What ordinance violations are handled by Code Enforcement?
The vast majority of complaints and violations handled by Code Enforcement fall under the nuisance ordinance. These types of complaints concern violations in open areas (porches are considered open areas) including, but not limited to; overgrown weeds, high grass, offensive animal matter, offensive vegetable matter, rubbish, junk, litter, trash, accumulation of unusable building materials, dilapidated furniture, jagged metal and/or glass, scrap materials, and dilapidated fences. Code Enforcement also handles junk, nuisance, and abandoned vehicle concerns (if the vehicles are on private property), minimum housing concerns, deteriorated and/or dilapidated structures, and zoning violations.
What ordinance violations are not handled by Code Enforcement?
There are several violations and inspection processes handled by other entities. Nuisance animal complaints, parking complaints (including junked and abandoned vehicles on the roadway or public property), and noise ordinance complaints occurring in the city limits of Landis are handled by the Landis Police Department. Please call the police department’s non-emergency line at 704-857-2129 for more information. If there is a concern that needs to be handled immediately, please call 911 to have an officer respond.
Fire inspections and hazardous permitting are handled by the Rowan County Fire Division. Permitting as required by G.S. 153A-357 and 160A-417 for building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical projects, building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical plan review, inspections required by the North Carolina state building code administrative code and policies, for building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical projects, as well as daycare and ABC inspection are provided by the Rowan County Building Inspections Department.
How do I file a complaint?
To file a complaint please visit the Make A Complaint section of this page for detailed information.
How long do I have to wait before the issue I complained about is fixed?
It depends on the nature of the issue you have complained about. Nuisance issues can technically be abated after 10 days, although this does not allow for a very courteous process. Minimum housing concerns take a minimum of 90 days. As there are a range of processes there is no easy answer to this question. Feel free to contact John Ganius at 704-857-2411 for specific details.
If I file a complaint can I remain anonymous?
Once a complaint is filed the Code Enforcement Officer acts as the complainant for all official matters. When making a complaint to the Code Enforcement Officer it is not required that you give your identity. However, even if you give your identity, the violator will not be made aware of your identity directly by the Code Enforcement Officer. If you would like to be updated about the progress of any complaint your identity and contact information will need to be forwarded to the Code Enforcement Officer at some point. Please also be aware that any communication to and/or from the Code Enforcement Officer is a public record and must be produced if requested.
How tall can my grass get before it becomes a violation of the Nuisance Ordinance?
The Nuisance Ordinance specifies:
The uncontrolled growth of noxious weeds or grass to a height of eight (8) inches or greater or which otherwise causes or threatens to cause a hazard detrimental to the public health or safety. For the purposes of this subsection, the height shall be measured from the ground at the base of a plant to the top of the freestanding plant.
The easy answer is 8 inches, however, grass that is shorter may violate the ordinance if it threatens to cause a hazard detrimental to the public health or safety. The best example for this would be grass that is shorter than 8 inches and is infested with rodents and/or snakes or poses a fire hazard.
If I leave debris or items on the roadside that the town does not pick up, is that a code enforcement issue?
Depending on the item(s) and the duration it is left on the roadside this can become a code enforcement issue. Hazardous Materials, Flammable Materials, Tires, Lumber, Construction Debris, Paint, Car Batteries, Car Parts, and Electronics are all prohibited items that cannot be disposed of by the Town of Landis. It is the responsibility of the property owner to have these items disposed of in the appropriate manner. If left on the roadside with the intent for the Town of Landis to dispose of the items, this can violate some of the provisions of the code enforcement ordinance as the Town will not dispose of the items. An individual wishing to dispose of construction debris may choose to rent a dumpster from a private company at their own cost. As regulations exist for disposing of the other prohibited items listed in the wrong manner, please dispose of these items at Recycling Facilities in Rowan County.
Michael Ambrose
Madison Stegall
