Owners of vacant lots in Winston-Salem must keep grass and weeds under 12 inches and remove trash and debris. The city can abate overgrown lots through the Weed Cutting Program and bill the owner with a lien for nonpayment.
Under Winston-Salem Code Chapter 46 and Chapter 14, owners of vacant parcels are responsible for maintaining the property free of excessive vegetation, accumulated trash, abandoned appliances, and inoperable vehicles. Grass and weeds cannot exceed 12 inches in height. When a complaint is received or proactive inspection identifies a violation, Code Administration issues a notice giving the owner 10 days to abate. If the owner does not cut the lot, the city contracts a mowing crew and bills the owner. Unpaid bills become a lien on the property recorded with the Forsyth County Register of Deeds. The Junk Removal program addresses accumulated debris, tires, and furniture on vacant parcels. Abandoned and unsecured structures on vacant lots fall under the Minimum Housing Code and may be ordered demolished. Vacant lots in the Downtown Business District must meet stricter maintenance standards per the Downtown Streetscape and Property Maintenance rules.
Weed cutting abatement typically costs $150 to $400 per cycle, plus a $100 administrative fee. Repeated offenses can trigger $100 per day civil penalties.
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem driveways require permits for new curb cuts and must meet UDO standards for width and paving material. Residential driveways limited to 24 feet...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem street parking is free in residential areas with 72-hour maximum stays. Downtown has metered parking with enforcement 8 AM to 6 PM Monday throu...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem defines abandoned vehicles as those parked on public streets over 72 hours or inoperative vehicles on private property. Police tag suspicious v...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem prohibits parking of commercial vehicles over 1 ton in residential zoning districts. Semi-trucks, dump trucks, and large delivery vehicles cann...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem is not in a designated high-severity wildfire zone, but wooded neighborhoods along Salem Creek, Muddy Creek, and the western edge near Pilot Mo...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem permits recreational fire pits under the NC Fire Code (Section 307) when fires are contained, attended, and set back at least 25 feet from stru...
See how Winston-Salem's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.