FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Code Enforcement

Q: Can the city help our neighborhood get rid of trash on the streets, junk cars and bad houses?

A: Yes, housing inspectors are assigned to areas throughout the city to identify such violations and initiate corrective action. (See Map to locate your inspector)

Q: Why did the city inspect my house?

A: The city’s Minimum Housing Code requires that property owners maintain an acceptable standard for habitable spaces.  When defects, dilapidation and deterioration exist or are suspected to exist, inspectors investigate for these conditions. (See Housing Code Enforcement documents)

Q: Can I buy the properties the city approves for demolition?

A: The city does not own properties that are scheduled for demolition as a result of Code enforcement.  Once the property has been demolished, the demolition cost is assessed against the owner. The owner has five years to repay the city, with an option of repaying 1/5 per year.  If the owner defaults on making payments to the city, the land can be foreclosed on.  The city, after foreclosure, will sell the land to try to recoup the cost of demolition.

Q: Can I get a list of properties scheduled for demolition?

A: Yes.  A list of demolition properties may be obtained from the Demolition & Six-Month Vacancy Report or call Candace Dobson, Administrative Assistant at 727-8486.

Q: I am in the process of selling my property and the attorney called and said there is a lis pendens attached to my property.  What is that and how can I have it removed?

A: A lis pendens is a legal document informing potential buyers that the City of Winston-Salem, Housing and Neighborhood Services Department, has a housing case against this property because of unfit violations that need to be corrected.  If the lis pendens is filed before the property is sold, the City is not obligated to start a new case with the new owner.  Therefore, wherever the City is in processing the case, the City can proceed with the action.  A lis pendens can only be removed once all violations have been corrected.

Q: Why did the City place a sticker on my car?

A: Your vehicle violated at least one City ordinance pertaining to junk vehicles.  The sticker (notice) notified you of the ordinance(s) violated, the compliance date, the officer/inspector who completed the sticker, and a telephone number where the inspector/officer can be reached for answers to questions you might have.  The sticker provides notice of pending action, so that you can correct the conditions before the vehicle is removed.  (See Abandoned Vehicle Procedure document)

Q: An old junk car has been sitting on my street for several days, can the City remove it?

A: Vehicles left on any city street or highway longer than 7 days violate City ordinance.  After being stickered (notified) for seven days, the vehicle can be removed.

Q: Am I allowed to place furniture, appliances, tires, and trash in front of my house at the curb?

A: No.  The above items, when placed at the curb, violate the City ordinance pertaining to junk or debris.  The one exception is when the Sanitation Department picks up bulky items of this type once a year during bulky item pickup, which occurs March through August.  You can also dispose of bulky items at the Hanes Mill Landfill year round.  Housing and Neighborhood Services will dispose of items for a fee.

Q: Why did I get a Notice from the City to cut my grass or shrubbery?

A: Your grass or shrubbery was found to violate City ordinance.  Grass must be maintained 8 inches high or less.  Shrubbery shall be maintained in a manner to prevent mosquito breeding, rat harborage, collection of trash and litter, and to avoid becoming a fire hazard.  (See Environmental Control Procedures document)

Q: When I paid my taxes, I discovered the City had placed a Sanitation Lien against my property, why?

A: The City work crews cleaned property owned by you and the City's Revenue Department billed the property owner for the clean-up.  When the bill remained unpaid by the due date, the City's Revenue Department referred the bill to the County Tax Office.  State law states that unpaid Sanitation liens are collected like unpaid property taxes.  (See Environmental Control Procedures document)

Q: My neighbors have a refrigerator and a sofa on their front porch.  Can they do this?

A: No.  Refrigerators and household furniture are designed to be used indoors and cannot be left outside.  The property owner will be issued a Notice of Violation and allowed 13 days to correct the condition.  Following the compliance date, City work crews will correct the condition and bill the property owner for the clean-up cost.

Q: Will the City bait for rats on my property?

A: No. Property owners are responsible for baiting on their property.  However, the City has a citywide rat baiting program and baits in storm drains, sewers and manholes. 
 

Community Services

Q: Does the City help neighborhoods start a Neighborhood Association? 

A: Yes.  Contact the Community Services Division at 727-8575.  A Community Service Advisor will be assigned to meet with your group and assist you.

Q: Where may I get a Neighborhood Association Listing?

A: Please see Neighborhood Association Roster or contact the Community Service Division at 727-8575 and request one.

Q: I'm being evicted, can you find me a house?

A: Community Service Advisors assist citizens, who are displaced as a result of some governmental action, to find suitable replacement housing.

Q: I'm having a hard time paying my bills.  Can the City help me?

A: No.  The City does not have a program to assist with paying bills.  However, a Community Service Advisor may be able to refer you to agencies that provide assistance.  Call 727-8575 for more information.
 

Rehabilitation

Q: Does the City have programs to help me fix my house?

A: Yes. The City’s Rehabilitation program has options available for owner occupied properties, investor owner properties, and options that service owners and investors.

The Owner Occupied Program options include: Single Family Target Areas to rehabilitate properties up to Minimum Housing Code Standards; Citywide Rehabilitation to provide assistance to low income households within city limits; Emergency Repair Loans to remove conditions that constitute an imminent threat to the health and/or safety of the occupants; and Purchase Rehab Loan Programs to finance acquisition and rehabilitation of existing housing.

Investor Owner options are targeted towards small projects and large scale special projects that rehabilitate rental properties up to minimum housing code standards for low income household occupancy.

The Owners and Investors options are handicap assistance to remove architectural barriers to mobility and hazard reduction loans to reduce environmental hazards, such as, asbestos and lead based paint, in housing units.

Please see our City of Winston-Salem Housing Rehabilitation Program brochure that will provide additional details.

Q: Can the City help me buy a house?

A: Yes. The City of Winston-Salem has a First Time Homebuyer Program that provides mortgage financing to qualified applicants desiring to purchase and repair an existing home in the city.  The maximum loan amount for purchase and rehabilitation is $120,000.

Please see our Consortium Tandem Loan Program Financing for First Time Homebuyer's brochure that will provide additional details. 

Q: If I get a loan from the City to fix my house and I die, will the City take my house?

A: No.  The City of Winston-Salem will not take your home.  Loans are based on the available equity you have in your property.  When homeowners sign the paperwork for their rehabilitation work to begin, they are fully aware the City of Winston-Salem is placing a lien against their property for the amount of the work that is being done.  This lien becomes due and payable in full at the point of sale or the death of the homeowner.  It is up to the property owner, how you establish the final disposition of your property, through your will or the probate court, if no will is recorded.

Q: Can I get a grant to repair my house?

A: No.  There are no programs that offer grants.  However, the City of Winston-Salem does have no interest, low interest and deferred loans, as well as Hazard Reduction, Handicap and Emergency Repair programs that assist low to moderate income families.