Davidson, NC - Official Website

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Administration

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1. What is the town’s tax rate?: The tax rate is $0.35 per every $100 of valuation.

2. Where do I pay my taxes?

Since 2002, the Town of Davidson contracts with Mecklenburg County to collect property taxes. To pay property and vehicle taxes you must visit or contact the Mecklenburg County Tax Office at:

Robert L. "Bob" Walton Plaza, 700 E. Stonewall Street Charlotte, NC 28202, or email the tax office.
Phone: 704 336-4600

For more information, visit Charmeck website or payments website

3. My trash was not collected today. Whom should I call?: Republic Services at 704 393-6900.

4. Where is the closest Post Office?: 99 Jackson St.
Davidson, NC 28036
Phone: 800 ASK-USPS
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
USPS Website

5. Where is the library, and when are they open?: 119 South Main Street
Davidson, NC 28036
Phone: 704 892-8557
Manager: Ellen Giduz
Hours of Operation:
Monday: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday: Closed
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Library website

6. What utilities serve Davidson residents?

Cable/Phone/Internet:
M-I Connection, 704 660-3840

Electricity:
Duke Power Company: 704 892-3338
Energy United: 800 522-3793

Natural Gas:
PSNC Energy: 704 662-9460

Water & Sewer:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities: 704 336-2211

Trash Collection:
Republic Services: 704-393-6900

7. When is Town Hall closed?

Town Hall is closed on:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
July 4th (or the Monday following)
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday
Three days at Christmas.

For specific dates and times, please check our Community Calendar.

8. I am a senior citizen in town. Are there any resources for me?: Check out Davidson Seniors.
You may also wish to visit Lake Norman Senior Resources.

9. Does Davidson have a newspaper?

DavidsonNews.net, a website covering news and events in Davidson, can be reached at www.davidsonnews.net. It's a daily newspaper online and features news on town government, schools, sports, real estate, food, pets, an extensive calendar listing, the "Around Davidson"
column and more. Readers can subscribe for free, and can receive daily emails of the latest headlines.www.davidsonnews.net.

The Charlotte Observer serves the town of Davidson every day.

There are also several weekly newspapers including the Mooresville Tribune.

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Affordable Housing

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1. What is the Davidson affordable housing program?: The affordable housing program is a program that helps create housing opportunities for people at a variety of income levels. Certain housing units in developments have been set aside as affordable units available to income eligible households. The selling prices or rents of these units are maintained below the selling prices or rents of the market rate units in the same development that are available to the general public.

2. Why do we need an affordable housing program?: Everyone deserves affordable housing. However, as the cost of housing rises, many of us are forced to pay more than we can afford. The average cost of a new 2400 square foot home in Davidson is $350,000 and existing home sales have skyrocketed to over $400,000, making owning a home in Davidson impossible for many families.

3. What are the target income levels for the affordable homes?: The affordable housing program is available to individuals and families earning less than 50% and up to 120% of the area median income (AMI). The 2010 median income for a family of four is $67,200. Homes are available for households who earn $33,600 (or less) up to $75,265. (AMI) is determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on an annual basis and adjusted for household size, www.huduser.org/datasets.

4. What is the price of an affordable housing unit?: To be considered affordable, homes must sell at a price that income-eligible households can own without spending more than approximately 23% of their gross income for principal and interest on the mortgage. The ordinance establishes affordable pricing requirements to ensure a range of affordability within each required income tier in for sale and rental developments.

5. How long must affordable units remain affordable and how long will affordability be maintained?: For Sale units created by the affordable ordinance must be maintained as affordable for 99 years. The Town will ensure long-term affordability through deed restrictions that run with the property. The deed restrictions will contain a resale formula designed to provide a fair return to owners of affordable units while at the same time ensuring that the units will be resold at a price affordable to future income-qualified households.
House-holds are not required to move out of an affordable unit if their income increases at a later date.

6. Where are the affordable housing units located?

The affordable housing units that have been approved by the Town Board and are currently available or under construction: Visit the individual affordable housing neighborhood pages for more information.

Summers Walk: Highway 73, across from the Bradford Farm and near the new Bradford Park, one resale is available.

South Main Square: directly off of Main Street, two blocks from downtown Davidson, behind Restaurant X and Fuel Pizza, one condo is currently available.

