Property Assessment

Can the finance charges be waived?

The finance charges were assessed in accordance with the City's adopted Fee Schedule and are applied consistently to all outstanding assessment balances. Because these charges are established through the approved fee schedule, City staff do not have the authority to waive them on an individual basis. Applying the fee schedule uniformly helps ensure that all property owners are treated fairly and consistently.

Why am I just being notified of this?

This is not the first notification. The violation was issued by Code Enforcement and posted at the property. After the work was completed, another notification from Finance was sent. That notification gave the web address to the assessment lookup page. That has been maintained and updated monthly by the Finance Department. It provided all the invoice information and information on how to pay the balance. 

Why did it take so long to send this invoice (xx years)?

Historically, the City notified property owners of code enforcement assessments by sending an initial notification invoice after the assessment was recorded. Following that notification, the outstanding balance remained available for viewing through the City's online assessment search portal, allowing property owners to verify whether a balance remained due.

As part of a recent effort to improve collections and provide additional notification to property owners, the Finance Department implemented a process to mail formal invoices for outstanding assessment balances. These invoices, mailed in June 2026, were intended to serve as an additional reminder of existing obligations that had previously been assessed and remained unpaid. While the mailing represented a new notification effort by Finance, it did not create a new obligation or assessment; rather, it notified property owners of balances that had previously been established and remained outstanding.

Are other citizens being affected by this gap in time?

Yes. In June 2026, the Finance Department mailed invoices to all property owners with outstanding code enforcement assessment balances that remained unpaid, regardless of when the original assessment was established. The mailing was part of a citywide initiative to improve notification and collection efforts and was not limited to any individual property or property owner. The process was applied consistently to all outstanding assessment accounts to ensure equitable treatment of all affected property owners.

I am not the property owner, why am I being charged?

Property assessments are charges against the property itself rather than against an individual. If you are not the property owner, we can verify the ownership information in our records. May I ask whether you currently own the property, rent the property, or are contacting us on behalf of the owner? Once we verify ownership, we can determine whether any corrections are needed.

I bought this from the City, why am I being charged?

Thank you for bringing that to our attention. I would be happy to research the property's history. If the City conveyed the property after the assessment was recorded and the assessment should not have remained with the property, we will review the records and correct any clerical error that may have occurred. Would you prefer that I follow up with you by phone or email once the research is complete?

What ordinance says I should be charged for this? 

When the City performs work to correct conditions that violate the City's Code of Ordinances—such as lot cleaning, lot clearing, or demolition—the City is authorized to recover the costs incurred. These costs become a property assessment in accordance with the City of Fayetteville Code of Ordinances and applicable North Carolina General Statutes, depending on the type of enforcement action. These are available by searching online. 

The assessment includes the actual costs incurred by the City and any administrative fees authorized by the schedule of fees published on the City’s website. If you would like, we can provide copies of the applicable ordinance and documentation related to your specific assessment.

If needed: including N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 160A-193, 160A-432 through 160A-443, and other applicable statutory authority

Why can we continue to charge this fee 10+ years later?

These assessments are not typical invoices for services. They are charges placed against the property after the City performed work authorized by law to address public health or safety violations. Unless satisfied or otherwise resolved, the assessment remains due. While Finance recently mailed reminder invoices as part of an effort to improve collection of outstanding balances, the underlying assessment has existed since the work was performed and has remained a matter of public record through the assessment lookup took on the City’s website.

I bought this property last year, and I was not the owner when this fee was charged. Why am I responsible for this? 

The assessment is attached to the property rather than to the individual who owned the property when the work was performed. As a result, when ownership changes, outstanding property assessments generally remain with the property unless they have been paid or otherwise satisfied before closing. If you recently purchased the property, you may wish to review your closing documents or contact your closing attorney or title company to determine whether the assessment was addressed during the closing process. If you believe the assessment has been paid or was included in your closing, we will gladly review any documentation you can provide.

Who can I speak to since you can’t waive my fees? 

Finance staff are responsible for administering assessments in accordance with City ordinances and adopted policies and do not have the authority to waive or reduce charges. If you believe the assessment is incorrect, has already been paid, or you have documentation that affects the amount owed, we encourage you to submit that information for review. If your concern relates to the legality of the assessment or a request for relief that is beyond Finance's authority, we can forward your request.

Can you please provide me with a good contact phone number so we can further discuss these concerns?

For questions or to confirm information, assessment status, and payment amounts, please call Collections at (910) 433-1676, (910) 433-1030, or (910) 433-1675.

You are received an invoice because a Code Enforcement violation on your property was not corrected within the time allowed in the official notices sent by the City of Fayetteville.

When a property is found to be in violation of the City's Code of Ordinances, Code Enforcement provides written notice to the property owner describing:

• The specific violation(s) that must be corrected.
• The deadline for completing the required work.
• The possible consequences if the violation is not corrected by the deadline.

If the required corrections are not completed within the time provided, the City may take action to bring the property into compliance. Depending on the violation, this may include:

• Lot cleaning, such as cutting overgrown grass or weeds, removing debris, or clearing vegetation.
• Demolition of an unsafe structure when authorized by law and all required procedures have been completed.

When the City performs this work, the costs incurred are the responsibility of the property owner. This invoice reflects the actual costs associated with the work completed by or on behalf of the City to correct the violation. In accordance with applicable law and the City of Fayetteville's Code of Ordinances, these charges are subject to interest, which begins to accrue from the date the costs are incurred and will continue to accrue until the balance is paid in full.

Review The City’s website for resources (Insert link to property assessments).

• Submit payment via Check, Cash or Card to the Collections Department, listed on the invoice.
• If you believe you received this invoice in error or have questions about the charges, please contact the Finance department listed on the invoice for your assistance. (Depending on what steps that have been approved, Mrs. Tiffany mentioned in our meeting appeal processes were being presented)

The City of Fayetteville's goal is to encourage voluntary compliance whenever possible. City-performed corrective work is used only after required notices have been provided and the property owner has not corrected the violation within the time allowed.

The information obtained from this website is furnished by the City of Fayetteville as a public service and is accepted and used by the recipient with the agreement and understanding that the City of Fayetteville makes no warranties, express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or the suitability of the data set forth within these documents. The City of Fayetteville assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever associated with the use or misuse of this information.

This assessment data is provided for informational purposes only and is applicable as of the date indicated on the confirmation. Updated lists are posted monthly; however, recent changes to the parcel ID, property ownership, and assessment location address may not be reflected. 

Fayetteville PWC

Assessments provided here do not include any assessments that may have been levied by the City of Fayetteville's Public Works Commission. To confirm assessment status or to verify if there are any pending sewer assessments, please consult the Public Works Commission website.