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Resident alleges code and septic violations; county says health department, state regulations govern enforcement
Summary
A resident alleged a neighbor built a garage too close to a property line, created unauthorized rental living space rented before a certificate of occupancy, and may be using an unapproved septic system; county staff said septic enforcement is handled by the Health Department and building inspections follow State Department of Insurance rules and that the county is awaiting state input.
At the Feb. 3 meeting resident Rodney Washington told the Chowan County Board of Commissioners he had identified multiple ordinance violations at an adjoining property (200 Country Club Drive), including a detached garage built more than one foot inside the property line, a living unit above the garage that was rented for over a year before a certificate of occupancy was issued, and septic use that he said was not permitted.
Washington said he raised the issue with County Planner Brandon Shoaf and later spoke with County Manager Kevin Howard and County Attorney Lauren Arizaga-Womble; he said the County Attorney informed him that he had missed the timeframe to file a complaint. Washington asked the board to require the homeowner to comply with state and local laws or remove the structure.
Manager Howard later responded that the matter is complicated, that the county is waiting on a response from the state, and that septic issues are regulated by the Health Department while building inspections enforce codes set by the State Department of Insurance. The county did not announce enforcement action during the meeting. The board did not take a formal vote on the complaint at the Feb. 3 meeting.
