Code Enforcment Information

The Code Enforcement Section of the County Department of Planning and GIS Services administers the Richmond County Code of Ordinance along with the Zoning Ordinance and other land use development codes.  Code enforcement staff investigates reported violation of the County Code to insure the protection of property and quality of life for all citizen of Richmond County.  In general, if a violation is found to exist, the offender is given a Notice of Violation with instruction to clear or abate the violation within a prescribed time or face the possibly of additional enforcement action.  This additional enforcement action could include civil fines and penalties and/or court injunctions and other legal proceedings.  If the Notice of Violation (NOV) is thought to be excessive or unwarranted, the recipient of the NOV may appeal to the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment (PZBOA) for review.

The overriding intent of Code Administration is to achieve compliance to the public code, which will hopefully raise the quality of life in Richmond County.  There is limited county staff responsible for the fieldwork in the Code Enforcement Section.  For the most part violations are investigated on a compliant basis.  If you suspect a violation and would like the Code Enforcement staff to investigate the situation, please call (910)-417-4918.

To view the County Codes click here.

Major Code Enforcement Projects

East Rockingham Initiative 

East Rockingham is a non-incorporated community on the south and east side of Rockingham. It was developed as three mill villages and over the past several years has been in severe decline. From 1961 to 2003, the City of Rockingham had exercised its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) in the East Rockingham Area. As of July 2003, the development responsibilities were turned over to Richmond County with the exception of the Hannah Picket Mill Village and the Safie Plant of L’eggs Corporation. Rockingham sewer serves portions of the area and Hamlet Water serves most all of the area of the East Rockingham community. A severe problem exists in the Community in regard to dilapidated structures and junk cars. There are estimated 84 dilapidated structures and over 120 junk cars in the East Rockingham Community. Furthermore, there are over 250 homes identified as having irreparable septic systems. The Richmond County Planning Board held two Community meetings in the area, which provided residents and citizens an opportunity to express opinions. There are overwhelming sentiments from the community citizens that the time has come to begin cleaning up the community. As a result of a Cole Foundation Grant, clean-up activity began in 2005.