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Common Code Violations
Common Planning Code Violations
Each year, the Planning Department responds to numerous inquiries pertaining to potential land use violations. In most cases, investigation of code violations happens when a citizen reports a potential violation.
Examples of violations include construction/demolition, landscaping maintenance, building misuse and inappropriate parking and signage violations. The types of violations that are typically reported include:
- Addition of Dwelling Unit(s) without Planning Department Approval
- Addition of Accessory Structure without Planning Department Approval
- Expansion of Non-Conforming Use
- Opening a Business without Planning Department Approval
- Illegal Advertising Sign
- Illegal Business Sign on Private Property
- Illegal Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Uses
- Encroachment into a required setback
- Operation of Home Business beyond Limitations
- Removal of Required Landscaping
If you think you know of a potential violation and would like to report it, please call Josh Cotten in the Planning Department at 919-208-1302 or via email at Jcotten@townofclaytonnc.org.
Unified Development Code
The Planning Department maintains the Unified Development Code, which regulates the 'location' and the 'use' of buildings and land adjacent to streets and sets forth standards for development. All properties under the jurisdiction of the Town's Unified Development Code shall be used only for the uses permitted and in accordance with the regulations established for those uses under the various Zoning Districts.
View the official Unified Development Code to learn more.
Permits & Compliance
No structures shall be constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, altered, or relocated with out obtaining a Zoning Compliance Permit.
Every condition, stipulation, special restriction, and other limitations imposed in actions on building permits or planning approvals, such as conditional uses, variances, etc., shall be complied with.
Failure to comply with any of the previous items without due process and authorization constitutes a violation of the Unified Development Code. Thus, a complaint can be made in regards to any of the above violations. The Planning Department will investigate the complaints and/or refer them to other Town/County departments or agencies for their investigation as deemed necessary.
Common Nuisance Code Violations
Fair, equitable and consistent enforcement of Town's nuisance ordinances is the goal of the Planning Department. Through our Community Oriented Code Enforcement activities, we encourage voluntary compliance to Town ordinances. Our goal is to have a clean town and to preserve the quality of our neighborhoods. We encourage neighborhood involvement and actively pursue all violations which are not brought into compliance with timeframes established by the Code of Ordinances.
Examples of violations include abandoned or junk vehicles, solid waste violations, excessive garbage or debris, tall grass, graffiti and site obstructions. The types of violations that are typically reported include:
- Abandoned vehicles left on private property without the property owner's consent
- Dismantled or wrecked (junk) vehicles which are inoperable
- Nuisance vehicles which have been declared to be a health or safety hazard, a public nuisance or unlawful
- Placement of garbage or materials outside of the required containers
- Placement of appliances, furniture and mattresses curbside without calling for a special pick-up
- Accumulation of uncontrolled growth, weeds, garbage, trash, junk, furniture, appliances or any other materials that may become a breeding place for animals or create an unsafe condition
- Unmaintained weeds or grass which reaches a height of 12 inches
- Defacement of property (graffiti) by painting, spraying, scratching, drawing, marking, etc. which is unsightly, unauthorized or is otherwise deemed a public nuisance