Cleveland County, NC Ordinances (2026)

Any development in unincorporated Cleveland County that uses a solid waste dumpster must screen the site whenever it would otherwise be clearly visible to residential neighbors, other…

Cleveland County defines yard waste narrowly, as grass, leaves, flowers, stalks, stems, tree trimmings, branches and tree trunks, under Code § 11-28. Anyone who collects, transports or…

Cleveland County requires every garbage container to be durable, rust-resistant, watertight and rodent-proof, with a tight-fitting lid, under Code § 11-34(a)(1). Containers handled…

In unincorporated Cleveland County, only a hauler holding a franchise from the board of commissioners may collect residential curbside solid waste for a fee, under Code § 11-71. A…

Cleveland County runs solid waste and recycling centers across the unincorporated county under Code § 11-40. Waste must go inside the marked container, not beside it, and residents…

Dumping solid waste on any road, public property, park, or someone else's land in Cleveland County violates § 11-34(d), with a $250 fine for a first offense and $500 for every offense…

Unincorporated Cleveland County bars lighting on one lot that unnecessarily illuminates a neighboring lot and substantially interferes with its use or enjoyment under Code section…

Off-premise signs in unincorporated Cleveland County must have lighting effectively shielded so no beam or ray is directed at a road's traveled way or a residential dwelling, and…

In the zoned areas of unincorporated Cleveland County, principal buildings must sit back 30 feet from a street right-of-way (50 feet in the RA and RU districts), 10 feet from a side…

Inside the water supply watersheds mapped under Cleveland County's Water Supply Overlay district, most development can't cover more than 24 percent of a lot with built-upon area…

In unincorporated Cleveland County, any development inside a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area falls under the floodplain overlay zoning district established by Code section…

Development in unincorporated Cleveland County cannot unreasonably impede natural drainage from higher adjacent land or channel collected surface water onto lower adjacent land in…

Before Cleveland County will issue a zoning permit, special use permit, or final subdivision approval for a project that disturbs land within the North Carolina Sedimentation Control…

New construction in a Cleveland County special flood hazard area has to clear the 'regulatory flood protection elevation,' defined in § 12-21 as the base flood elevation plus three…

New and substantially improved residential and nonresidential structures inside an unincorporated Cleveland County special flood hazard area must have their reference level, including…

Cleveland County protects farming through a voluntary agricultural district program under Article XVII of the Unified Development Ordinance. Landowners can enroll at least 50…

Cleveland County records a standing notice in the register of deeds warning that land near a voluntary agricultural district can see pesticide spraying, manure spreading, livestock and…

Off-premise signs in unincorporated Cleveland County may be lighted or luminous, but the lighting or illumination cannot flash, be intermittent, or move, under Code section 12-282(6)…

In unincorporated Cleveland County outside municipal zoning jurisdiction, off-premise signs need a sign permit from the county administrator, and UDO section 12-282 sets bigger numbers…

Cleveland County has no general permit requirement for removing trees or shrubs on private land in the unincorporated county. The only cutting restriction in the Unified Development…

Cleveland County's Sec. 3.7-1 declares overgrown grasses, vegetative growth and rank vegetation on any parcel with an inhabited dwelling in the unincorporated county a violation once…

Cleveland County's Historic Preservation Commission can designate a building, structure, site or object a 'landmark' when it embodies important cultural, social, economic, political…

In unincorporated Cleveland County, a customary home occupation is allowed by right inside any dwelling under Sec. 12-136, capped at 25% of the home's heated floor area with one…

Rural home occupations in unincorporated Cleveland County may post one non-illuminated ground sign, capped at 15 square feet and 4 feet tall, set back at least 10 feet from any…

Cleveland County's Table of Permitted Uses allows Child Day Care (NAICS 62441) by right in eight of the county's ten zoning districts, covering every residential and neighborhood…

In unincorporated Cleveland County, every outdoor swimming pool must be enclosed by a fence or equal barrier at least 4 feet high, fitted with a self-locking, positive self-latching…

A shed or other accessory building on a residential lot in unincorporated Cleveland County must stay out of the required front yard, cover no more than 30 percent of the required rear…

In unincorporated Cleveland County, an accessory building used for human habitation, such as a garage apartment or in-law suite, must sit at least 30 feet from the principal dwelling…

Cleveland County does not regulate small rooftop solar installations separately; its only solar-specific zoning law, Sec. 12-160 of the Unified Development Ordinance, governs…

Cleveland County makes it unlawful to camp, pitch a tent or leave bedding on any county-owned property, including public sidewalks and rights-of-way, under Code § 6-7. The rule targets…

Cleveland County does not set a blanket residential fence-height cap; instead, Sec. 12-173(b)(2) of the Unified Development Ordinance pulls tall fences into the building setback rules…

Cleveland County's public recreation areas along the Broad River close every night, including Sundays, between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. under Code § 7-28. Entering or remaining after…

On the Broad River Greenway, Cleveland County's park land along the river, grilling is confined to designated spots with permanently placed equipment under Code § 7-36(f). Portable or…

Open flames in unincorporated Cleveland County, including bonfires and barbecue pits, must stay at least 50 feet from any structure under § 11-45, though a barbecue pit lets a bonfire…

