Franklin County, NC Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)

Under the Unified Development Code (Appendix A) § 3.3.1, whenever the Administrator receives a complaint alleging a violation of the UDO, or other information suggesting one, the Administrator must investigate and determine whether a violation exists. There is no threshold or standing requirement in the text; any complaint or piece of information suggesting noncompliance obligates an investigation. If the Administrator finds a violation, § 3.3.2 requires a written notice to the landowner and any development-approval holder, delivered in person or by certified or registered mail, describing the violation and the corrective action needed, and inviting a meeting to discuss resolution.

A final notice under § 3.3.3 sets a reasonable correction deadline, states which remedies the Administrator may pursue if the deadline is missed, and advises that the correction order can be appealed to the Board of Adjustment under § 3.3.4, which generally stays enforcement while the appeal is pending. An owner may request a written extension of the deadline under § 3.3.5 if correction is impossible for reasons beyond their control. If the violation is not corrected in time, § 3.4.2 lets the Administrator pursue permit revocation, permit denial, a civil penalty up to $500.00 per day the violation remains uncorrected, criminal prosecution as a Class 3 misdemeanor carrying a maximum $500.00 fine, a stop-work order, or other equitable relief in court, and these remedies are cumulative rather than exclusive.