Wake Forest presents final recodification update; urban forestry board to move from code-mandated to voluntary

Town staff presented a final update on a recodification project to reorganize and harmonize Wake Forest’s ordinances with state and federal law and to clarify current practices.

"This project is recodification," a staff member said, explaining the work focused on eliminating conflicts with state law, reorganizing chapters alphabetically, removing gendered language and adding clarifying text rather than changing policy intent. The project began in May 2023; proofs were delivered in September–November and a hard copy of the consolidated edits arrived in June, the presenter said.

Key legal-analysis changes include replacing repeated restatements of state law with references to the state code and reorganizing chapters alphabetically with reserved chapters consolidated to the ends of chapters. Under current-practices updates, staff described a set of specific clarifications: housing-code enforcement language now codifies an existing practice that owners may be required to demolish a structure if repairs exceed 50% of the property’s assessed value; references to boarding houses and bed-and-breakfasts were moved from the general code to the Unified Development Ordinance; and noise rules were clarified to prohibit amplified sound within 100 feet of town events and to avoid permitting overlapping amplified events that would create conflicting sound.

Staff also outlined revisions to the stormwater utility sections to account for one year of operational data: the recodification makes the schedule for impervious-surface updates more flexible and removes a requirement that fees be billed only through property tax bills. Fire-prevention language and open-burning permit requirements were broadened (permits will be required for any material burned or for property-generated material in more circumstances than under the older rural-focused code). Chapter 30 (parking and street regulations) was updated to reflect current signage practices (use of start/end signage rather than signs every 50 feet to reduce sign clutter while maintaining enforcement visibility). For explosives and fireworks, staff wrote in coordination language that references Wake County fire marshal requirements.

The single enumerated process change is in chapter 34: the Urban Forestry Board will no longer be required as a code-mandated body (the board will continue to meet and perform tree plantings and Arbor Day activities, but as a voluntary body outside of the code). Staff emphasized that Tree City USA status will continue because the town will retain urban forestry staff and an arborist, the elements Tree City USA requires.

The presenter said the ordinance will return for formal approval on July 15. After adoption, the town vendor will upload the updated digital code to make searchable versions available to residents.