Matthews adopts Chapter 152 to add nonresidential building‑code enforcement
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Summary
The board adopted a new chapter to the town code (Chapter 152) giving the town, through Mecklenburg County enforcement, authority to address unsafe nonresidential structures, including hearings, liens and civil penalties; ordinance text largely adapted from Huntersville.
The Town of Matthews on Nov. 10 voted to add a nonresidential building code to the town's general ordinances, creating Chapter 152 and new enforcement tools for commercial structures.
Planning Director Jay Camp told the board that the existing local code addresses minimum housing only and lacks enforcement mechanisms for nonresidential properties. "This would provide language, provisions for the repair, vacation, or demolition of structures that for any cause endanger life, limb, health or property," Camp said, adding that Mecklenburg County code‑enforcement staff would continue to perform enforcement duties under the interlocal agreement.
Camp said the draft language was adapted largely from Huntersville's ordinance, which Mecklenburg County has enforced for more than a decade. Commissioner Ken McCool moved to adopt Chapter 152 and the motion was seconded; the board voted in favor.
What’s next: Chapter 152 will be codified in the town code. Enforcement actions will proceed through established interlocal procedures with Mecklenburg County code staff.
