Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Hawksnest part of Seven Devils?
No. Hawksnest is a
private, separate entity and is simply located in Seven Devils. For questions
about snow tubing and the zip-line, please contact Hawksnest at 828-963-6561.
2. What are the road conditions like? Can I get to my house through all the snow?
Please keep in mind that the Seven Devils office staff has not been on the roads and cannot tell you the specific conditions of each Town road. Our Public Works department works diligently to maintain the roads during the snow season, however, they do not put any salt or chemicals on the Towns roads. When the snow season is here keep in mind that Seven Devils requires all vehicles to be either All Wheel Drive (4 Wheel Drive), have studded snow tires or have snow chains in order to drive on Town roads. You can look at the webcam on the "HOME" page or check out our 'Weather and Roads' tab which will give you an idea of what the conditions are like here. The "HOME" page webcam is a "live view." Remember the weather is unpredictable so please use your best judgement before attempting to drive when the conditions are looking bad.
3. What are the operating hours at Town
Hall?
Normal operating
hours are Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:00pm
4. When Are Property Taxes Due?
Property taxes are
due on January 5th of each year. Post marks are accepted. Penalties start
accruing after January 5th.
From Jan 6-31 there is a 2% interest
penalty.
Each month
thereafter is ¾ of 1%.
NO EXCEPTIONS WILL
BE MADE
5. What is the Property Tax Rate?
The Property Tax
Rate is $.51 per $100 of valuation.
6. When are Business License Fees Due?
Business License
fees are due on July 1st of each year.
7. Does the Town have a garbage disposal
area?
No, but residents
can take their garbage to the nearby Foscoe dumping facility located on Highway
105.
You may contact them at 828-963-2549.
Residents may also
contract with GDS in Watauga and Avery Counties. Contact information for GDS in
Watauga County is 828-264-3689. Their Avery County number is 828-733-9619.
8. Are there any restrictions on outdoor working
hours in Seven Devils?
The construction,
demolition, erection, alteration, or repair of any building or other structure
is permitted between the hours of 7a.m. and 8p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Similar work is not
permitted on Sundays.
The same
restrictions apply to lawn mowers, weed eaters, and other gasoline powered
tools.
9. Are there any shops and restaurants
located in Seven Devils?
Yes. All shops and
restaurants in Seven Devils are located down the mountain in the Tynecastle area, off of Highway
105.
10. Is there a golf course in Seven Devils?
No, the Hawksnest
golf course was shut down in 2004 in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. The golf
course was a private entity.
11. Do I need a Tree
Permit? How do I obtain a Tree Permit?
The Town of Seven
Devils has a Tree Protection Ordinance. Residents must apply for and receive a
tree permit from the zoning administrator in order to cut a tree or prune a tree
if the branches to be trimmed are greater than 3”. The permit is free following
an inspection by the zoning administrator. Residents must keep the permit
posted until the project is completed.
Trees under 6
inches diameter at breast height (4.5 feet) do not require a permit unless
those trees represent 50% of the trees on the property.
Residents may be
issued a tree permit under the following conditions, as identified in the
town’s zoning ordinance,
section 8.9.4:
Trees are within 10
feet of an area designated for the construction of an approved primary or
accessory structure on a lot, including designated walkways, driveways and
parking areas or,
Tree(s) are within
5 feet of a septic tank or septic drain field.
Tree(s) pose a
hazard to the property owner, adjacent property, utility lines, or public
health or safety.
Removal of tree(s)
is the only reasonable way by which building, zoning, subdivisions, health,
public-safety, or other town requirements can be met.
Violating the tree
ordinance will result in a $500 fine per tree.
12. What do I need to do if I want to
build/repair a deck?
If you are simply
replacing decking boards, and not expanding a deck or porch, no permit is
required.
All structural
changes, such as floor joists, support posts, handrails, pickets, etc. requires
a permit.
A new deck, or the
expansion of an existing deck, will require a permit from the County Health
Department before seeking your permit from the Town of Seven Devils.
Contact the zoning
administrator at Town Hall for additional questions.
Failure to obtain a
building permit will result in a minimum fine of $75.00; or .35 cents per
square foot and fees will be doubled from the normal rate. The Town has the authority
to require destruction of property that is built without a permit.
13. How do I get the Town to turn off my water
valve for safety? How do I ensure that my water valve is turned on when I need
it to be?
Request for water
turn-off and turn-on should be made no less than 2 working days (Mon-Fri) prior
to the desired cut-off or cut-on date, during normal working hours
(8:30a.m.-5:00p.m.) Contact town hall at (828)-963-5343 to make request. Requests shorter than 2 working days will
result in a $10 fee.
Residents should
turn their water valves off if they plan on leaving town for an extended period
of time. It is imperative that residents turn their private water shutoff
valves off before leaving to prevent potentially large losses of water and a
resulting high water bill.
Only town personnel
are authorized to use the town’s water shut-off valve. For residents who want
to use the town shut-off valve, charges will apply.
14. What is the cost of water per month?
The minimum bill
(3,500 gallons) is $35.00
Additional gallons:
3,501 to 6,000 is $.01/gal
6,001 to unlimited is $.02/gal
Water Bill for Well users is $15.00
15. What is the penalty fee for not paying
my water bill on time?
The Penalty fee is
$5.00
16. What is the Reconnection fee if my water
is turned off for non-payment?
$50.00
17. What is the cost of installing a water
tap?
The
fee for installing a Residential 3/4’’ Tap is $2,000.00
18. Do I need a Sign Permit? If so, how do I
get one?
Most signs require
a permit: Please see Article 9 in the zoning ordinance for detailed information
on the town’s sign ordinance.
Sign permits are
issued by the zoning administrator, except for real estate signs, which are
issued by the Town Clerk. Please call 828-963-5343 to contact Town Hall.
Permits for Freestanding
and Off-Premise Signs are $50.00
Permits for Temporary
and Real-Estate Signs are $15.00
19. What action can I take if a neighbor(s)
is being too loud?
Simply contact the
Public Safety Department at 828-963-6760. After investigating the matter, town
authorities may issue a warning to the person(s). If the problem persists, town
authorities may issue a fine of up to $500.00 for each violation.
20. Are there restrictions for off-road
vehicles in Seven Devils?
Off-road vehicles are permitted
between 7am and 8pm Monday through Saturday, and between noon and nightfall on
Sundays. Off-road vehicles are not permitted on town property or the town’s rights-of
way.
21. Are there any hiking
trails/waterfalls in Seven Devils?
Several walking routes are
available in Seven Devils. Additionally, Bear Paw State Natural Area is public
property and is open to hiking. There are no marked hiking trails on the
property. The waterfall in Seven Devils is located on private property and is
not open to the public. Several public trails are located just outside of Seven
Devils.
22. Who do I contact for information
about rentals in Seven Devils?
Please click on the ‘Businesses in Seven Devils’ tab for a
list of rentals in Seven Devils.