Business Licensing & Operations in New Hanover County, NC (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Hanover County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Massage Establishments
Sec. 14-61 makes it unlawful to work as a massagist or operate a massage parlor in the county without a license from the sheriff, and Sec. 14-37 bars any massage parlor from operating between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., with fingerprinting, age, and criminal-history screening required before licensure.
New Hanover County Massage Parlor Licensing
Significant RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances §§ 14-61, 14-37
It shall be unlawful for any person to work as a massagist or to operate a massage parlor without first obtaining a license under the provisions of this division. ... It shall be unlawful for any massage parlor to operate or conduct business between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Pawnbrokers
Sec. 14-164 makes it unlawful to operate as a pawnbroker in the county without a license from the county manager, and Sec. 14-165 requires good moral character, no felony conviction within ten years, and a sheriff's or SBI clearance letter, with the county adopting the state Pawnbrokers Modernization Act in full.
New Hanover County Pawnbroker Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances §§ 14-164, 14-165(c)
It is unlawful for any person to establish or conduct a business of pawnbroker unless such person has procured a license to conduct business in compliance with the requirements of this article. Violation of the license requirement will invoke the penalties set forth in G.S. 91A-11. ... Licenses shall be granted under this article if the pawnshop is to be operated outside the corporate limits of...
Towing Companies
New Hanover County's sheriff's department keeps an eligible list of garages authorized to tow vehicles at law enforcement's request. Sec. 23-142 requires a listed garage to stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, keep equipment able to tow any car or medium truck, and maintain covered storage for damaged vehicles, with towing privileges rotated quarterly among the qualified garages.
New Hanover County Towing Garage Eligibility
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 23-142
Sec. 23-142. - Qualifications. Before being placed on the eligible list of garages, the applicant must: (1)Keep his garage available 24 hours per day, seven days a week, for use under this article.(2)Have available at all times equipment in good condition capable of towing any automobile or medium weight truck, regardless of size or weight, from the streets and other public or private places in...
Business Licensing & Operations by City in New Hanover County
1 cities in New Hanover County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All New Hanover County ordinances
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