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

070 authorizes the Inspections Department to periodically inspect for unsafe, insanitary or hazardous conditions and enter premises at reasonable hours upon presenting credentials. 071, once a local Inspector finds defects or dangerous or fire-hazardous conditions, the owner or occupant must be notified and must immediately remedy the problem. 072 lets the Inspector formally condemn a building that is especially dangerous because of fire liability, bad wall condition, overloaded floors, defective construction, decay, unsafe wiring or heating, or inadequate egress, and requires a notice of the dangerous character to be posted on the exterior.

073 for anyone to remove that condemnation notice. 074 requires written notice by certified mail or personal service describing the hazard and scheduling a hearing before the Inspector at least ten days out, where the owner may appear with counsel and present evidence; if the owner cannot be located, posting the notice on the building for ten days plus one newspaper publication satisfies service. 075 lets the Inspector issue a written order to repair, close, vacate or demolish the structure within a period the Inspector sets, which cannot be less than 60 days.

076 gives the owner ten days from the order to appeal in writing to the county governing board, whose decision to affirm or revoke the order is final if no appeal is filed.