zoning permits, Mecklenburg County Health Department permits, and NC privilege license. Operations restricted to commercial and industrial zones; no overnight parking..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Matthews for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Matthews prohibits external signage for home occupations. The business must be invisible from the street to preserve residential character, with no yard signs, window signs, or vehicle lettering displays..

Also covered: Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for Matthews for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Matthews STR operators must collect NC state sales tax 4.75%, Mecklenburg County sales tax 2.5%, and Mecklenburg County Room Occupancy Tax 8%. Total tax burden approximately 15.25%..

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate), Insurance Requirements (permissive). See the full short-term rentals guide for Matthews for details.

HOA Rules

CC&R Enforcement: Matthews HOAs enforce CCRs through fines, suspension of privileges, liens, and injunctive relief. NCGS 47F-3-107.1 requires written notice, hearing opportunity, and proportional penalties before fines imposed..

Also covered: Architectural Review (moderate), Board Procedures (moderate), Dispute Resolution (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Matthews for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Matthews UDO caps residential building heights at 35 feet in R-15 and R-20 districts and 40 feet in R-12 and R-8 districts. Downtown mixed-use zones allow up to 65 feet with conditional approval for sites near Matthews Station..

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Matthews for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Matthews UDO Article 5 requires full cutoff shielded fixtures for commercial lighting, maximum 0.5 footcandles at property lines abutting residential, and pole height limits of 25-30 feet depending on district..

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Matthews for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Matthews issues solar panel permits through Planning and Development with electrical and building permits per NC State Building Code. Residential rooftop solar is by-right in all zoning districts.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Matthews for details.

Trash & Recycling

Pickup Rules & Schedules: Matthews provides weekly curbside garbage collection and bi-weekly recycling through contracted service. Residents must place carts curbside by 7 AM on collection day and remove by end of day..

Also covered: Recycling Requirements (permissive), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Matthews for details.

Sign Regulations

Holiday Displays: Matthews places no restrictions on residential holiday decorations or lighting. Commercial holiday displays follow standard sign ordinance for temporary signage.

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (moderate), Political Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Matthews for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Matthews requires door-to-door solicitors to obtain a peddler/solicitor permit from Town Hall. Application includes background check, ID badge, and fee.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Matthews for details.

Fence Regulations

Fence Requirements: Matthews UDO requires a sight-distance triangle at corner lots and driveways limiting fence, wall, and landscaping height to approximately 3 feet within 10 to 25 feet of intersections..

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive), Pool Barriers (strict). See the full fence regulations guide for Matthews for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: North Carolina prohibits local rent control under NCGS 42-14.1. Matthews cannot cap rental rates or impose rent stabilization.

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (permissive), Rental Registration (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Matthews for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Matthews does not require permits for residential garage or yard sales. Limit is 3 sales per household per calendar year, each not to exceed 3 consecutive days.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Home cannabis cultivation is illegal in Matthews and throughout North Carolina. NC has not legalized recreational or medical marijuana.

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Matthews for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone operations in Matthews require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and NC DOT commercial operator permit under N.C.G.S. 63-95.1.

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Matthews for details.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Matthews. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.