Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I burn trash or leaves in the City? City ordinance section 10.23 prohibits open burning by individuals within the City limits. This is for fire safety as well as environmental pollution concerns. Limited types of cooking and campfires are allowed with prior approval.
Why can't I have a grill on my apartment balcony? Grills must not be used within 10 feet of any structure. They may be used on patios of ground floor units if the grill is 10 feet from the structure and the deck has an unobstructed exit to the ground.
Why are people allowed to park in fire lanes? Fire lanes are a state law. Local police cannot enforce violations here. However, the property owners can have vehicles towed at the vehicle owners' expense. The Fire Department regrets this lack of enforcement and discourages this inconsiderate practice.
How can I get a free smoke detector? Just ask! The Fire Department will come to you and install these life saving devices to our citizens at no cost to you. You can find information on free smoke detector installation in our Citizens section.
Are fireworks illegal? Class C Fireworks -- anything that does not produce a projectile or something that lifts off the ground -- are permitted to be used in North Carolina. Bottle rockets, roman candles, etc. are not allowed.
Can you safely plug a "three-prong" electrical plug into a "two-prong" electral outlet?The two-prong outlet does not have a ground wire in it; therefore, if you use an adapter and plug in a three wire cord, then whatever you are using is not grounded. You become the ground if something goes wrong with that appliance -- the electrical current will pass through your body rather that the ground wire present on three wire cords and outlets. The National Electrical Code prohibits this activity.