Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the population of Wilkesboro?

Answer: Presently, Wilkesboro has about 3,413 residents.

Question: Is Town of Wilkesboro and Town of North Wilkesboro the same government agency?

Answer: No, these are two separate local government agencies located in Wilkes County.

Question: What forms of payments are accepted by the Town of Wilkesboro?

Answer: Cash, check, money order, credit cards, and online payments through our website.

Question: What are your payments methods and hours of operation?

Answer: 1 - Payment counter inside town hall - open Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 2 - Drive thru window at town hall open Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 3 - Night deposit box open 24/7, 4 - mail to PO Box 1056, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 or 5 - Electronic payment from our website 24/7.

Question: Is your mailing address the same as your street address?

Answer: No, our physical street address is 203 West Main Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 and our mailing address is Town of Wilkesboro, PO Box 1056, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Please address to person or department's name or person's attention to ensure prompt delivery.

Question: What is the procedure for opening a new business in the Town of Wilkesboro?

Answer: First, check with Planning Department for sign and zoning compliances. Next, check with Fire Inspector for fire inspections to building. Once these two departments have completed and approved inspections and permits, please contact with the Privilege License Clerk for a business/privilege license. All applications are located on our website under forms. These can be printed and filled out prior to meeting with the respective department. Lastly, contact the Utility billing clerk, for your utility account(s).

Question: Do I need permission or a permit to post a sign at my business?

Answer: Yes, please see forms on the website for a sign permit application or check with the Planning Department.

Question: Do you allow turning, moving or scrolling signage?

Answer: No, these types of signs are not permitted in Town of Wilkesboro.

Question: Who do I call about a zoning question or building permit?

Answer: Please check with the Planning Department at 336-838-3951 ext. 241, fax 336-838-7616. Also, see forms on the website for a permit applications for information needed.

Question: Is a business license and a privilege license the same?

Answer: Yes, the official name is privilege license.

Question: How is the cost for privilege license calculated?

Answer: Currently on a flat rate basis, not gross wages.

Question: Who is required to have a privilege license?

Answer: Businesses operating or performing services within the town limits and/or uses a company vehicle to make deliveries within the town limits are required to obtain a Town of Wilkesboro Privilege License.

Question: How do I get a Privilege License?

Answer: A Privilege License Application Form must be completed in order to receive a privilege license from the town. The applications can be obtained 3 ways: in person at Town Hall, fax or on our website under forms. Once the application is completed, the type of business is determined and a flat rate will be due for the fiscal year.

Question: Who has the responsibility of obtaining a privilege license?

Answer: Each person or business has the duty to determine whether the business is licensed and if so, whether the licensing requirements have been paid for the current tax year.

Question: What is the licensing term for a privilege license?

Answer: A license term is July 1st thru June 30th and is renewable each year before July 1st of each year.

Question: Where do I post my Privilege License?

Answer: It is required that your Privilege License(s) be posted conspicuously in the place of business licensed. If the licensee has no regular place of business, the license must be kept where it can be inspected at all times by the proper town officials. If a machine is licensed, the license shall be affixed to the machine.

Question: Can my business be inspected for a privilege license by the privilege license clerk or any other town official?

Answer: Yes, each person who conducts business in the town shall permit the proper town officials to inspect the business premises during normal business hours to determine the nature of business conducted and to examine the books and records to determine the nature and amount of business transacted.

Question: What happens if I do not get a Privilege License?

Answer: If your business fails to obtain or renew your license, you will not be able to operate your business within the town limits and will be fined.

Question: When are utility bills mailed out?

Answer: Between the 11th and 15th of each month.

Question: When are utility bills payments due?

Answer: On the first of the month after receiveing your utility bill. The due date is stated on your bill.

Question: When are utility late charges/penalties added to my account.

Answer: Utility bills are due on the 1st of the month and each customer is given a 10 day grace period. If your utilty bill is not received by 10th of the month by 3:00 PM, a late fee is added each month.

Question: What is the schedule that customers receive utility bills?

Answer: Residential, apartments and businesses are billed monthly.

Question: Who do I call if I am concerned that my utility bill may be incorrect or suspect a leak?

Answer: The utility billing clerk at 336-838-3951 ext. 233, fax 336-838-7616 or mail inquiry to Town of Wilkesboro, Attn: Utility Billing, PO Box 1056, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Question: Who do I call about a water line break or a sewer line break during regular or after hours?

Answer: 336-838-0188 for regular or after business hours - If after hours, the telephone number for the person on-call will be available on the recording. If non-emergency, please leave message and telephone number for Public Works to return the call.

Question: When are tax bills mailed?

Answer: Tax bills mailed out some time in the month of July of each year.

Question: I did not get a tax bill in the mail. What can I do?

Answer: Contact the Town Tax Collector at 336-838-3951 Ext. 234 or fax 336-838-7616. We can tell you what you owe.

Question: Can you send me another tax bill?

Answer: No. The tax department contracts with a third party vendor to print and mail our bills. Only one is printed.

Question: When are taxes due?

Answer: September 1 of each year.

Question: When is tax penalty/interest charged?

Answer: On January 6 of the following year, a 2% penalty is added to all accounts with an outstanding balance. On the first day of each month thereafter, ¾% interest is added until the account reaches a zero balance. These fees are mandated under State law and cannot be removed.

Question: What if I don’t pay my town taxes?

Answer: Any time after January 6, forced collections can be done. Attachment of wages, bank accounts and debt setoff are some examples.

Question: Do you accept postmark date for tax bills?

