Just cause eviction rules in Winston-Salem, NC — sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances — list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Winston-Salem has no just-cause eviction ordinance. North Carolina is a landlord-friendly state where evictions follow NCGS Chapter 42 (Landlord and Tenant) statewide rules. Landlords may decline to renew leases without stating a cause once the lease term ends.
North Carolina does not authorize municipalities to impose just-cause eviction requirements, and Winston-Salem has not attempted to adopt such a rule. Eviction proceedings are governed by NCGS Chapter 42, Article 3 (Summary Ejectment). Landlords must provide 10 days written notice for nonpayment of rent (NCGS 42-3), 7 days notice for week-to-week tenancies, or 30 days notice for month-to-month tenancies terminating at the end of a rental period. Summary ejectment cases are filed in Forsyth County Small Claims Court before a magistrate. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is prohibited under NCGS 42-25.6 through 42-25.9 and exposes landlords to treble damages. Tenants have 10 days to appeal a magistrate judgment to District Court. The NC Residential Rental Agreements Act (NCGS 42-38 et seq.) sets statewide standards that cannot be altered by municipal ordinance.
Illegal self-help eviction (lockouts, utility shutoffs, removal of belongings) under NCGS 42-25.9 can trigger actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees. Wrongful retention of security deposits beyond 30 days violates NCGS 42-52.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Winston-Salem, NC
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