About Us

Code Compliance is a division of the Planning & Inspections Department and reports directly to the Planning and Inspections Director. The Code Compliance Specialist works to improve the appearance of the community and maintain standards of living by enforcing the Pinehurst Municipal Code (PMC) within the corporate limits of Pinehurst and Pinehurst Development Ordinance (PDO) within the entire jurisdiction of Pinehurst.

   Responsibilities Include:

• Investigates over 1,000 code violations annually. 
• Performs regularly scheduled patrols of neighborhoods for code violations. 
• Issues notices of violation, citations, and civil penalties for non-compliance and obtains administrative search warrants when necessary.
• Coordinates service contractor bidding and contract process for nuisance abatement.

How to Report Code Violations

1. MyVOP app or website
2. Code Compliance Hotline: 910-295-1900, Option 1

You may also report violations by visiting Village Hall during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• What authority does code compliance have in Pinehurst? 
  The authority to conduct code compliance is granted under Chapter 160D and Article 8 of Chapter 160A. Locally, the Pinehurst Development Ordinance (PDO) and the Pinehurst Municipal Code (PMC) are the two regulatory documents which define regulations, violations, and penalties. The regulations within the PDO and PMC are adopted by Village Council. The Code Compliance Specialist can only enforce the specific regulations of the PDO and PMC.

• What violations does code compliance address?
  Common violations include temporary signage, boats, trailers, campers, oversized vehicles, vehicles for sale, junk and unregistered vehicles, unpermitted or non-compliant fences, sheds, propane tanks, basketball hoops, seasonal pools, improperly stored trash and recycling receptacles, tall weeds and grass, chickens and other livestock, openly stored building material or debris, and damaged trees on private property.  

Building code violations can be reported to the Inspections Department through the MyVOP app.

Need assistance on who to contact for a certain issue? View our helpful Who to Call Guide. 

• What related issues does code compliance not address?

Vehicles: Non-expired registered vehicles (not considered commercial or oversized) parked on private property. 
Landscaping: Accumulation of pinecones and leaves; overgrown bushes, hedges, trees or bamboo; neighbor's trees, shrubs, etc. growing over the property line. 
Yard Items/Outdoor Displays: Toys, lawn equipment, grills and similar items in the yard; type, amount, style, color, or height of patio furniture; yard art such as statues, bird baths, small foundations, sculptures etc.; play equipment including basketball goals, trampolines, soccer nets, plastic play houses, and swing sets located at least 10' from the side or rear property line. 
Fences: Fences or barriers under 18" in height; neighbor connecting their fence to your fence without permission.
Building Maintenance: Downspouts, shutters, soffits etc. missing or in need of repair; paint chipping or fading; mold or mildew; windows and doors to home or garage left open. 
Other: Tarp being used to cover vehicle, wood pile, building material etc.; trash and recycling bins visible from street but stored behind the front line of the house and within 5' of the side or rear of the home; neighbor encroaching onto my property without my permission. 

• What is the code compliance process?
  

  When a code violation is reported, an inspection is generally conducted within two business days.  If a code violation is determined to exist, an initial notice is mailed to the property owner informing them of the violation.  Staff will then follow up with a re-inspection in 7 to 10 days.  If the violation still exists, a final 30-day notice of violation is mailed giving a set deadline for compliance.  If the violation continues after the deadline, fines can be levied or violations abated at the owner’s expense and placed as a lien on the property. 

• Will my name be used if I submit a complaint about a particular property?
  Pinehurst accepts anonymous complaints.  However, if you give your name, email address or phone number, it becomes a part of the complaint file which is public record.  This is true for all complaints submitted, including those reported through the Pinehurst’s MyVOP app marked as ‘private.'

• Does Pinehurst routinely inspect for complaints?
  Staff routinely patrols for violations, especially those concerning overgrown/weedy lots, temporary signage, waste receptacles, trailers and other oversized vehicles.  A different neighborhood within the corporate limits of Pinehurst is patrolled each week.

• What residential neighborhoods are in the corporate limits of Pinehurst?
  Included, but not limited to: No. 6, No. 7, No. 8, Village Acres/Gun Club, Pinehurst Trace, Midland Road Area, Walker Station, Old Town/Historic District, Doral Woods, Lawn & Tennis, CCNC, Monticello Area, St. Andrews Drive Area, Clarendon Gardens, Linden Clos, Burning Tree/Sugar Pine/Lake Pinehurst Area, Donald Ross, Winston Pines, and Pinewild. Please see the Official Zoning Map to view all properties within the corporate limits.

