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

Sampson County Code Sec. 2-18-07 sets out the county's complaint process for suspected zoning violations in the unincorporated area. A citizen of Sampson County, or anyone who owns land there, may file a written complaint describing the cause and basis of a believed violation of the Zoning Ordinance. If the complaint is made by phone rather than in writing, the complainant has the right to remain anonymous. Once a complaint comes in, the Zoning Officer investigates, and if the property is found to be in violation, the Zoning Officer may first make informal contact with the property owner and try to get the violation fixed voluntarily.

If compliance is not reached after that informal contact, the county issues a formal Notice of Violation under G.S. 160D-404(a), delivered by certified mail to the permit holder and, separately, to the property owner if that is a different person. A formal notice must describe the violation and its location, include any lawfully obtained photographic evidence, list the measures needed to bring the property into compliance, state a time period to correct it, and notify the recipient of the right to appeal. That appeal runs to the Sampson County Planning Board under G.S.

160D-405, and Sec. 2-18-08 gives the violator the right to have the Planning Board affirm, reverse, or modify the determination, with further appeal to Sampson County Superior Court under G.S. 160D-1402.