Setting Up in Your New Hometown

Besides finding a place to live and employment, certain things absolutely must be done when relocating to a new town. The basics and resources are boiled down here. Education and Health are featured separately. Refer to Things to Do for fun stuff.

Childcare

Childcare Resources Inc. (CCRI)  |  www.childcareresourcesinc.org  |  704.376.6697
Provides a wide variety of information to help parents and families find early learning and school-age child care services.

Charlotte Parent magazine  |  www.charlotteparent.com  |  704.344.1980
The magazine's Web site offers a family resource guide with everything from family friendly employers to a directory of summer day camps.

Driving

N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles  |  www.ncdot.org  |  919.715.7000

Driver’s License Info

Newcomers must obtain a North Carolina driver’s license within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence. You will be required to provide proof of your full name, age and social security number; proof of liability insurance coverage; and proof of residency.

N.C. has a graduated licensing program for drivers age 15 to 18. Licenses for ages 18 to 53 are renewed every eight years. After age 54, licenses are renewed every five years.

For a list of acceptable documentation (for proof of identity, liability coverage and residency) and DMV locations, please visit the DMV’s Web site or call the number above.

Auto Registration & License Plates Info

Newcomers must obtain an N.C. driver’s license before registering a vehicle. There are some situations under which you can use a driver’s license from another state.

Newcomers must register motor vehicles. Vehicle registrations from other states usually remain valid for 30 days, but this time period varies depending on your prior state of residence. You must provide the title (unless the title is held by a lien holder) and a valid registration card from the state of prior registration. Fees for private passenger vehicles include a $40 title fee and a $28 registration fee. Registration must be renewed annually.

Vehicle must also receive an annual safety and emissions inspection that costs $30. Inspection stations are usually found at service stations, car dealerships and auto repair shops.

Driving Rules & Regulations

Charlotte citywide speed limit is 35 mph unless otherwise posted. Speed limit in school zones is 25 mph. Statewide speed limit is 55 mph unless otherwise posted.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers.

Child restrain devices are mandatory for children less than eight years old and lighter than 80 pounds. Children between 40 and 80 pounds can be secured with a belt-positioning booster seat. They must also sit in the back seat if the vehicle has an active passenger-side air bag and a rear seat. Children under age 16 must use a seat belt or child passenger restraint system at all times, whether in the front or back seat. Placing the shoulder belt under the child’s (or adult’s) arm or behind the back is illegal.

Vehicles must stop for school buses loading or unloading.

Drivers must burn their headlights when using windshield wipers.

Motorcyclists must wear helmets and burn head lights at all times.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines and the loss of driver’s license.

Visit the N.C. DMV Web site (linked above) for additional rules and regulations.

Emergencies & Related Services

Police/Fire/MEDIC  |  Emergencies…911  |  Non-emergencies…311

Power outages  |  800.Power.On

All Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Agencies  |  www.charmeck.org  |  311
Charlotte-Mecklenburg government agencies include Animal Care and Control, Department of Social Services, Domestic Violence, Emergency Management, Fire Department, Health Department, Mental Health, Police Department and more.

Children & Family Services Center  |  www.childrenfamily.org  |  704.943.9400
The Children & Family Services Center is a highly efficient nine-agency source of assistance. The agencies at this central location collaborate with each other and with agencies throughout the county to offer comprehensive services.

Crime Stoppers  |  www.charlottecrimestoppers.com  |  704.334.1600

Federal Bureau of Investigation  |  charlotte.fbi.gov  |  704.377.9200

N.C. Highway Patrol  |  www.nccrimecontrol.org  |  919.733.7952

Poison Center  |  www.ncpoisoncenter.org  |  800.222.1222

Government

North Carolina  |  www.ncgov.com
North Carolina government is based on the federal structure, with executive, legislative and judicial branches located in the state capital, Raleigh.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg  |  www.charmeck.org  |  311 or 704.336.7600
The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are each governed by councils elected every two years in partisan elections – the Charlotte City Council and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. The city manager is appointed by City Council and oversees day-to-day operations of the city. The city’s mayor works with City Council to establish general city policies. The county manager is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and oversees the day-to-day operations of the county. City Council and Board of County Commissioners meetings are open to the public and televised live on cable channel 16.

Pets

Newcomers must obtain animal licenses for their dogs, cats and ferrets within 30 days of establishing residency. All dogs, cats and ferrets more than four months old must be vaccinated for rabies, and proof of vaccination is required to purchase a license. License fees are discounted for pets that have been neutered or spayed, and a discount is available for senior citizens. Pet owners must keep pets on a leash or within a fence, and dog owners are required to clean up after their pets. More information is available at www.charmeck.org/Departments/Animal+Control/Home.htm or by calling 311.

Postal Services

Call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or go to www.usps.gov to fill out a change of address form or to find the post office nearest you.

Taxes

Property Tax

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Tax Collections  |  www.charmeck.org/Departments/Tax+Collections/Home.htm  |  311

Real property tax rates are based on 100 percent of the fair-market value and are due on September 1 each year. Interest accrues beginning January 1. Property values are reassessed every four to eight years with the next revaluation occurring in 2011. Property located within the corporate limits of the City of Charlotte is taxed by both the city and county. The state does not levy a property tax.