Answer: Yes. Postmarks applied by a postal clerk are accepted as the payment date. It is your responsibility the date is legible. Meter dates ARE NOT the same as postmark dates and ARE NOT accepted as payment date.

Question: When is the last day to pay tax bills so my name does not show in the newspaper as delinquent?

Answer: Delinquencies are generally advertised in early April of each year. The list is created about one week before publication.

Question: Do you take partial payments for taxes?

Answer: Yes. It is your responsibility to make sure your entire balance is paid.

Question: I am having problems paying my tax bills. What can I do?

Answer: Contact the Tax Collector. We may be able to work out a payment plan.

Question: How can I change my name/address on my tax bills and listings?

Answer: The Town gets a file from the Wilkes County Tax Collector once a year. The county tax office does all name and address changes. If you send written changes to us, we will send a copy to the county and can make a note on the computer for our records. The address the county has when they create the file for us is the address your tax bill will be mailed to and is what is in our records.

Question: What is the Police Department's non-emergency telephone number?

Answer: 336-667-7277

Question: Directions to Wilkesboro Police Departement?

Answer: We are located at 100 West St. Wilkesboro, NC 28697. We can be reached from US 421 at exits 285 and 286 A & B. From exit 285, drive north on Brushy Mtn. Rd. to Call St. to Courthouse Drive straight onto S. Bridge St. then left onto Main St. and the department is at the corner of West St. and Main St. From exit 286 A, go east on River St. (NC 268) which becomes Main St. From exit 286 B, go north (turn left) until you come to Main St. and we are at the corner of West St. and Main St. Address is 100 West Main Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697

Question: Where can I get copies of incident and accident reports and what is the cost?

Answer: Police reports are available at http://wilkesboronc.policereports.us/ by entering the report number and/or the occurrence date, the name of the driver or victim and/or location for a fee of $2.50. They are also available at the Law Enforcement Operations Center (LOEC) for FREE and is located at 100 West St. (the corner of Main and West).

Question: In case of an accident, should I move my vehicle prior to police arrival on scene of accident?

Answer: Usually vehicles should not be moved before police arrive, however if there is a perceived danger of leaving the vehicles in the road, such as the road is completely blocked, a blind curve, or other circumstance that could lead to further accidents or injury, then the vehicles should be moved.

Question: How can I find out the status of my case at the police department?

Answer: By calling the police department at (336) 667-7277 and asking to speak to the officer investigating the incident and/or their supervisor.

Question: Where do I pay parking ticket fines?

Answer: They may be paid at Town Hall located at 203 West Main Street in downtown WIlkesboro beisde the Federal Bldg and Post Office.

Question: Where is the Wilkes County Courthouse to appear for a court date?

Answer: It is located on Courthouse Drive which can be reached from Main St. by turning onto S. Bridge St. and it will be on the left going south. It can be reached off US 421 at exit 285 and driving north on Brushy Mtn. Rd(Oakwoods Rd.) and turning left onto Call St. and then right onto Courthouse Drive.

Question: What is the penalty if I fail to pay my parking ticket fines?

Answer: There will be a civil penalty of $1 if not paid within 24 hours and a notification of nonpayment sent to you.

Question: How can I protect my vacant home or business after closing hours?

Answer: Be sure to secure entryways by locking them. Never leave your garage doors open and deadbolt locks are best for homes. The installation of an alarm system that alerts police or a security company that calls police if there is unauthorized entry is a good idea. There are alarm systems that can detect smoke or fire. Video surveillance systems and warning signs are great deterrents to crime also.

Question: If I don’t have a concealed carry permit, where can I legally carry a weapon in my vehicle?

Answer: A weapon may only be carried in plain view. It must not be concealed in any way whatsoever inside a vehicle. It must be out of any possibility of the occupants reach and should be carried unloaded if concealed in the vehicle. If approached by police and you have a weapon anywhere in the vehicle, show your hands and inform the officer that you have a weapon and where it is.

Question: What qualifications are necessary in order to become a police officer?

Answer: Please see our website www.wilkesboropd.com where this and more information can be found. Be at least 20 years of age, Possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license, No felony conviction, No conviction of a serious misdemeanor within the last 5 years, Be of good moral character, Possess a high school diploma or GED, Possess a current BLET Certification Live within the county, Submit to a background investigation, Submit to psychological testing, Submit to drug testing, Obtain a physical Demonstrate, Proficiency with a firearm through actual firearms qualifications, Obtain OC Spray certification, and Obtain Taser Certification.

Question: What qualifications are necessary in order to become a telecommunicator?

Answer: Have good communication and verbal skills, a clean criminal record, and apply at the police department located at 100 West St. Wilkesboro, NC 28697 or online at www.wilkesboropd.com.

Question: How do I get a Special Events Permit?

Answer: Contact the Police Chief, Robert Bowlin, at (336) 667-7277.

Question: Who do I call for animals?

Answer: Dead animals within the town limits - Street Dept. at 336-838-0188, outside the town limits NC DOT at 336-903-9154. Live animals problems, contact the Wilkes County Animal Shelter at 336-903-7688 or the Humane Society of Wilkes at 336-838-9588.

Question: How do I obtain a Taxi Permit?

Answer: Contact the Police Chief, Robert Bowlin at (336) 667-7277.

Question: Is the Town of Wilkesboro NC sales tax exempt?

Answer: No, the Town of Wilkesboro pays NC sales and use taxes and IS NOT tax-exempt. These taxes, when applicable, should be included on your invoice.