Winston-Salem's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Rent Control

North Carolina preempts rent control through NCGS 42-14.1, prohibiting any city or county from enacting rent stabilization or rent control ordinances. Winston-Salem has no rent control and cannot legally adopt one. Landlords may set market rates freely.

Key details: State Law: NCGS 42-14.1 preemption. Effective: Since 1987. Scope: All rental property. Local Authority: None. Notice: One rental period month-to-month.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Winston-Salem gives residents more flexibility on rent control.

Just Cause Eviction

Winston-Salem has no just-cause eviction ordinance. North Carolina is a landlord-friendly state where evictions follow NCGS Chapter 42 (Landlord and Tenant) statewide rules. Landlords may decline to renew leases without stating a cause once the lease term ends.

Key details: Local Rule: None - NCGS 42 controls. Nonpayment Notice: 10 days (NCGS 42-3). Month-to-Month: 30 days notice required. Venue: Forsyth County Small Claims. Self-Help: Prohibited (NCGS 42-25.9).

Illegal self-help eviction (lockouts, utility shutoffs, removal of belongings) under NCGS 42-25.9 can trigger actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees. Wrongful retention of security deposits beyond 30 days violates NCGS 42-52.

The rules around just cause eviction in Winston-Salem lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rental Registration

Winston-Salem does not maintain a citywide rental registration program. Rental properties must comply with the Minimum Housing Code in Chapter 14 of the City Code, and landlords can be compelled to register only after repeated code violations under NCGS 160D-1207 limits.

Key details: Citywide Registry: None required. State Limit: NCGS 160D-1207. Enforcement: Complaint-driven. Code Reference: City Code Chapter 14. Problem Properties: May be ordered to register.

Failure to correct Minimum Housing Code violations can result in civil penalties of $100 per day per violation under the City Code. Unsafe structures may be ordered vacated or demolished by Code Administration.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Winston-Salem gives residents more room on rental property rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Winston-Salem's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.