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Finance

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1. How can ARPA money be spent?

US Treasury identified 4 general buckets for approved uses of the SLFRF funds. These are replace lost public sector revenue, respond to the far-reaching public health and negative economic impacts of the pandemic, provide premium pay for essential workers, and invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. However, all ARPA funds must also follow North Carolina law for approved expenditures for Towns which limits some of the provisions allowed by the Federal Government. Both US Treasury Rules and NC State laws must be followed for all of the awarded funds. 

2. What are the ineligible uses of ARPA funds?

The Village of Clemmons can not use ARPA funds to offset a reduction in net tax revenue, make deposits into pension funds, pay for debt or replenish Village reserves, pay settlements and judgements, or for any use that undermine COVID-19 mitigation practices in line with CDC guidance and recommendations. 

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Planning

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1. Where can I find information about the owner or zoning district of a property?

Information regarding property parcels can be found on the Forsyth County Property Tax Viewer.

2. Where can I find information about past developments in Clemmons?

Check out our Developments Map on the Map Viewer for site plans and their conditions

3. Where can I find information about developments before a public hearing?

Details regarding development, including site plans, Technical Review Committee comments, and staff reports can be found under the Site Plan Reviews tab.

4. What is Planning?

Urban planning is the process of designing and regulating land use to guide development.

5. What is the Community Compass?

The Community Compass is the future land use plan for Clemmons. You can find the plan under the Long-Range Comprehensive Planning tab. It was adopted in 2010 and updated in 2019 after a two-year process seeking community input. It is advisory and meant to provide goals, guidelines, and objectives for Clemmons to meet.

6. What is the Planning Board?

The Planning Board is an advisory board appointed by the Village Council and composed of 9 citizens each serving staggered three-year terms. The board recommends approval or denial to Council for zoning issues. Additional information about the board, including meeting times and minutes, is located under the Planning Board tab.

7. What is Zoning?

Zoning creates different districts that each contain specific rules about how the land can be used.

8. What is the UDO?

The Unified Development Ordinances, otherwise known as the UDO, contain the definitions and specifications of development standards that are the basis of enforcement.

9. How is zoning enforced?

If a property owner is in violation of the UDO, they will receive a Notice of Violation. If compliance is not made within 10 days, they may face civil and/or criminal penalties. The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division enforces zoning regulations consistent with the Clemmons UDO.

10. What constitutes a sign violation?

• Detached signs have regulations concerning height, size, quantity, and locations within the public right-of-way. Wall signs have regulations regarding the amount of signage allowed on a wall, height, projection, and placement.
• The following signs or use of signs is prohibited:
  • Flashing lights
  • Use of warning symbology
  • Temporary, non-permanent signs
  • Moving and flashing signs
  • Exterior exposed neon signs
  • Electronic message boards
  • Abandoned signs

11. What kind of accessory structures are allowed on my property?

An accessory structure is “a structure detached from a principal building on the same zoning lot, the use of which is customarily incidental to the principal building.” Examples of accessory structures include storage buildings, swimming pools, detached garages, carports, and satellite dishes. Most structures require a permit. For other inquiries about accessory structures, please contact the Planning Department at 336-766-7511.

12. Who is responsible for inspections and permitting?

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division performs all permitting and completes inspections for the Village of Clemmons. For questions regarding inspections, permits, and zoning enforcement, the Inspections Division can be reached by phone at 336-727-2624.

13. How were the digital billboards on Lewisville-Clemmons Road approved?

We are receiving a lot of questions regarding billboards on Lewisville-Clemmons Road and would like to provide the details. 

 

In June 2019, a company called Visible Properties applied to the Village of Clemmons for a permit to set up a digital billboard, also known as an off premise sign. Clemmons denied the sign permit, and the request was then presented to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for approval. The Zoning Board denied the permit, Visible sued, and a trial judge upheld Clemmons’ decision in December 2020. Visible Properties appealed the decision and despite Clemmons’ rigorous argument against the digital billboard, the appellate judges ruled in favor of Visible Properties.

The two billboards on Lewisville-Clemmons Road were applied for and permitted due to the court order and renovation stipulations.

