County and Municipal Government in North Carolina, 2025 Edition

North Carolina is home to over 10 million people, more than 550 cities, and exactly 100 counties, all governed by the laws summarized in this book. The tiny town with just a single stoplight and the major metropolis with a million residents operate under the same legal framework. This book aims to explain that legal framework so that readers understand what our state’s counties and cities do and how they do it.

County and Municipal Government in North Carolina is designed primarily to meet the needs of elected and appointed county and city board members, as well as the employees who, on a day-to-day basis, carry out the functions mandated and authorized for North Carolina local governments. We hope that it will also appeal to a broader audience, including citizens, civic leaders, students, state employees, legislators, media members, and any others who need basic information about the legal authority and responsibilities of North Carolina counties and cities.

This publication is available in print and digital versions. The digital version offers the following special features:

• Full-Text Keyword Search: Find the information you need quickly and easily, saving you valuable time and effort.
• Dynamic Cross-References: Navigate between related sections with ease.
• Footnote Options: Readily access relevant citations and additional contextual information by expanding the convenient inline footnotes.

You will have unlimited access to this digital publication until the next edition is published.

When the book is published, a preview of the table of contents and the first chapter will be available.

Print Version

When you purchase the print version of this book, your credit card statement will show a charge to Longleaf Services, the School of Government’s fulfillment provider. Any questions about your purchase should be directed to Longleaf Services by emailing customerservice@longleafservices.org or by calling 800.848.6224.

Digital Version 

When you purchase the digital version of this book, your credit card statement will show a charge to Longleaf Services, the School of Government’s fulfillment provider. Any questions about your purchase should be directed to Longleaf Services by emailing customerservice@longleafservices.org or by calling 800.848.6224. 

Within 15 minutes of your purchase, you will receive an email from the School of Government with a link and instructions on how to set up your digital account. If you do not receive an onboarding email within an hour of completing your purchase, or if you have any questions about accessing your digital version, contact helpdesk@sog.unc.edu. Longleaf Services cannot assist with digital access issues.

Bulk Purchases

If you purchase more than one copy, the School of Government will contact you with information about setting up multiple accounts. Please note that if you purchase by check or payment other than the shopping cart, you will not receive your account information until your payment has been processed. Customers who use the cart for multiple orders will be notified within one to two business days.