Gastonia, NC Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 16-129, Minimum Housing Code
- Occupancy requirement
- Valid certificate of compliance required
- Minimum heat
- 68°F at 3 feet above floor
- Minimum unit size
- 240 sq. ft. habitable floor area
- Electrical service floor
- 100 amps per dwelling unit minimum
- 48-hour repair notice
- $100 civil penalty per violation
- Ongoing noncompliance
- $250 civil penalty per day
Summary
Gastonia's minimum housing code sets the baseline every rental dwelling must meet to be fit for habitation, from working plumbing and a 68-degree heating capacity to a required certificate of compliance under Sec. 16-129. No one may lease or hold out for occupancy any unit that fails these standards without that certificate.
(a) All buildings, dwelling units, roominghouses, and rooming units shall provide for a healthful environment with living facilities arranged and equipped to assure such a condition. Under this section appear the fundamental requirements of this Code which shall be observed in determining the fitness of a building for human habitation. (b) Certificate of compliance. No person shall occupy or allow another to occupy, or hold out for intended use, or allow another to hold out for intended use for human habitation any building, dwelling unit, roominghouse, or rooming unit designed or intended to be used for the purpose of human habitation which does not comply with the standards of this Code and for which a valid certificate of compliance has not been issued. ... (f)(1) Every central or electric heating system shall be of sufficient capacity so as to heat each dwelling unit to which it is connected with a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit measured at a point three feet above the floor during ordinary minimum winter conditions.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 16-129(a) sets the general requirement that every building and dwelling unit "provide for a healthful environment with living facilities arranged and equipped" to that end, and Sec. 16-129(b) bars occupying or holding out for occupancy any unit that does not comply and lacks a valid certificate of compliance. Subsection (c) requires a connection to potable water and sewer, a kitchen sink, lavatory, tub or shower, and water closet in working order, and a water heater capped between 100 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit with a pressure-relief valve.
Subsection (d) requires window area equal to at least 8 percent of a habitable room's floor area, with 45 percent of that openable. Subsection (e) requires at least 100 amps of electrical service per dwelling unit and GFCI protection at kitchen and bathroom receptacles. Subsection (f)(1) requires central or electric heat capable of 68 degrees Fahrenheit measured three feet above the floor, and bars portable heaters as a primary heat source. Subsection (g)(1) requires at least 240 square feet of habitable floor area per unit, with 100 additional square feet per occupant beyond three. Sec. 16-131(a) gives owners 48 hours after written notice to fix hazards like broken plumbing, exposed wiring, or unsafe heating equipment.
Violations & Fines
Renting or holding out a unit that fails Sec. 16-129's fitness standards without a certificate of compliance violates Sec. 16-129(b) outright. An owner who ignores a 48-hour written repair notice for hazards like broken plumbing or wiring owes a $100.00 civil citation under Sec. 16-131(a)(8)a, and once a formal Sec. 16-132 compliance order's deadline passes, Sec. 16-135(b) adds a $250.00 civil penalty for every day noncompliance continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gastonia
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