While the city will continue to maintain its services, in a statement this afternoon it said in an effort to limit the impact of the COVID-19 virus in the community it has closed all its facilities to the public.
This decision was effective at 5 this evening and remains in effect until further notice.
Members of the public are asked to conduct business with the city by phone at 252-533-2800 or online at www.roanokerapidsnc.com
Examples of services that can be conducted online include the option to download permit applications — building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing — employment application and departmental information.
A collection drop-box is available in the foyer of city hall for deliveries, permit applications and payments by check-only — do not include cash.
“For immediate concerns, please call the intended department phone number listed so we may work with you on a solution for your operational needs,” the city said. “The city of Roanoke Rapids remains committed to providing all essential services at this time, and city officials will work to return to normal operating procedures as soon as possible.”
The magistrate’s office will remain open for business with public access.
Numbers to call with the exception of emergencies — call 911 — are:
Directory/Switchboard: 252-533-2800
City manager: 252-533-2840
Public Works: 252-533-2846
Planning: 252-533-2844
Parks and recreation: 252-533-2847
Police non-emergency: 252-533-2810
Fire department non-emergency Station 1: 252-533-2880 and Station 2 252-573-9032
Finance: 252-533-2841
Human resources: 252-533-2845
Main street: 252-533-2838
Planning department
While the city's offices are currently closed to the public, the planning and development Department will continue to perform permitting and inspection duties, as needed, with limited in-person contact. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Walk-ins must schedule an appointment. Appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes starting at 8:30 a.m. The last appointment will be 4 p.m.
Upon arrival, please call the office to confirm your appointment time.
Once confirmed, a staff member will meet with you at the permit office.
If you do not have an appointment, call 252-533-2844 to schedule.
If you currently have a permit and need to schedule an inspection, call 252-533-2844 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please allow up to 24 hours for a staff member to respond to you during regular business hours. Code enforcement activities — minimum housing, junk vehicles and zoning — are suspended except in cases involving life safety concerns. All complaints will be reviewed by staff to determine if a life safety concern exists. If not, the complaint will be tabled until activities are resumed.
The department will accept new applications and inspection requests, however, priority will be given to emergency repair projects.
Contractors and developers should conduct business with the department online or over the phone as much as possible to minimize in-person meetings with city staff.
Permits are available online at https://roanokerapidsnc.com/permits-applications.html and may be emailed to staff listed at the department webpage.
Applications may be sent and received by mail.
Permit applications can be submitted by email, fax, or a general-purpose drop box located in the foyer of city hall.
All documentation for the permit will also need to be submitted. This documentation will need to include all required construction plans, plot plans, lien agents and other drawings that would be associated with the permit.
If unknown, permit fees will be processed by staff and the applicant will be contacted within 48-hours.