Wake County does not impose a wildfire-zone defensible-space rule like California does. Instead, brush, weed, and refuse abatement is handled at the municipal level (e.g., Raleigh Code §7-2005 on pre-collection practices: "No person shall burn leaves, shrubs, tree limbs, and the like on the streets or sidewalks or on private property except upon special permission from the Fire Code Official") and under the NC Fire Code §304 (combustible-vegetation accumulations creating a fire hazard).
Under NCFC §304.1.2, weeds, grass, vines, or other growth that is capable of being ignited and endangering property is prohibited; the Fire Code Official can order removal as a fire hazard. Inside Raleigh, code-enforcement officers act on tall-grass/weeds complaints under Raleigh Code Part 12 (Public Health). In unincorporated Wake County, the County's Code Enforcement office handles nuisance vegetation under Chapter 90 (Nuisances). Disposal must use curbside yard-waste collection or a Wake County Solid Waste Convenience Center — open burning of brush is prohibited where curbside collection exists (DEQ 15A NCAC 02D.1903).
NCFC §109 / NCGS §143-138(j) — Class 3 misdemeanor, fine up to $500 per occurrence with each day a separate offense; the Fire Code Official may also issue abatement orders and recover removal costs as a lien against the property under NCGS §160A-193 / §153A-140 (municipal vs. county authority).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Cary, NC
Cary regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound permits available for events. N.C.G.S. §14-288.4 applies to unreasonable disturbances.
Cary, NC
Cary Code of Ordinances Chapter 22, Division 2 prohibits unreasonably loud, disturbing noises that annoy, disturb, or endanger citizens. The ordinance restri...
Cary, NC
Cary regulates construction noise through its general noise ordinance (Chapter 22). Construction activity near residential areas should be confined to reason...
Cary, NC
Cary's noise ordinance covers barking dogs under the general prohibition on disturbing noises. Persistently barking dogs that disturb neighbors may result in...
Cary, NC
Cary's Land Development Ordinance restricts parking of RVs, boats, and trailers in residential areas. These vehicles typically must be stored in rear or side...
Cary, NC
Cary restricts parking of commercial vehicles in residential zones. Large commercial vehicles, semi-trucks, and heavy equipment may not be stored in resident...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wake County.
See how other cities in Wake County handle brush clearance.
See how Cary's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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