Fayetteville, NC Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Sec. 14-31 requires a principal room of at least 120 square feet, an 80-square-foot kitchen-dining combination, at least 70 square feet in a single-occupant sleeping room (50 square feet per additional occupant 12 or older, 35 for younger), and at least seven feet, six inches of ceiling height over half the floor area in every habitable room. Sec. 14-32 requires window area of at least eight percent of floor area unless six footcandles of artificial light is supplied, plus screened, self-closing exterior doors between May 1 and November 1.

Sec. 14-37 requires water heaters capable of delivering water at not less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to every tub, shower, lavatory and kitchen sink. Sec. 14-38 requires heating facilities that hold habitable rooms at 68 degrees Fahrenheit measured three feet above the floor and two feet from exterior walls; portable space heaters do not satisfy the requirement. Sec. 14-39 forbids an owner from letting a vacant unit unless it is reasonably clean, sanitary and fit for human occupancy, bars shutting off any required utility except for temporary repairs approved by the building inspector, and makes the owner responsible for furnishing screens and securing vacant buildings. The building inspector (Sec. 14-8) administers the chapter and the board of appeals (Secs. 14-9, 14-10) hears disputes.