Gastonia, NC Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing article
- Chapter 16, Article VII (nonhousing buildings)
- Enforcing officer
- Inspections superintendent
- Hearing deadline
- Within 10 days of condemnation notice
- Compliance period
- At least 60 days ordered by inspector
- Appeal window
- 10 days to city council
- Noncompliance penalty
- Misdemeanor, each day a separate offense
Summary
Gastonia's inspections superintendent can condemn any non-housing structure that is especially dangerous to life from fire hazards, defective construction, decay, or unsafe wiring under Sec. 16-206. After posting a condemnation notice, the owner gets a hearing and an order to repair, close, vacate, or demolish within at least 60 days.
(a) It is hereby found and declared that there exist in the City of Gastonia structures and buildings other than buildings utilized for housing of humans (hereinafter called "buildings") which are especially dangerous to life because of defects in such buildings increasing the hazards of fire, accidents, and other calamities; or because of bad condition of walls, overloaded floors, defective construction, decay, unsafe wiring or heating system, or inadequate means of egress; or because of their violation of the minimum standards prescribed in the regulatory codes adopted by the city and appearing in article II of this chapter; or because of other conditions rendering the buildings unsafe or unsanitary, and dangerous and otherwise inimical to the welfare of the citizens of the city. (b) In order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Gastonia, it is the purpose of this article to provide procedures for the repair, closing or demolition of the aforesaid buildings.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 16-206(a)-(b) declares that buildings dangerous to life from fire hazards, defective walls, overloaded floors, decay, unsafe wiring or heating, or code violations are subject to this article so the city can order repair, closing, or demolition. Under Sec. 16-207, the inspections superintendent investigates such buildings, can enter premises for inspection, and the city will refuse utility hookups to a vacant dangerous building until it is inspected and a certificate of compliance issued; no building, plumbing, electrical, or other permit can issue for an addition, alteration, or repair to such a building until an inspection determines the feasibility of rehabilitation.
Sec. 16-208 lets the superintendent post a notice reading "This building is hereby declared unsafe and is condemned; the use or occupation of this building is prohibited and unlawful," with a copy and inspection report delivered or mailed to the owner. Sec. 16-209 requires written notice of a hearing within ten days if the owner fails to act, and Sec. 16-210 lets the superintendent, after hearing, order repair, closing, vacating, or demolition within a period the superintendent sets, not less than 60 days. Sec. 16-212 allows the owner to appeal that order to the city council within ten days of issuance, after which the order becomes final.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or using a building posted as condemned under Sec. 16-208 is a misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, and removing the posted notice is a separate misdemeanor under G.S. 160A-427. Failing to comply with a Sec. 16-210 repair, vacate, or demolition order from which no appeal is taken is a misdemeanor under G.S. 160A-431 per Sec. 16-211(c), with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense, on top of the city's in personam and in rem court remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when Gastonia condemns a dangerous building?
Can I appeal a condemnation order in Gastonia?
What is the penalty for ignoring a Gastonia condemnation order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gastonia
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