Winston-Salem WCAG Website Accessibility Bylaws

Technology and Data North Carolina 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of North Carolina

Winston-Salem, North Carolina requires municipal websites and portals to meet accessibility expectations that align with WCAG principles. This article explains how local rules are applied in practice, who enforces compliance, common violations, and the steps municipal website owners should take to reduce legal and operational risk. It summarizes enforcement pathways, application or variance routes, and practical actions for public bodies and contractors hosting services for Winston-Salem residents.

Penalties & Enforcement

The city enforces web accessibility issues under local ordinances and administrative rules referenced in the municipal code and city accessibility statements. Specific monetary penalties and escalation schedules for web accessibility noncompliance are not specified on the cited municipal code page Code of Ordinances[1].

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited municipal code page; see municipal code for related enforcement provisions.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence procedures are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: administrative orders to remediate, injunctive actions, or court enforcement may be used where authorized by ordinance; specific remedies are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Enforcer and complaints: primary operational responsibility is typically with Planning and Development Services or the city IT/administration office; submit accessibility concerns through the city contact or department pages.Accessibility[2] Planning & Development Services[3]
  • Appeals and review: formal appeal routes, time limits, and hearing processes are not specified on the cited municipal code page.[1]
  • Defences and discretion: requests for reasonable accommodation, phased remediation plans, or variances may be available through department review; check the Planning & Development Services contact page for procedures.[3]
If a specific fine or deadline matters to your project, request a written enforcement policy from the cited department.

Applications & Forms

The municipal code and department pages do not publish a standard "WCAG compliance" permit form; where forms exist they are listed on the enforcing department's web pages. Specific form names, numbers, fees, and submission instructions are not specified on the cited pages. For procedural filings or variance requests consult Planning & Development Services or the city accessibility contact.[3]

No single city form for WCAG compliance is posted on the cited municipal pages as of the referenced sources.

Common Violations and Typical Responses

  • Missing alt text for images — often flagged for remediation and monitoring.
  • Insufficient keyboard navigation or focus order — remedial coding and testing required.
  • Unlabeled form controls and poor error handling — require code fixes and retesting.
  • Failure to provide accessible documents (PDFs) — may trigger takedown or remediation orders.
Document remediation timelines and testing results to show good-faith compliance efforts.

FAQ

What standard should Winston-Salem websites meet?
Winston-Salem refers to WCAG principles as the technical standard to achieve accessibility; check the city accessibility statement and municipal code for specific expectations.[2]
Who do I contact to report an inaccessible city webpage?
Report accessibility issues via the city accessibility contact or Planning & Development Services; department pages list contact options.[2][3]
Are there fines for noncompliance?
The municipal code does not list specific fines for web accessibility on the cited page; consult the enforcement department for applicable remedies.[1]

How-To

  1. Identify accessibility gaps using automated WCAG scanners and manual testing with assistive technologies.
  2. Create a remediation plan listing pages, tasks, deadlines, and responsible staff or contractors.
  3. Submit any required variance or permit requests to Planning & Development Services if your project needs phased compliance.[3]
  4. Document testing results and maintain an accessibility statement on the site describing your remediation timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • Start accessibility testing early and document remediation steps.
  • Consult Planning & Development Services for process questions and possible variances.
  • Keep records of fixes and user testing to demonstrate good-faith compliance.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Code of Ordinances - Winston-Salem
  2. [2] City accessibility statement - Winston-Salem
  3. [3] Planning & Development Services - Winston-Salem

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