Walnut Grove: directly off of Main Street, behind the Merrell-Jennings gallery and the Wooden Stone gift store, under construction.

Harbour Place: Exit 30, beside the Homewood Suites Hotel and Davidson Day School.

Davidson Bay: Located off Beaty Street, near Lake Davidson, three blocks from downtown Davidson, two townhomes are available and two rental units.

7. What if I buy a unit and want to sell it at a later date? Are there any restrictions?: Yes. When you are ready to sell, you must contact the Affordable Housing Coordinator. You will be issued names from the waiting list of households that have been approved for affordable housing. The Affordable Housing Offices determines the maximum re-sale price in accordance with the formula in the deed restrictions.

8. Can I rent my unit to another person?: Yes, if you are unable to sell your unit. You are allowed to rent it at an affordable rent to an income-qualified household.

9. Is affordable housing subsidized housing?: The affordable units are priced below comparable units in the development that are not affordable. There is no additional reduction in the cost of the unit or the amount of the rent based on the specific income of the buyer or renter. The association fee charged to an affordable unit is a percentage of the fee charged to market rate units.

10. How and where do I apply?: Our office does not match people with homes to buy. We work with our non-profit partners at the Davidson Housing Coalition, to put people into homes they can afford. Please call them for more information at 704-892-4486 or www.davidsonhousing.org. You can also fill out an online application that will be forwarded to the Davidson Housing Coalition. More...

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Animal Control

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1. How do get in touch with animal control services in Davidson?: Davidson Police will respond and determine whether they can be of assistance. If they cannot, they will call for a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control Officer. CMACO is available seven days a week, with business hours and emergency hours.

2. Does Davidson have a leash law?: Yes. Search for "leash" in the Municipal Code

3. What services does Davidson PD animal control provide?: The Davidson Police Department will respond to most animal control requests and determine if they can be of assistance. If they cannot, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control Officer (CMACO) will be called.

4. Does my cat or dog need to be registered and licensed in Davidson?: Yes. Apply in person at the Davidson Town Hall for your pet license.

5. What is the Town of Davidson's animal control ordinance?: View the Animal Control Ordinance

6. How do I report a leash law violation?: Call 704 892-5131.

7. What do I do if I see a rabid animal?: Call 9-1-1.

8. There is a feral cat on my property. Can animal control assist?: Yes. A non-injury trap can be set. You must agree to check the trap every day and provide bait. To pick up a trap, call 704 892-5131.

9. What are the rules regarding animals in Davidson parks (including Fisher Farm)?: Davidson's leash law applies to all Davidson Park facilities EXCEPT the "off leash park" called The Preserve, located at 330 O'Henry Street in the St. Alban's Neighborhood. The Preserve is open only to Davidson residents. All dogs must have a license and proper vaccination records including a rabies vaccination. Dog licenses may be purchased at Davidson Town Hall for $10. Search for "leash" in the Municipal Code

10. Where is the off leash park in Davidson?: The "off leash park" called The Preserve, located at 330 O'Henry Street in the St. Alban's Neighborhood. The Preserve is open only to Davidson residents. All dogs must have a license and proper vaccination records including a rabies vaccination. Dog licenses may be purchased at Davidson Town Hall for $10.

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Fire Department

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1. How many firefighters are employed by the Davidson Fire Department?: The Davidson Fire Department employs 12 part-time firefighters that staff two positions Monday through Friday during business hours. Volunteer firefighters / Emergency Medical Technicians remain the critical element in our emergency response.

2. How much training is required to become a volunteer firefighter or Emergency Medical Technician?: No previous experience or training is necessary to become a Davidson volunteer firefighter. New members are provided with training each spring that will allow them to be certified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1403 Standards. The training is also certified by the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
Prospective members wishing to participate only as an EMT are required to obtain North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician certification prior to submitting an application.

3. On average, how many calls for service does the Davidson Fire Department respond to each day?: The Davidson Fire Department responds to approximately 1,000 calls each year. This averages out to almost three calls each day. As the Town of Davidson continues to grow, our call and response volumes also continue to increase.

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Home

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1. Where can I find information about Davidson College?: More information can be found here... Davidson College website

2. Where can I find information about the Town Mission Statement?: Town Mission Statement
click here

3. Where can I find information about Downtown Davidson?: More information can be found on our visitor's site. click here

4. Where can I read about the Town?: http://nc-davidson2.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=678

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Mayor & Town Board

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1. How do I register to vote?

