Animals

The town contracts with Orange County Animal Services to handle:

• Animal abuse or neglect.
• Loose domestic animals.
• Tethered or barking dogs

Town ordinances:

• Allow farm animals to be kept in town limits under certain conditions.
• Prohibit roosters.

Report homes with roosters to the Planning and Economic Development Division by email or at 919-296-9470.

• See Regulation and Control of Animals.

Abandoned or Junk Vehicles

Vehicles abandoned:

• On public streets or public parking spaces — Report to the Police Department for towing.
• In commercial parking lots — The commercial property owner is responsible for towing.

Town ordinances allow every residential property to have one junk vehicle.

Report two or more junk vehicles on a residential property to the Planning and Economic Development Division by email or at 919-296-9470.

• See Abandoned, Junked Motor Vehicles.

Discharges Into Sanitary Sewer System

Sanitary Sewer System

It is illegal to dispose of or allow into the sewer system:

• Any pollutant or wastewater that causes interference.
• Trash, grease, rags, wipes and other items.

Report discharges of industrial manufacturing wastewater to Deputy Utilities Director for Water Treatment Jeff Mahagan by email or at 919-296-9671.

• See Sanitary Sewer Use.

Stormwater System

It is illegal to pour, dump, dispose of or allow substances other than stormwater to enter storm drains, ditches or any other part of the stormwater system.

Report suspected illicit discharges to the Stormwater and Environmental Services Division by email or by calling 919-296-9621 or 919-296-9622.

• See Control of Illicit Discharges into Stormwater System.

Sidewalk Dining and Business Encroachments

Outdoor Seating

Food businesses are allowed to have sidewalk dining and alcohol service. Permits are required, and alcohol must stay within the sidewalk seating area. See the Hospitality Industry Permits and Licenses page for information about the permitting process.

Report alcohol outside of the sidewalk seating area to the Police Department by calling 911 to have an officer dispatched.

Report other issues to the Planning and Economic Development Division by email or at 919-296-9470. 

Outdoor Merchandising

Retailers may put merchandise outside without a permit, per the requirements outlined in the town Code of Ordinances and below:

• Merchandise must be brought in when the store is not open.
• Goods must be located directly adjacent to the business storefront.
• There must a 5-foot path complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act leading to the business's front door.
• There must be a 6-foot clear pedestrian path maintained along sidewalks.

Overgrown Yards

The town has basic property maintenance provisions but also allows managed natural landscapes.

For questions or complaints about overgrown yards or trash on private property, contact the Planning and Economic Development Division by email or at 919-296-9470.

Report uncollected trash along streets (not litter) to the Public Works Division by email or at 919-296-9600.

• See Control of Solid Waste, Scrap Materials and Noxious Growth.
• See the Garbage Collection page.
• See Managed Natural Landscapes on the Sustainability Initiatives page.

Parking and Loading

The town code is violated if parking or loading:

• Blocks travel lanes or driveways.
• Is on a sidewalk or between the sidewalk and street.
• Is within a no-parking or no-loading zone designated by yellow curbs or signs.

Report violations to the Police Department by email or at 919-296-9500.

Unsafe Living Conditions (Minimum Housing Code)

Report unsafe living conditions and Minimum Housing Code violations to the Orange County Housing and Community Development Department.

See the Orange County Minimum Housing Code page for specific information and contacts.