Frequently Asked Questions about Annexation

Will my property be annexed into the City of Winston-Salem?

You can call the city to verify if your address is in one of the annexation areas. All addresses to be annexed will receive packets of information about city services between August 23 and early September. Trash pickup day and other specifics will be included in the packet, according to the area. The city information telephone number is 727-8000. Maps can be found online or you can see them in the City Secretary's office at City Hall.

When will I start receiving city services?

Most city services will begin on September 30, 2006; by state law, Utilities has 2 years after that date to construct new water and sewer mains.

What about Police and Fire services?

You can expect an increased level of police protection. Officers patrol all sectors of the city 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and provide an emergency response time of 6 minutes or less from the time the 911 call is received. Non-emergency calls are responded to within 30 minutes.
The Winston-Salem Fire Department will provide you with enhanced fire suppression services, including a response time to fire calls of 4 minutes or less, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Each fire station has trained emergency medical technicians on duty who provide the same response time to emergency medical calls (6 minutes or less).
There is a new station on Bethania-Rural Hall Road, and a facility shared with Beesons Cross Roads Volunteer Fire Department staffed with city firefighters to serve the newly annexed areas.

Would I need to connect to the city water and sewer lines?

You may continue to use your septic tank for as long as it operates properly. When it needs repairs, you must connect to city sewer at that time if it is available (a sewer connection also requires a water connection).
You may continue to use your well for as long as it operates properly. If you desire a sewer connection, a water connection is also required.
Property owners need to request (petition) for new water/sewer service on individual streets. This process usually takes about 18 months, and then construction can take another 12-18 months before the new lines can be put into service. Call 727-2650 for more information about petitioning for water/sewer service.

Will my property taxes increase?

You will have city property taxes in addition to county property taxes. The city tax rate is 48.5 cents per 100 dollars of assessed value (example: a $100,000 property value will have city property taxes of $485.00). Overall, there will be about a 68% increase in the yearly property tax. There is also a $15 annual motor vehicle privilege fee for each motor vehicle. For additional information, call the Forsyth County Tax Office at 703-2300 or visit their web site at: http://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/tax/
You may want to contact your escrow company or begin setting aside funds for your next property tax bill. Since the city and county tax year runs from July 1 through June 30, and annexation does not take effect until September 30, your bill for city taxes will not be sent until September 2007 and will be for the period of October 2006 through June 30, 2008, and must be paid by January 5, 2008. This will include 21 months of property tax.

Will my street be paved?

The city will accept unpaved streets if they are currently maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and have an adequate right-of-way. Once the water and sewer lines are installed on the unpaved streets, the street will then be paved by the city.

Will streetlights be installed on my street?

The city will provide street lighting on all public, maintained streets. If the street isn't maintained because it is below standard, then the city will not provide lighting until it is brought up to standard.

What city laws should I know about?

There are city ordinances about animals (pets, farm animals), noise levels, businesses, and others that may be new to you. The city ordinances are available online at Municode.com .

What can be recycled?

The Recycle Today web pages have information about recycling. Many materials are collected for recycling, including newspaper, magazines, telephone books, junk mail/office paper, chipboard, corrugated cardboard, glass jars and bottles, some plastic bottles, aluminum beverage cans, and steel food and beverage cans. Paper products must be separated from other products.

What is the voluntary trash pickup program?

Information about the "Voluntary Curbside Service" trash pickup program is on the Sanitation web pages. Instead of having your own trash cans emptied by the sanitation crew, you can sign up for a (free) large roll-out cart that you put by the curb for collection.