• Can I store an unregistered vehicle in my driveway? Can I park registered vehicles in my yard?
  All unregistered vehicles must be stored in a fully enclosed, permanent structure at all times. Non-expired registered vehicles (not considered commercial or oversized) can be parked on private property. 

• Can I store a boat on my property?
  

  Boats may be stored on private property for no more than seven days each month. Owners of lake shore property may store their boats out of water along the lake shore with certain conditions. Contact Code Compliance for more information: 910-295-8665.

• Are oversized vehicles, trailers, or RV's allowed in Pinehurst?
  Oversized vehicles and trailers are not allowed in residential districts within the corporate limits of Pinehurst unless they are stored within a totally enclosed storage building.  However, permission may be granted by Code Compliance to allow these types of vehicles on private property for very short periods of time.  You must call 910-295-8665 prior to bringing the vehicle to your property to obtain approval from staff. 

If you live outside of the corporate limits of Pinehurst, you are permitted to openly store oversized vehicles and trailers on private property. 

• What are the regulations on basketball hoops?
  Basketball hoops are allowed on private property. They cannot be located in the Village right-of-way. No permit is required for basketball hoops. 
  
  
• Can I have chickens in Pinehurst? What about other farm animals?
  Chickens and other livestock are not allowed within the corporate limits of Pinehurst. They are only allowed in the R-210 zoning district outside of Village corporate limits. 

• Do I need a permit for a yard, estate, or garage sale?
  A permit is not required. However, Pinehurst limits the number of sales to two (2) per property per calendar year. You are allowed one (1) sale sign at the location of the sale and no more than four (4) off-site signs. These signs shall not exceed four square feet in surface area and may be no closer than 10' from the edge of the road surface.  Yard sale signs may be erected three days before the event and must be removed within one day of completion of the event.  

• What are the regulations on trash and recycling cans? Where can they be stored?
  

  Pinehurst regulates the placement of trash, recycling and yard debris bins. Receptacles must be located either inside the garage or within five feet of the home behind the front building line of the home.  Carts must be placed curbside prior to 7:00 a.m. on the day of trash pickup and no earlier than 5:00 p.m. prior to the collection day.  Carts must be removed from the curb by the end of the day of pickup.  See detailed diagram below showing allowable cart storage locations.
  
  

• My neighbors are dumping their yard debris on my lot/have a built a fence that encroaches onto my property/planting shrubs, trees, or flowers on my property. What can be done?
  This is a civil matter between property owners. The Village of Pinehurst typically does not get involved in these type of disputes. If it rises to the level of trespass, contact the Pinehurst Police Department: 910-295-3141.

• Can I put up a sign advertising for a special event?
  

  If the event is being held in Pinehurst, you may have one sign (no larger than six square feet and no taller than four feet) or one banner (not to exceed 32 square feet) on the property where the event will be held. It may be displayed for no more than 30 days prior to the event. Up to four off-site signs, not to exceed four square feet, are allowed to be installed no more than three days prior to the start of the event.  Signs must be removed within one day after the end of the event.

• What are the regulations on realty and open house signage?
  

  Signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of property can be no larger than twelve by eighteen inches in total surface area, dark green and white in color, no taller than three feet from grade, and set back at least ten feet from the edge of the road surface.  Signs must be removed within three days of the sale, lease, or rental of the property.  One sign is allowed per five-acre lot, and no directional signage is allowed.  Open house signs are allowed provided that there be no more than one sign on-site and no more than four signs off-site.  The signs cannot exceed 12x18 inches, and must be placed out on the day of the open house and removed by the end of the first work day after the event.

• What are the regulations on tall grass/weeds or unsightly yards?
  

  Weeds and tall grass over 8" in height are considered to be a nuisance violation. Please note that special conditions apply to developed versus undeveloped properties. 

• My neighbors blare music all night/dog barks constantly etc. Who do I contact?
  Please refer all noise complaints to the Pinehurst Police Department: 910-295-3141.

• I do not agree with the current compliance ordinances or codes. Who can I contact?
  The Village Council is responsible for adopting and amending the development and nuisance regulations. Please note, state statutes pre-empt the Village of Pinehurst from being able to adopt certain regulations or transfer the enforcement to another state department or agency.