The Chapel Hill Police Department arrested 8 individuals for Felony Breaking or Entering a Vehicle during the period from March 14 through March 27, 2012. In all of these incidents, the vehicles which were broken into were either left unlocked or unsecured. Some of the vehicles contained items of value, which were stolen from inside the vehicles.

The following are some helpful tips, developed to help residents and visitors to Chapel Hill reduce the likelihood that they will become the victim of a vehicle break-in.

• Always lock your vehicle's doors/trunk and roll up the windows.
• Lock your vehicle, even when parked outside your home
• Park in well-lighted areas.
• Never leave valuables visible inside your vehicle. Take them with you when you park your vehicle or lock them inside the trunk of your car.
• Covering valuables with an item of clothing or a blanket will not stop a would-be thief from breaking into your vehicle.
• Never leave a key to your vehicle inside the vehicle. A key left inside the vehicle could result in your vehicle being stolen.
• If you notice suspicious activity around your vehicle, in a parking lot, or around your neighbor's vehicle, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

Chapel Hill Steps Up Enforcement of Front Yard Parking Rules

Posted Date: 7/13/2011

Do you park vehicles in your front yard? To avoid a $100 per day fine, move the vehicles around back, or park them on a hard surface.

Beginning Aug. 1, the Town of Chapel Hill will implement a new pilot program to increase the enforcement of the front yard parking ordinance. The pilot program will focus on identifying violations in the Northside and Pine Knolls neighborhoods. These neighborhoods have seen an increase in front yard parking which has an undesirable effect on the look and feel of these single-family neighborhoods.

The Town's Land Use Management Ordinance (Article 5.9.9) states that parking and drive areas must be limited to 40 percent of the front yard area and that the parking area must be clearly designated and covered with all-weather surface or gravel.

Under the pilot program, if a violation is observed, a complaint notice will be placed on-site. Then, the property owner will receive a first and final written notice of the violation through certified mail. The property owner will have 30 days from the receipt of the written notice to appeal to the Town's Board of Adjustment, if desired. If the violations are not remedied, property owners may be subjected to civil penalties of $100 per day.

If you have questions about the front yard parking pilot program, please contact the Chapel Hill Planning Department at 919-968-2728 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you have questions about Residential Parking Permits, contact Parking Services at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 919-968-2758. 

Enforcement of Occupancy Limits in Rental Housing
Posted Date: 1/31/2011
The Town Of Chapel Hill wishes to notify all renters that we are actively enforcing over-occupancy issues in rental housing throughout Chapel Hill. Homes that are classified, built and zoned as Single Family Dwelling Units that are being rented out to and/or occupied by more than four unrelated persons are in violation of the Town of Chapel Hill Land Use Management Ordinance.

A single family dwelling unit is defined as "A detached dwelling consisting of a single dwelling unit only. A single-family dwelling shall be classified as a Rooming House if occupied by more than four persons who are not related by blood, adoption, marriage, or domestic partnership."

Some of the potential problems that can arise from this situation can result in tenants having to be displaced, fines and additional approvals and inspections that could require major upgrades to those homes. Students should be aware of this before signing leases for next year.
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The updated Good Neighbor Community Services Handbook is now available.

Please check out all of our resources and educational materials on this site, and let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

The Office of the Dean of Students ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )