Rose Hill, NC Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Chapter 152 defines a BLIGHTED PROPERTY as any vacant building, or vacant separate unit of one, that the town determines is neglected or poorly maintained, looking at factors like missing or boarded windows or doors, collapsing or missing walls, roof or floors, seriously damaged or missing siding, faulty foundations, broken glass, crumbling stone or brick, peeling paint, graffiti, and overgrown or dilapidated yards. A VACANT BUILDING is one without a resident or occupant, or not put to lawful use, for 60 days or longer. 03 makes it unlawful for any owner of real property in the town to cause or allow a blighted property to be created or to continue.

05 runs through the Town Administrator or a designated Code Enforcement Official, who performs periodic inspections within the town's planning jurisdiction and, on finding a violation, serves a written complaint stating the conditions and setting a hearing at Town Hall between 10 and 30 days after service. The owner may answer and testify at that hearing. If the Code Enforcement Official finds a violation after the hearing, a written notice of violation orders repair, improvement or demolition within a specified period not to exceed 60 days.

Complaints and notices served by certified mail are presumed received three days after mailing if unclaimed. An owner aggrieved by the decision may appeal in writing to the Town Board within ten days of the notice of violation, and the Board may affirm, modify and affirm, or revoke the order. 04 separately voids lease clauses that block a landlord from terminating a lease once a tenant has vacated or from re-leasing the unit afterward.