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

The notice required by Section 2-6-05.B.3.A must identify the property and describe the nuisance, direct the owner to remove or remedy it, give a compliance period of no more than 90 days, warn that the county will enter and abate the condition if the deadline passes, and disclose that unpaid county cleanup costs become a lien on the property collectable as unpaid taxes. The same notice must tell the owner of a right to appeal to the Zoning Administrator within 15 calendar days of receipt.

If the owner cannot be located after due diligence, Section 2-6-05.B.3.B requires posting the notice on the property at least 10 days before a hearing and publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation at least once, no later than a week before that hearing. An owner who appeals may argue only two things under Section 2-6-05.B.3.C: whether they actually own the property, or whether the condition is really dangerous or prejudicial to public health or safety; not having caused the condition is not a defense.

The Zoning Administrator rules within 15 days, and an owner may appeal that ruling to the Board of Adjustment and, beyond that, to Superior Court. Enforcement runs through Code Enforcement Officers in the Planning and Development Department and the Sheriff's Office, who may issue a warning letter for a first offense before escalating to a citation.