 The Village fought against the installation of the digital billboards for over three years to protect the standards of the residents. 

 Following the court of appeals decision, the Village Council adopted a moratorium against off premise signs. This moratorium allowed the Village time to rewrite the entirety of the sign code. The newly adopted code was adopted by Village Council on May 8, 2023. 

Among other things, the code defined various sign types and are expressly prohibited off premise signs in 3-2.1 (B) 1 (d): 

(d) Prohibited Signs. The following signs are prohibited except where they are exempt from regulation in B.3.2.1(B)(1)(c) Exempt Signs:
(1) Off-premise signs. Off-premises signs, including but not limited to both digital and static billboards or other large outdoor advertising structures, are prohibited both on-premise and off-premise.

If you have questions about existing signs or any proposed signs, please contact the Planning Department at 336-766-7511.

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Residential Information

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1. What is the tax rate for the Village of Clemmons?

The tax rate is 11.5 cents per $100 of valuation on your home. Example: If your home is valued at $200,000, your Clemmons taxes would be $230 per year.

2. Am I inside the Village limits if my mailing address is Clemmons?

Not necessarily. The postal service provides your mailing address. Not everyone with a Clemmons address is inside the village limits. Therefore, your mailing address is not a true indication of your residency. If you have any questions concerning your status please contact us at 336-766-7511.

3. What is the meaning of "village"?

When Clemmons incorporated in 1986, it was incorporated as a "village." Under state law a municipality can be called a "city," "town" or "village." Clemmons chose to be called a "village."

4. What are some of the services provided for in my village taxes?

Services include:

• Extra Deputy Protection
• Leaf/Limb/Grass Pickup
• Planning and Zoning
• Road Maintenance
• Stormwater Management
• Streetlights
• Weekly Garbage Collection
• Weekly Recycling

5. How is garbage and recycling handled in the Village?

Waste Management is the company contracted to provide trash and recycle service for the residents of Clemmons. 

Residents receive curb-side collection for one trash cart each week and one recycle cart every other week.  Please call Clemmons Public Works at 336-766-9170 with questions, cart or service issues or to establish new service.  

6. How are rezoning matters handled in the Village?

After a request is submitted and duly advertised for public hearing, the Clemmons Planning Board will hear the request and make a recommendation to the Village Council. Then the Village Council will also hold a public hearing on your request and make a final decision. The whole process generally takes 6 to 8 weeks after your application is submitted. You may contact the Village Planner Nasser Rahimzadeh at 336-766-7511 with questions.

7. What is the speed limit within the Village?

The speed limit is 25 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.

8. Who provides utility service in the area?

Companies include:

• Duke Energy for electric service
• Piedmont Natural Gas for natural gas service
• City-County Utilities Commission (Winston-Salem) for water and sewer

For TV and telephone service see the Residential Information page. 

9. Does the Village handle animal control problems?

No, animal control is handled through Forsyth County at 336-703-2490.

10. How do I dispose of my leaves and limbs?

Burning yard waste is prohibited; however, the Village provides a Leaf and Limb Pickup Program. For more information look on the Leaf/Limb/Grass Program page. If you have any questions, call Public Works at 336-766-9170.

11. How do I dispose of large household items such as mattresses and refrigerators?

Currently, the Village does provide this service once a year, usually in March. This is subject yearly to Council approval during the budget process.

12. How do I report a pot-hole on my street?

Send us an email or call the Public Works Department at 336-766-9170.

13. What about driveway permits?

Driveways must be inspected for compliance when you build a new driveway or change an existing one. The cost for the permit is $30. Print your application (PDF) and bring it to Public Works at 3800 Dillon Industrial Drive to get your permit.

14. Do I need a business license to do business in the Village?

No, not for permanent business locations.

15. How do I get a building permit?

Building Permits are issued through City/County Inspections. You may call 336-727-2624 for further information. 

16. How do I obtain a North Carolina Driver's License?

Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles at 336-761-2258.

17. How do I register to vote?

Voting is handled through the Forsyth County Board of Elections at 336-703-2800. You may pick up a mail-in application at the Village Hall or Clemmons Library.

