Home Departments Public Works Compliance & Inspections

Compliance and Inspections

The Town of Wendell wants its neighborhoods and structures to stay in good condition as they age. If the individual property owner is not maintaining their properties in accordance with the Code of Ordinance requirements, Compliance and Inspections will enforce the code relevant to each situation. 

If the Compliance and Inspections Officer determines there is a violation, the property owner will receive a Notice of Violation (NOV). The NOV will include information on how to correct the violation and a time frame in which the violation has to be corrected in order to avoid fines. If the property owner requests additional time to cure the violation(s), staff will review the request and will follow-up with the property owner once this determination is made. If the violation is not corrected, it may be subject to financial penalties in accordance with the Unified Development Ordinance. The most common code violations include vehicles, trash, debris, and tall grass.

Minimum Housing Standards

An important component of Compliance and Inspections is to uphold Minimum Housing Standards as established in Chapter 34 Town Code of Ordinances. When the Compliance and Inspections Officer notices a Minimum Housing Violation or receives and confirms a complaint, the officer works with the property owner to improve the property to at least meet minimum requirements.

Tall Grass/Weeds

Yard maintenance is the responsibility of every property owner and needs to include the maintenance of overgrown areas on a regular basis. Grass shall be kept trimmed below 8 inches. If properties within Town limits are not maintained and the grass height exceeds 8", a Notice of Violation (NOV) will be issued. The grass will need to be cut by the date specified in the NOV to avoid monetary penalties. 

Junk, Trash & Debris

Junk, trash and debris cannot be left in the yard and must be properly disposed of. This includes: junk; auto parts; appliances; furniture; building materials; tires; trash, such as discarded paper, cardboard, plastics, etc; and yard waste, such as tree trimmings and fallen limbs. If junk, trash or debris is discovered, a Notice of Violation (NOV) may be issued and the materials would have to be removed in accordance with the Notice of Violation. 

Nuisance Motor Vehicles

If a vehicle is deemed to be abandoned, junked, disabled or a nuisance, a Notice of Violation (NOV) may be issued and the vehicle would either have to be removed or repaired in accordance with the Notice of Violation. Any individual that receives a Notice of Violation may appeal the NOV.

Inspection
Requests for foundation surveys or final inspections for a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) should be directed to the Town of Wendell Planning Department at (919) 365-4448, or through TellWendell. 

Requests for driveways, sidewalks or compliance inspections for stormwater and erosion control should be directed to the Town of Wendell Public Works Department at 919-365-4822 or through TellWendell. 

Fire, Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Inspections are conducted by Wake County Inspections Department. The Town of Wendell contracts with the County to perform these inspections. Wake County Inspections Department may be reached at 919-856-6060.