Cleveland County adopts the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code's open-burning standard under § 11-45: no one may kindle or maintain an open fire without following the section, and a…

Every dwelling unit in unincorporated Cleveland County must have an approved, listed smoke detector installed by the owner under the Minimum Housing Code. Once installed, the occupant…

Cleveland County's fire code, at Section 11-45, lets residents in the unincorporated county build a backyard fire pit or bonfire without a permit as long as it sits at least…

Cleveland County lets residents use only the low-grade 'safe and sane' fireworks state law allows, those with no more than four grams of explosive that stay on the ground, and Section…

Cleveland County bans loitering and rummaging at its sanitary landfill under Code § 11-39(b)(1), along with removing articles from the site, discharging firearms, and driving faster…

Cleveland County makes it a misdemeanor to drink, or attempt to drink, beer, wine or liquor anywhere open to the public in the unincorporated county under Section 6-1, from streets and…

In unincorporated Cleveland County, all plumbing work must follow the North Carolina Plumbing Code, which the county has adopted by reference as its own plumbing code. Any building…

Electrical work in unincorporated Cleveland County must meet the North Carolina Electrical Code, which the county adopts by reference as its own electrical code. All wiring…

Chapter 3.6 gives the county-manager-appointed code enforcement officer statutory power to investigate dwelling and building conditions in unincorporated Cleveland County, keep…

Cleveland County's zoning definitions set real siting standards for two kinds of residential child care under § 12-21. A child care institution housing ten or more foster children…

Cleveland County requires a permit before land use changes, substantial clearing or grading, or building work happens: § 12-31 calls for a zoning permit or a special use permit before…

Under Chapter 3.7, letting an inhabited property in unincorporated Cleveland County pile up trash, junk vehicles, discarded appliances or overgrown vegetation is declared dangerous and…

The county's Minimum Housing Code bars anyone from occupying or renting out a dwelling in unincorporated Cleveland County that fails minimum fitness standards for structure, plumbing…

The Minimum Housing Code requires every dwelling unit in unincorporated Cleveland County to be screened against insects and rodents, and assigns responsibility for extermination to…

Cleveland County's recycling centers will not take sharps or any other infectious waste. Section 11-28 defines infectious waste to include microbiological waste, pathological waste…

Renters in unincorporated Cleveland County can trigger a formal habitability investigation by petition: a public authority or at least five county residents can charge in writing that…

Cleveland County requires anyone operating a massage parlor, health club or working as a masseur or masseuse in the unincorporated county to hold a license from the board of…

Cleveland County bars anyone from opening a pawnshop in the unincorporated county without a license under Section 5-80, and Section 5-81 requires the applicant to be of good moral…

Auto Repair (NAICS 81110) can't operate in any of Cleveland County's five residential zoning districts or in Corridor Protection. Section 12-124's Table of Permitted Uses only opens…

In unincorporated Cleveland County, an owner cannot let an animal run at large so that it habitually disturbs or annoys neighbors under Code § 3-33. Animal Services investigates…

Cleveland County bans camping, and pitching a tent, tarp or bedding, on any county-owned property, including rights-of-way and sidewalks, under Sections 6-6 and 6-7, unless the county…

Cleveland County does not require every pet to be sterilized, but Animal Services can order mandatory spay/neuter as a preventive measure for any animal declared dangerous under Code §…

Unincorporated Cleveland County requires a dog to stay on its owner's property or under restraint. A dog found off that property on a public highway, street, roadway or sidewalk…

Cleveland County has no breed-specific ban. Code § 3-1 defines a dangerous dog by conduct, such as an unprovoked bite or attack, and § 3-51 sets out the probable-cause notice, hearing…

Cleveland County does not ban pet stores from selling dogs or cats. Code § 3-56 bans selling, trading or giving away a live dog or cat on a roadside, right-of-way, parking lot, flea…

Cleveland County does not require every pet to carry a microchip. Under Code § 3-81(5), a microchipped cat is exempt from wearing a rabies tag and collar, and § 3-6(c) directs Animal…

Cleveland County bans possessing or harboring an inherently dangerous animal, defined as species including wolves, big cats, bears, primates, venomous or constrictor reptiles…

Cleveland County has no cat licensing requirement. Instead, Code § 3-122 runs a community cat management program: healthy free-roaming cats entering the shelter are sterilized…

A veterinary office, clinic, or practice (NAICS 54194) needs a special use permit from the Board of Adjustment in Cleveland County's Rural Residential district, but Section 12-124's…

Cleveland County only opens a code enforcement case when a complaint about a Unified Development Ordinance violation is written and signed. Under County Code Section 12-91, the…

In the unincorporated area of Cleveland County, the person who receives a zoning, special use, or sign permit stays legally responsible for maintaining common areas, roads, and…

Cleveland County's Table of Permitted Uses puts data centers (NAICS 518210) by right in only two of ten zoning districts covering the zoned areas of unincorporated Cleveland County…

Cleveland County treats a vehicle as abandoned under § 11-126 if it's left on county property or public grounds for 24 hours, on private property without the owner's consent for 24…