Concord, NC Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Entry standard
- Reasonable times, with credentials
- Refusal penalty
- $500 fine, misdemeanor (Sec. 14-43)
- Civil penalty
- $500 debt action
- Repair order window
- 30-90 days (Sec. 14-44)
- Extension available
- Up to 1 year, owner-occupied
- Second inspection fee
- Administrative fee applies (Sec. 14-40)
Summary
Concord's housing code officer may enter and inspect any dwelling, dwelling unit or premises at reasonable times after presenting proper credentials under City Code Sec. 14-42. Owners and occupants must give free access for that inspection, and occupants must also admit the owner to make repairs. Refusing entry after a G.S. 15-27.2 warrant is a misdemeanor under Sec. 14-43.
For the purpose of making inspections, the officer is hereby authorized, upon presentation of proper credentials, to enter, examine and survey at all reasonable times all dwellings, dwelling units and premises. The owner or occupant of every dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit or the person in charge shall give the officer free access to such dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit and its premises at all reasonable times for the purposes of such inspection, examination and survey. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall give the owner, or his agent or employee, access to any part of such dwelling or dwelling unit and its premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of this article or with any lawful order issued pursuant to the provisions of this article. If the owner or occupant refuses admission for this purpose, admission may be obtained through the provisions of G.S. 15-27.2.
Full Breakdown
Under City Code Sec. 14-42, the housing code enforcement officer needs only to present proper credentials to enter, examine and survey any dwelling, dwelling unit or premises in Concord at reasonable times. The owner, occupant or person in charge must give the officer free access for that inspection, and any occupant must in turn let the owner or the owner's agent into the unit to make repairs or alterations needed to satisfy an inspection order. If entry is refused, the officer does not simply walk away: Sec.
S. 00 civil penalty collectible as a debt. Inspections feed directly into the Article II enforcement track at Sec. 14-44: after a complaint from at least five residents or the officer's own findings, the officer holds a hearing between 10 and 30 days after service, then issues written findings ordering repairs within 30 to 90 days, or ordering the structure vacated and demolished if it is dilapidated. Owner-occupants can request an extension up to one year, non-owner-occupied units up to 180 days, both for good cause shown to the chief of police.
No fee applies to the first compliance inspection after such an order, but the city charges an administrative fee starting with the second inspection under Sec. 14-40.
Violations & Fines
Refusing an officer entry after a G.S. 15-27.2 warrant is a misdemeanor carrying a $500.00 fine, and the city can separately pursue a $500.00 civil penalty as a debt action under Sec. 14-43. Owners who ignore a repair, vacate or demolition order issued under Sec. 14-44 face an administrative fee under Sec. 14-40 that escalates with each additional inspection, and the city may issue a housing code citation once the notice period expires without compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Concord's housing inspector need my permission to enter my home?
What happens after Concord orders repairs to my dwelling?
Is there a fee for a Concord housing inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Concord
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