Property tax statements for car owners are sent out within three months of registration renewals and are due by the first day of the fourth month following renewal. Call 311 if you do not receive a statement within that time.

Property taxes fund police protection, public transportation, parks, public schools, libraries, restaurant inspections, and health and welfare programs.

State and Local Sales Tax

A 4.25 percent state tax plus a 3.0 percent local tax makes up the 7.25 percent Mecklenburg County sales tax. Prepared food purchases carry an additional 1 percent tax, and hotel room occupancy rates carry an additional 6 percent tax.

The 2009 North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation that temporarily increases the state sales tax rate by 1 percent effective September 1, 2009 and expiring on July 1, 2011.

State Personal Income Tax

N.C. Department of Revenue  |  www.dornc.com  |  877.252.3052

All N.C. residents are subject to personal income taxes. The state’s individual income tax rate is based on the taxpayer’s taxable income as determined under the Internal Revenue Code.

The 2009 North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation that will temporarily require individuals who meet certain income requirements to pay a surtax on the amount of taxes they owe before any withholding, payments or credits through taxable years 2009 to 2010. Visit the N.C. Department of Revenue’s Web site to see the surtax qualifications.

State Corporate Income Tax

N.C. Department of Revenue  |  www.dornc.com  |  877. 252.3052

North Carolina’s corporate income tax rate is 6.9 percent. The franchise tax rate is $1.50 per $1,000. Many businesses can qualify for state funded tax credits and incentives. The 2009 North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation that will temporarily require all corporations subject to corporate income tax to pay a surcharge of 3 percent on its North Carolina income tax due before deducting any tax credits or payments through taxes owed through January 1, 2011.

Transportation

Air Transportation

Charlotte Douglas International Airport  |  www.charmeck.org/Departments/Airport/home.htm  |  704.359.4000

Our airport provides nonstop service to 128 destinations, including 27 international destinations, to approximately 35 million passengers a year. The Wilson Air Center serves corporate and general aviation needs. The airport offers shuttle and taxi service, public transit service, courtesy vehicle pick-up for motels, hotels and rental cars.

Ground Transportation

For the most part, Charlotte was not built on a grid system, and several streets change names multiple times. A good street map is a vital tool for newcomers to the city. One is available by calling the chamber at 704.378.1300 or by visiting Info! Charlotte.

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)  |  www.ridetransit.org  |  704.336.RIDE

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has an extensive transportation system in the Charlotte area. Local fare is just $1.50, while fares for express routes are $2.00 within the county and $3.00 to neighboring counties.

The LYNX Blue Line, Charlotte’s first light-rail transit system, extends from 7th Street in Center City Charlotte to I-485 at South Boulevard. Additional lines to Lake Norman, UNC Charlotte and the airport are planned for the future.

The Gold Rush, a free shuttle service, operates within the uptown area during weekday office hours.

While the entire fleet is wheelchair accessible, CATS Special Transportation Services provides additional services for those with certified disabilities. Visit the Web site or call for additional information.

Utility Connections

Making arrangements for utility and other services for your new home is a fairly simple process. A letter of credit or information about your former utility services may help you avoid paying deposits.

Electricity

Duke Energy  |  www.duke-energy.com  |  800.777.9898

ElectriCities (parts of Cornelius and Huntersville)  |  www.electricities.com  |  704.948.0550

EnergyUnited (parts of Cornelius)  |  www.energyunited.com  |  704.892.0278

Union Power Cooperative (serves several area counties)  |  www.union-power.com  |  800.922.6840

Pineville Electric Company  |  www.pinevillenc.net/utilities_ electric.html  |  704.889.2291

Water and Sewer

Mecklenburg County  |  311 or 704.336.7600

Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas  |  www.piedmontng.com  |  800.752.7504

PSNC Energy (Cornelius and Davidson)  |  www.psncenergy.com  |  877.776.2427

Telephone/Internet/TV

AT&T  |  www.att.com  |  888-757-6500

Pineville Telephone Company  |  www.pinevilledsl.net  |  704.889.2001

Time Warner Cable  |  www.timewarnercable.com  |  877-566-4TWC

Windstream (Matthews)  |  www.windstream.com  |  704.847.4828

Trash & Recycling

Charlotte CURB IT!  |  www.charmeck.org/Departments/Solid+Waste/CurbIt/home.htm  |  311

Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Recycling  |  www.charmeck.org/Departments/LUESA/Solid+Waste/Home.htm  |  311

BFI (Davidson)  |  704.393.6900

R.C.S. Inc (Mint Hill)  |  704.376.9359

Town of Matthews (in town limits)  |  704.847.3640

Town of Pineville  |  704.889.2291

Waste Management (Cornelius and Huntersville)  |  800.927.8362

The following companies provide residential recycling services for unincorporated areas of the county:
Allied Waste Services  |  704.393.6900
Republic/GDS of Charlotte  |  704.596.2077
Signature Waste Systems, Inc  |  704.714.9400
Waste Management  |  704.824.2011

Voter Registration

Mecklenburg County Board of Elections  |  www.meckboe.org  |  704.336.2133

You must be a resident for 30 days and must register to vote 30 days prior to the next election. North Carolina also provides for same-day registration during early voting, which typically is available for two weeks prior to an election.