(A)
The Planning and Zoning Administrator is duly charged with enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. If the Zoning Administrator finds that any of the provisions of this chapter are being violated, he or she shall notify in writing, within ten working days, the person(s) responsible for such violations, indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the action(s) necessary to correct it. He/she shall also take any other action authorized by this chapter to ensure compliance with or to prevent violation of its provisions.
(B) No staff member shall make a final decision on an administrative decision under this chapter if the outcome of that decision would have a direct, substantial, and readily identifiable financial impact on the staff member or if the applicant or other person subject to that decision is a person with whom the staff member has a close familial, business, or other associational relationship. If a staff member has a conflict of interest, the decision shall be assigned to the supervisor of the staff person or such other staff person as may be designated by the development regulation or other ordinance.
(C) Inspections. Administrative staff may inspect work undertaken pursuant to a development approval to assure that the work is being done in accordance with applicable state and local laws and of the terms of the approval. In exercising this power, staff are authorized to enter any premises within the county at all reasonable hours for the purposes of inspection or other enforcement action, upon presentation of proper credentials; provided, however, that the appropriate consent has been given for inspection of areas not open to the public or that an appropriate inspection warrant has been secured.
(D) Revocation of development approvals. In addition to initiation of enforcement actions, development approvals may be revoked by the County Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement by notifying the holder in writing stating the reason for the revocation. County Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement shall follow the same development review and approval process required for issuance of the development approval, including any required notice or hearing, in the review and approval of any revocation of that approval. Development approvals shall be revoked for any substantial departure from the approved application, plans, or specifications; for refusal or failure to comply with the requirements of any applicable local development regulation or any state law delegated to the local government for enforcement purposes in lieu of the state; or for false statements or misrepresentations made in securing the approval. Any development approval mistakenly issued in violation of an applicable State or local law may also be revoked. The revocation of a development approval by a staff member may be appealed pursuant to G.S. § 160D-405. If an appeal is filed regarding a development regulation adopted by a local government pursuant to this chapter, the provisions of G.S. § 160D-405(e) regarding stays apply.
(Ord. passed 5-7-2018; Ord. passed 6-7-2021)