Contact or visit the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections.

Street address:
741 Kenilworth Ave. Suite 202 Charlotte, NC 28204

Mailing address:
PO Box 31788
Charlotte NC 28231

Ph: 704 336-2133
Fx: 704 343-0537 http://www.meckboe.org/

2. Where can I find an advisory board application?: You can download a committee application below.
Advisory Board Application

3. Where are the meeting minutes?: Minutes from town board meetings, work sessions and other special sessions are available to review online. Minutes are archived online for the past year and minutes from previous years are available for review at town hall.

4. Who appoints people to advisory boards?: The Board appoints members to the planning board, design review board, parks and recreation advisory board and greenways, trails and bikeways advisory board. Citizens may submit an application for consideration. Appointment terms vary and members rotate on and off the board. Advisory Board Application

5. Who can run for Mayor or Commissioner?: Anyone interested in running for elected office must be a Davidson resident and be 18 years of age by election day.

6. How do I run?: Visit the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections Office, register yourself as a candidate, and pay your filing fee.

7. When do I file?: Filing typically occurs in July.

8. How long do elected officials serve?: Elected officials each serve two-year terms.

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Most Popular

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1. How do I apply to exhibit in this year's Gallery Crawl or Art on the Green?: You can visit our "Town Events" page, which can be found under either "Resident" or "Visitor," and then look for April is for Arts and either the Gallery Crawl or Art on the Green - links to the forms are on those pages. Or you can simply visit our Online Forms Center.

2. Find out about the latest town news?: You can find out about town news and recently-released press releases in our Town News Center. You can find the news center under "Residents" and "Latest News," or on our Services A-Z page under L for "Latest News" or N for "News Center." We frequently post the latest news events also in the slideshow on our homepage. You can also link directly to the News Center.

3. Become a MI-Connection subscriber?: Simply visit www.mi-connection.com, or call 704-660-3840.

4. Register a complaint or concern with the town?: You can register any complaint or concern with the town using our RequestTracker online registration system. You'll be able to follow the progress of your complaint or concern and find out exactly when it's been resolved. If you'd like to use this service, please click here.

5. Find online forms and applications?: There are online forms and applications available for many town event sponsorships, job postings, and more. You'll find them all in our Online Forms Center

6. Get a permit approved from the Planning Department?: Permit applications are available at the Town Hall or online. If the permit is downloaded from the website, please make sure you submit three copies of it. Town planners will review the permit application for compliance with the Town of Davidson Planning Ordinance. Upon approval and payment of the fee, the applicant may pick up the permit application and take it to Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency.
Planning Permits

7. Open a business in Davidson?: You can either visit our Business link on the homepage, which has a number of business resources, visit our Explore Davidson website (the link is below), which is home to those resources, or contact our Downtown Manager, Kim Fleming, at kfleming@ci.davidson.nc.us or at 704-892-7591. Explore Davidson website

8. Find out about fun things to do in Davidson?: Simply visit our Explore Davidson visitor's website via the link below, which has information on shopping, dining, and town events, as well as some good ideas of how to spend a fun day in Davidson. Explore Davidson visitor's website

9. Pay my taxes?

Since 2002, the Town of Davidson contracts with Mecklenburg County to collect property taxes. To pay property and vehicle taxes you must visit or contact the Mecklenburg County Tax Office at:

Robert L. "Bob" Walton Plaza, 700 E. Stonewall Street Charlotte, NC 28202, or email the tax office.
Phone: 704 336-4600

For more information, visit Charmeck website or payments website

10. Sign up for a security check for my home?: You can submit a request online that will go directly to the Police Department. Click here to submit online.