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Stormwater Fees

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1. What is the stormwater fee and why do we have one?

State and federal governments have passed new regulations that require Clemmons to take steps to reduce polluted stormwater runoff. This is an unfunded mandate and adequate funding for the stormwater program is required by the state. The fee will also enable the Village to address some of the Village’s stormwater quantity problems.  The stormwater fee will be charged to all properties with impervious surfaces and is a reliable and equitable source of funding for the program.

2. What is stormwater runoff?

Stormwater runoff is the rain or melted snow that runs off all natural and developed surfaces.  Streets, rooftops, driveways, parking lots, sidewalks and other developed surfaces do not permit the land to absorb stormwater and so runoff is increased dramatically from these areas. Stormwater collects pollutants from these hard surfaces and carries them to our streams, lakes and the Yadkin River, impacting the quality of these bodies of water and even our drinking water. 

3. What is impervious surface?

Any surface that does not readily absorb water and impedes the natural infiltration of water into the soil. Common examples include roofs, driveways, parking areas, sidewalks, patios, tennis courts, concrete or asphalt streets, crushed stone and gravel surfaces.

4. How was the stormwater fee developed?

The stormwater fee is based on an Equivalent Residential Unit. An ERU was determined by taking a sampling of residential properties, impervious area on each was measured and a typical impervious area was calculated. 1 ERU = 3,952 square feet.

5. How much is the fee for residential properties?

Single family residential homes are now based on a tiered billing system:

• Tier 1: 1 – 2,000 square feet of impervious
       $85.50/year
• Tier 2:  2,001 - 4,000 square feet of impervious
       $90/year
• Tier 3: 4,001 – 6,000 square feet of impervious
       $135/year
• Tier 4: 6,001 - Infinite square feet of impervious
       $180/ERU/year

6. How much is the fee for commercial properties?

Billable Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) fees are $90 per ERU. All nonresidential properties, which includes, but not limited to Multi-Family, Commercial, Government, Non-Profit, Industrial etc. are billed a flat rate of $90 per ERU of impervious area on their property.  One ERU is equal to 3952 sq. ft. So, for example if a Nonresidential site has 1- 3952 sq. ft., they will be billed one (1) ERU. If a non-residential site has 3,953 or greater sq. ft., of impervious area, they will be billed the appropriate ERU’s associated with the impervious area on the property. These fees are billed on the annual County Property Tax Assessment.

7. Why are churches and other tax-exempts required to pay?

All properties within the village that have impervious surfaces contribute to stormwater runoff and therefore should pay their share of the costs of the program.

8. What if I have two residences on my property?

Two or more dwellings on one parcel is considered multi-family residential and total impervious area will be measured and the number of ERUs calculated.

9. Is the stormwater fee a tax?

No, the stormwater fee is a utility like your gas, electric, or water/sewer utility.

10. How can I be exempted from the stormwater fee?

The only properties exempt from the stormwater fee are those that have less than 1 square foot of impervious surface area. All properties with impervious surface will be billed.

11. Can I appeal the stormwater fee?

A property owner who believes there is an error in the impervious surface area calculations may appeal to the manager by way of a sealed survey from a NC licensed surveyor showing all impervious areas on the property.

12. How often/when will I get a bill? When is it due?

The billing cycle is on an annual basis and included with the Forsyth County property tax bill as a separate fee. The bill will be sent out in August. Fees are due September 1 and past due January 5, the same as property taxes. Stormwater fees are payable to the Forsyth County Tax Collector and not collected by the Village of Clemmons or its personnel.

13. What happens if I don’t pay my bill?

The Forsyth County Tax Collector has the authority to charge delinquent fees and interest to the bill. The collection procedures include garnishment of wages.

14. Since the stormwater fee appears on the tax bill, what will mortgage companies do with the fee?

Typically, mortgage companies will pay from the mortgagee’s escrow account all fees and taxes that are charged to a property.  It would be appropriate for each property owner to compare their copy of the tax bill to the annual statement provided by the mortgage company to ensure that all fees (including stormwater fees) and taxes are properly paid.