Martin County adopts ordinance banning camping, tents and bonfires on county property with Moratoc Park exemption

Martin County commissioners on Sept. 12 adopted an ordinance titled 'Prohibiting Unauthorized Use of County Property and Facilities' that makes camping, tents and temporary shelters on county property unlawful unless written permission is provided by the County Manager or a designee.

The ordinance defines camping and temporary shelters, bans open fires except with Fire Marshal permission, restricts attaching ropes or signs to county facilities and establishes enforcement tools. Violators may be issued civil citations or charged with a misdemeanor punishable under N.C. law; county employees and contractors acting within job scope are exempt. Moratoc Park remains exempt from the ordinance because separate rental rules apply.

County Manager David Bone said the ordinance was intended to provide consistent rules and enforcement authority for county‑owned parcels and rights-of-way. Vice Chairman Tommy Bowen moved for adoption under N.C. Gen. Stat. §153A‑45 and the board approved the ordinance unanimously.

Why it matters: The ordinance creates a clear county policy to manage use of public lands and addresses public-safety risks linked to open fires and temporary encampments, while preserving an exemption for a managed park rental program.

What’s next: County staff and law enforcement have authority to enforce the ordinance; the ordinance is effective immediately upon adoption.