Winston-Salem Inclusionary Zoning Guide

Land Use and Zoning North Carolina 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 10, 2026 Flag of North Carolina

In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, inclusionary zoning measures affect how developers and city planners address affordable housing within new residential projects. This guide summarizes the current municipal stance, how to check zoning requirements, where to find incentives or voluntary programs, enforcement paths, and practical steps for developers, nonprofit builders, and residents seeking affordable units.

Overview

The City of Winston-Salem currently manages land use and affordable housing tools through its Planning and Development Services and related ordinances. There is no single labeled "inclusionary zoning" chapter prominently codified for mandatory citywide requirements on the municipal code pages consulted; policies often appear as part of incentive programs, density bonuses, or housing strategies administered by city planning staff [1][2].

If you are a developer, consult planning staff early in project design to learn about voluntary incentives.

How inclusionary approaches typically work in Winston-Salem

  • Voluntary programs and incentives: the city may offer density bonuses, fee waivers, or expedited review to support affordable units.
  • Affordable unit requirements, if applied, are set by local ordinance or development agreement; specific percentages and income targets vary by program and are not consolidated under a single "inclusionary zoning" code section on the cited pages [1].
  • Long-term affordability controls: when required, units are typically subject to deed restrictions or covenants monitored by the city or partner agencies.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of land-use and affordability provisions in Winston-Salem is handled through municipal code enforcement and the Planning and Development Services department, often in coordination with the City Attorney or Inspections division. Specific monetary fines or dollar amounts for violations of an inclusionary requirement are not specified on the cited municipal pages and must be confirmed with the enforcing office [1].

  • Enforcer: Planning and Development Services and Inspections, with legal support from the City Attorney.
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; consult the municipal code or enforcement notices for any numeric penalties [1].
  • Escalation: first-offense versus continuing violations and daily fines are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: compliance orders, stop-work orders, covenant enforcement, and court action are standard municipal tools.
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: report potential violations to Planning and Development Services via the official contact page [2].
  • Appeals and review: appeals of administrative decisions generally follow procedures in the zoning or unified development ordinance; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with the Planning office [1].
If a monetary penalty is critical to your case, obtain the specific ordinance section from the city before relying on amounts.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes permit and development-application forms through Planning and Development Services and the Inspections Division. For inclusionary or affordable-housing program participation, developers typically submit site-plan applications, development agreements, and any required affordability covenants. Specific form names or code section numbers for a mandatory inclusionary ordinance are not published on the consulted pages [2].

How the review process works

Project reviews that include affordable housing commitments are processed during site-plan and subdivision review. Commitments to provide affordable units are usually recorded as conditions in development agreements or as recorded covenants tied to building permits or certificate of occupancy approvals.

Record affordability covenants at the time of plat approval to avoid delays at permitting.

Common compliance issues

  • Failing to record affordability covenants before final plat or occupancy.
  • Not registering required units with the city or monitoring agency.
  • Incorrect unit targeting or income-level documentation.

FAQ

Does Winston-Salem have a mandatory inclusionary zoning ordinance?
The municipal pages consulted do not show a citywide mandatory inclusionary zoning ordinance; policies are implemented through incentives, development agreements, or program-specific rules [1][2].
Who enforces affordable housing commitments?
Planning and Development Services, Inspections, and the City Attorney enforce land-use and recorded covenant requirements; complaints should be filed via the Planning contact page [2].
Where do I find the required forms?
Permit and development application forms are published by Planning and Development Services and by Inspections; specific inclusionary forms are not listed on the cited pages [2].

How-To

  1. Check the municipal code and zoning chapters for any enacted inclusionary provisions and relevant development standards [1].
  2. Contact Planning and Development Services to confirm current programs, incentives, or requirements and to request applicable forms [2].
  3. If required, submit site plans, development agreements, and recorded affordability covenants with your permit application.
  4. Arrange monitoring and reporting for income certifications and unit occupancy to meet covenant obligations.

Key Takeaways

  • Winston-Salem manages affordable housing through planning tools and incentives rather than a single citywide mandatory inclusionary code on the cited pages.
  • Always consult Planning and Development Services early to learn applicable incentives, forms, and recording requirements [2].

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Winston-Salem Code of Ordinances - zoning and land use sections
  2. [2] City of Winston-Salem Planning and Development Services - programs and contacts

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