Rowan County, NC Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Sec. 7-136 lets the codes enforcement supervisor condemn as unsafe any building appearing especially dangerous to life from fire risk, bad wall conditions, overloaded floors, defective construction, decay, unsafe wiring or heating, or inadequate egress, and requires a danger notice affixed to a conspicuous exterior spot. If the owner does not promptly correct the problem, Sec. 7-137 requires written notice by certified mail or personal service, followed by a hearing before the codes enforcement supervisor within ten days, where the owner can appear with counsel and present evidence; if the owner cannot be located, notice can instead be posted on the building at least ten days before the hearing and published once in a newspaper.

Sec. 7-138 authorizes an order to repair, close, vacate, or demolish within not less than sixty days, shortened if there is imminent danger to life or property. Sec. 7-139 gives the owner ten days to appeal that order to the Board of Commissioners, after which the order becomes final if unappealed. If the owner still refuses to comply, Sec. 7-142 sends the matter to the county manager for the board's agenda, and Sec. § 105-355.