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Parks & Recreation

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1. Where are the Parks and Recreation offices / facilities located?: 416 Armour Street
Davidson, NC 28036
Map

2. Where is Fisher Farm Park located?: 21215 Shearer Road
Davidson, NC 28036
Map

3. Where is Randall R. Kincaid Trail?: 2.8 mile greenway that begins before the bridge on South Street.

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Planning

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1. Where is the Planning Department located?: The Planning Department is located on the west side of Main Street (NC 115) just south of the intersection of Main Street and South Street in the Davidson Town Hall. The physical address is:
216 South Main Street
P.O. Box 579
Davidson, NC 28036

2. What types of permits are required?

There are several types of permits required by the Town of Davidson. They are:

3. How do I get a permit approved?: Permit applications are available at the Town Hall or online. If the permit is downloaded from the website, please make sure you submit three copies of it. Town planners will review the permit application for compliance with the Town of Davidson Planning Ordinance. Upon approval and payment of the fee, the applicant may pick up the permit application and take it to Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency.
Planning Permits

4. How much does a building permit cost?: Fees associated with a building permit vary depending on the permit required and the nature of the project. For more information on planning fees, please see our Fee Schedule.

5. What is the zoning of my property?: The Town of Davidson Planning Ordinance categorizes properties into Planning Areas. You may locate your property on the Davidson Planning Ordinance map and use the legend to determine the planning area for your property.

6. How can I develop my property?: The Town of Davidson does not generally use density limits or standard setback requirements. Instead, we encourage designers and developers to consider the surrounding context and creatively address the constraints and opportunities on a site by site basis.

Sections four and nine of the Davidson Planning Ordinance provide a list of permitted uses and site design regulations per planning area.

Refer to these sections first, and then contact a planner to set up an appointment to discuss your property further.

7. How do I determine the permitted uses for my property?: The description of each planning area and their permitted uses are outlined in section four of the Davidson Planning Ordinance.

8. What are the minimum required setbacks from my property line?: Design regulations, including building types, minimum required setbacks, and height restrictions are outlined in section nine of the Planning Ordinance. Additional uses and regulations, including accessory structures, are described in section five of the Planning Ordinance.

9. Do I need an appointment to meet with a planner?: Yes. Please call the Department of Planning and Urban Design at 704 892-7592 to make an appointment.

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Police

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1. What number do I call in an emergency?: 9-1-1

2. What is an emergency?

A true emergency is any fire, injury or illness, which endangers a person's safety, or a crime in progress. An emergency is life threatening and requires immediate fire, medical, or police response. An emergency is something that is occurring right now.

In Davidson, you would call 9-1-1 to:

Save a life

Put out a fire

Stop a crime

3. What number do I call if it is not an emergency?: 704 892-5131 or 704 336-3237

4. What are the hours of the non-emergency phone number?: In non-emergency situations, you would call the non-emergency phone number. In Davidson this is 704 892-5131 and we are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During non-business hours you will have the choice of selecting the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Communications or the on-duty Davidson shift supervisor.

5. Who do I call about an incident I've already reported?: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., call 704 892-5131 and ask for the front desk. They will be able to assist you.

6. How do I get a copy of my traffic accident report or a police report?: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., call 704 892-5131 and ask for the front desk. They will be able to assist you.

7. What are police department office hours?: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The on-duty shift supervisor can be reached during non-business hours by dialing 704 892-5131.

8. How do I sign up for a security check for my home?

Call Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 704 892-5131 and ask for the front desk. They will be able to assist you.

Or you can sign up in person at the Davidson Police Department during business hours.

Or you can use our online form

9. How can I get my child safety seat inspected?: Call Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 704 892-5131 and ask for the front desk. They will be able to assist you.
Or you can make an appointment in person at the Davidson Police Department during business hours.

10. How do I pay a traffic citation?: If you were issued a traffic citation you should have been given a pink form. Written on the front of the pink form there should be a court date. On the back of that form there are two boxes which state whether you must appear in court or you do not have to appear in court. If the box that states you do not have to appear in court is checked, you can mail a certified check or money order with the signed and dated citation.

11. What do I do if my car is towed?: Generally, Archer's Wrecker Service tows for the Davidson Police Department. Archer's Wrecker (704 892 9374) is located at 433 South Main Street in Davidson, just two blocks down from the Davidson Town Hall. Hunter Wrecker (704 375 9357), located at 1114 North Davidson Street, Charlotte, is also used occasionally.
If your car has been towed and impounded due to no registration or other legal issue, you will need to prove current registration and bring a licensed driver to get your car out of impound. Each wrecker service has its own fee schedule for towing and daily storage. Call ahead to the wrecker service to confirm the amount of your charges and what form of payment they will and will not accept.

