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.
Wake County, NC
Wake County Code §92.05(H), (I), and (L) target industrial and commercial noise: construction over 1,000 ft from residences, loading/unloading noise at night...
Wake County, NC
Wake County Code §92.05(B), (C), (F) prohibits vehicle exhaust noise from out-of-repair or modified vehicles, gong/siren on non-emergency vehicles, and any i...
Wake County, NC
Wake County treats cats the same as dogs under Ch. 91 — owners must vaccinate against rabies at 4 months and keep current tag displayed at all times per §91....
Wake County, NC
Wake County does NOT impose a numeric limit on pets in unincorporated areas. Cities vary: Raleigh allows up to 4 dogs/cats over 4 months per dwelling under §...
Wake County, NC
Wake County Code §130.05 (adopted 11-9-2022, effective 12-9-2022) prohibits firearm discharge within 300 yards of any dwelling, school, church, warehouse, pl...
Wake County, NC
Wake County does not regulate street vending in unincorporated areas (no significant pedestrian retail districts). Within Raleigh, sidewalk vending requires ...
See how Wake County's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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