Forsyth County, NC Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing clause
- Forsyth County Code § 7-113
- Min. heat
- 68°F, 3 ft above floor, when 20°F+ outside
- Enforcer
- County housing administrator (§ 7-120)
- Repair vs. demolish
- 60% of value is the cost cutoff
- Appeal
- Zoning board of adjustment, 10 days
- Penalty
- Class 3 misdemeanor; occupying posted unit = Class 1
Summary
Every dwelling, dwelling unit, or rooming unit rented or occupied in unincorporated Forsyth County must meet the minimum standards of fitness set out in section 7-113 of the county code: sound structure, working plumbing and heating, adequate light and ventilation, and freedom from pest infestation. The housing administrator enforces these standards and can order repair or demolition of a dwelling found unfit.
Standards for dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, and manufactured homes shall be: (1)Every dwelling, dwelling unit, and rooming unit used or intended to be used for human habitation shall comply with the applicable North Carolina State Building Codes and with all standards of fitness for human habitation and the requirements as set forth herein.(2)No person shall occupy, let to another for occupancy, or used for human habitation any dwelling, dwelling unit, or rooming unit which does not comply with the minimum standards of fitness for human habitation as set forth in this article.(3)Every manufactured home used for human habitation shall comply with all applicable codes, at the time of manufacture, and with all regulations promulgated by the North Carolina State Building Code Council, and with the standards set forth in this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 68).
Full Breakdown
as set forth herein," and bars anyone from occupying or letting out a unit that doesn't meet those standards. Section 7-114 requires structurally sound walls, floors, roofs, and foundations, free of rot or holes that could admit rodents. Section 7-115 sets a minimum indoor temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, measured three feet above the floor, whenever it's 20 degrees or colder outside, requires a kitchen sink, lavatory, and tub or shower with hot and cold water, and mandates electrical wiring meeting the National Electrical Code with at least two outlets per habitable room.
Section 7-117 requires weathertight, rodent-proof exteriors, pest control, and yards graded for drainage. Enforcement runs through the county's housing administrator under section 7-120, who inspects dwellings, and under section 7-122 can order repairs within a set deadline if the fix costs 60% or less of the dwelling's value, or demolition if it doesn't; failure to comply lets the administrator do the repair or demolition itself and file a lien against the property under section 7-122(e). Appeals of any housing administrator order go to the zoning board of adjustment within ten days under section 7-124, with further review by the Superior Court of Forsyth County within fifteen days of the board's decision.
Violations & Fines
Violating this article is a Class 3 misdemeanor under section 7-125(a). Where the housing administrator finds a dwelling actually unfit for habitation, occupying it after it's posted as such under section 7-122(c) is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and the county may pursue equitable remedies including injunctions and orders of abatement under sections 7-125(d) and 7-126.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic habitability standards for a Forsyth County rental?
Who do I complain to if my rental isn't meeting these standards?
Can a landlord be forced to demolish instead of repair?
Can a landlord appeal a repair-or-demolish order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
Compare Forsyth County to another location·View the North Carolina rental property rules overview
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