12. What if someone I know has been arrested? How can I get them out of jail?: Visit the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, 700 East Fourth St., Charlotte, NC 28202.
Phone: 704 336-2543 or Fax: 704-336-6118

13. If I have property at the police department, how can I get it back?: Call Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 704 892-5131 and ask for the front desk. They will be able to assist you.

14. Where do I find the Town of Davidson Ordinances?: View the Municipal Code

15. What is the Town of Davidson's noise ordinance?: Search for "noise" in the Municipal Code

16. What is the Town of Davidson's leash law?: Search for "dog" or "leash" in the Municipal Code

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Public Information

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1. Where can I find the Town mission statement?: You can find the Town mission statement on the Government page.

2. How can I sign up for the eCrier?: eCrier subscriptions

3. Where can I find The Town Message?: The Town Message is a quarterly newsletter. Archived copies are available online
The town will soon implement new Hot Topic newsletters, which will be shorter, more frequent and will address a single topic of relevance at a time.

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Public Works

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1. Can I cut down a tree in my yard?

It is illegal in Davidson to trim or remove trees with greater than a four-inch diameter without a permit. Several years ago, the town implemented a tree ordinance to protect Davidson's green canopy.

If your landscaping plans include tree trimming or removal, make sure you comply with the ordinance and avoid a fine. Permit applications are available online under "Online Forms" under "E-Services," under "Tree Permits" under the Public Works department, or via the link below.

Tree Permit Application

2. I need a new recycling bin and garbage bin. What do I do?: Davidson contracts garbage and recycling pickup for residents with Republic Services (Allied Waste of Charlotte), an outside vendor.
They can be reached at 704 393-6900. Contact them for replacement bins.

3. When is my collection day?: See the Collection Schedules.

4. What can I recycle?: See the Recycling Information page.

5. Where do I place my cart on collection days?: Carts should be placed close to the road but should not block sidewalks, bike lanes and parking areas.

6. A street light is out on my road. Who do I call?: Now citizens can report street light outages directly to Duke Power online.

7. There is a huge pothole on my street. Who is responsible for fixing it?: Pothole or service problems:
NCDOT is responsible for the primary town streets including: I-77 ramps, Main, Pine, Grey, Jackson, and Concord Road. Contact them to report a street repair.
All other streets within the town limits (except those within new developments not yet turned over to the Town) belong to the town and are repaired by the town. Contact Town Hall at 704 892-7591 to report a pothole.

8. How do I report a traffic light outage?: For traffic light outages on locally-maintained streets, call Town Hall at 704 892-7591. For NC DOT- maintained streets, call the DOT Toll-Free Hotline at 877.DOT.4YOU (Customer Service).

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Traffic

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1. What is the best way to enter a round-about?: Round-abouts are implemented to slow traffic on thoroughfares and to increase the efficient flow of traffic at intersections which normally would be controlled by four-way stop signs or traffic signals. Think of entering a round-about as if you were making a right turn on a red light. Always yield to the traffic approaching from the left of your location. Enter when it is safe to do so, just as if you were making a right turn on red.

2. What actually constitutes "running a red light"?: At most intersections there will either be a crosswalk, a solid white line (stop bar), or both across the lanes. When both are present, the stop bar will be the closest line and that is the point at which a vehicle must be over when the light turns red in order to not be a red light violation. In the absence of the stop bar, the crosswalk becomes the point. In the absence of either, an imaginary line connecting the closest curb line of the cross street then becomes the point of no return. Often times, drivers fail to recognize where their vehicle is when the light turns red and feel that they were in the intersection at the time the light cycles from yellow to red. The most effective way to avoid running a red light is to anticipate the light cycle and prepare to stop when the light turns yellow. A red light violation carries a $130 fine and four points assessed against the driver’s license.

3. When making a left turn at an intersection and another vehicle coming the opposite way is making a left turn, should the cars pass each other then turn or turn before passing?: If you notice on controlled left-turn intersections where the lanes are marked, they are marked so that two opposing vehicles turning left are directed to turn in front of each other so that they pass right side to right side. This is the proper method when turning left at any intersection. The law does state that a driver is to execute the left turn left of the center of the intersection. In addition, exercising defensive driving, the opposing vehicle may, by a turn signal, indicate an intention to turn left but actually be going straight. Be cautious prior to turning in front until the other driver has actually initiated the left turn.