Curiosities of Wilmington City Code: 8 regulations you might not have known exist
Wilmington residents might be familiar with many of the typical ordinances outlined in Wilmington's City Code -- with some regulations and requirements being rather straightforward.
However, there are a handful of regulations that stand out as a bit peculiar or might have escaped your notice.
Here's a list of eight provisions included in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wilmington, North Carolina, that you might not have known about.
Fur-bidden friends: Animals prohibited from entering festivals
Animal lovers may be disappointed by Section 6-2.3 of the Wilmington City Code.
This section prohibits animals from being brought into the boundaries of the Azalea Festival, Riverfest, or "any public street, road, highway, sidewalk, alley, parking lot, or right-of-way which is temporarily closed to regular traffic for special events," according to the code.
NC Azalea Festival: Complete coverage from the StarNews
Requirements for rolling, riding and other recreational activities
Kids and adults seeking some fun on a beautiful day might lace up a pair of roller skates or hop on a skateboard. Before hitting the pavement, it's wise to know where you can legally roll or ride.
Section 11-15 of Wilmington City Code prohibits the use of skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, tricycles, coasters, scooters, sleds, wagons, and other "motive device propelled or designed for propulsion by human power" upon public streets, sidewalks, parks, and vehicular areas within the Central Business District and Riverwalk. Public streets outside of the Central Business District are also off limits.
Sporting activities, including softball, baseball, basketball, football, or soccer are also prohibited on public streets.
Violation of this section can constitute a misdemeanor, according to the code.
Masseurs limited to treating same-sex clients
Massages can offer relaxation and stress relief, but there's a legal twist -- Section 4-127 of the Wilmington City Code prohibits masseurs from treating clients of the opposite sex.
This regulation excludes those referred to treatment by a "signed order of a licensed physician, osteopath, chiropractor or registered physical therapist." However, even in such circumstances, the licensed masseur must maintain the date and time of the treatment and the number of sessions cannot exceed 10. These records are also "subject to inspection by the police at any time."
These requirements also exclude treatments "given in the residence of a patient, the office of a licensed physician, osteopath, registered physical therapist or chiropractor or a regularly established and licensed hospital or sanitarium."
Parade policy: Candy, prizes and other party favors
Wilmington hosts an array of annual parades, from the St. Patrick's Day parade, to the Veterans Day parade, to the Azalea Festival parade, and more.
Technically, Section 11-12 of Wilmington City Code prohibits participants and attendees of a parade from throwing, spraying, or scattering any substance, object, or material on a street or sidewalk. This includes candy, prizes, and other favors.
Selective sales for ice cream scoops
As the temperature rises, ice cream becomes a popular summer treat. However, there are specific regulations governing the sale of ice cream on Wilmington streets.
Vendors are restricted to selling ice cream during daylight hours, sans any noisy advertising tactics like bells, whistles, or gongs, according to Section 4-104 of the Wilmington City Code. Sellers can only remain in one city block for a 30-minute maximum.
Numerous Wilmington streets are off-limits to vendors for ice cream sales, including Chestnut Street, Front Street, Wrightsville Avenue, Carolina Beach Road, College Road, and 21 others.
More: Edible adventures: Pick your own berries and more at these Wilmington-area farms
The when and where of horse-drawn vehicles
You might've crossed paths with a horse-drawn carriage in downtown Wilmington once or twice -- or maybe you've even ridden in one yourself. However, regulations dictate when and where these carriages can operate.
Horse-drawn vehicles for hire cannot operate in the following conditions:
On any city street with speed limits over 35 miles per hour.
Between the hours of 1-3 a.m.
Between 6:30-8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
On Market Street east of Eighth Street.
On Third Street between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
On Front Street between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (with the exception of legal holidays.)
When air temperature exceeds 95 degrees or when the heat index is 105 degrees or higher.
Further requirements for horse-drawn vehicles mandate identification plates, operating equipment, use of specified carriage loading zones, and more in Section 4-212 - Section 4-216 of Wilmington City Code.
Facing fees for false alarms
Alarm systems can offer safety and security for homes and businesses. But what happens when false alarms occur?
For a first-time false alarm, the subscriber will be issued a warning, according to Section 4-2e of Wilmington City Code. Any false alarms thereafter resulting in a response from the Wilmington Police Department or the Wilmington Fire Department can result in service fee charged to the subscriber.
False alarms include mechanical or electronic failure, improper installation, or negligence of the alarm user or their employees or agents, according to the code.
Sunday alcohol sales
Thinking about indulging in a boozy Sunday brunch or grabbing an early drink? Remember to check the clock.
Wilmington establishments are permitted to sell alcoholic beverages only after 10 a.m. on Sundays, according to Section 4-3 of the City Code.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Uncovering 8 peculiar laws in the Wilmington, NC City Code
