Property Maintenance in Durham County, NC (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Durham County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Property Blight
Durham County can order owners to clean up junk, overgrown lots, and dangerous conditions on their own property under Sec. 20-18, adopted under G.S. 130A-309.61 and G.S. 153A-121, -123 and -140. High grass over 12 inches, accumulated junk and debris, stagnant water, and unsecured structures all count, with a formal notice, hearing, appeal, and lien process behind it.
Public Health Nuisance Abatement in Durham County
Some RestrictionsDurham County Code § 20-18(1)
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to create a public health nuisance on any parcel of land or allow a nuisance to remain on their property. Public health nuisances are defined as any action or condition that is dangerous or prejudicial to public health or safety, and include, but are not limited to, the following: a. Accumulated junk, tires, trash, refuse, or construction debris th...
Vacant Lot Maintenance
Vacant lots in Durham are held to the same standard as occupied ones. Dense weeds, vines, briars, or undergrowth, and accumulated refuse on an unoccupied lot are declared public nuisances the City can order cleared and abate at the owner's cost.
Durham vacant-lot weeds and debris nuisance
Some RestrictionsDurham City Code Sec. 26-181
It is further found and determined that there exist in the city lots and tracts of land, occupied and unoccupied, privately and publicly owned, upon which dense growths of weeds, vines, briars or undergrowth have been allowed to grow, accumulate or remain.
Property Maintenance by City in Durham County
1 cities in Durham County have their own property maintenance rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Durham County ordinances
See every category we cover for Durham County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Durham County Ordinance Hub →