County and Municipal Government in North Carolina, 2025 Edition

This reference book on North Carolina county and municipal government provides a comprehensive treatment of the legal foundations, organization, and the administration of the state's counties and cities. This book describes the legal framework and common administrative practices that are currently in use and explains what counties and cities in North Carolina do, and how they do it.

County and Municipal Government in North Carolina is designed to meet the needs of elected and appointed county and city board members and the employees who, on a day-to-day basis, carry out the functions mandated and authorized for North Carolina local governments. It will also appeal to citizens, civic leaders, high school and college students, state employees, legislators, members of the media, and any others who need basic information about the legal authority and responsibilities of North Carolina counties and cities.

This publication is available in print and digital versions. The digital version offers the following special features:

• Full-Text Keyword Search: Find the information you need quickly and easily, saving you valuable time and effort.
• Dynamic Cross-References: Navigate between related sections with ease.
• Footnote Options: Readily access relevant citations and additional contextual information by expanding the convenient inline footnotes.

You will have unlimited access to this digital publication until the next edition is published.

A preview of the table of contents and first chapter of this book will be available when the book is published.

Print Version

When you purchase the print version of this book, your credit card statement will show a charge to Longleaf Services, the School of Government’s fulfillment provider. Any questions about your purchase should be directed to Longleaf Services by emailing customerservice@longleafservices.org or by calling 800.848.6224.

Digital Version 

When you purchase the digital version of this book, your credit card statement will show a charge to Longleaf Services, the School of Government’s fulfillment provider. Any questions about your purchase should be directed to Longleaf Services by emailing customerservice@longleafservices.org or by calling 800.848.6224. 

Within fifteen minutes of your purchase, you will receive an email from the School of Government that provides a link and instructions to set up your digital account. If you do not receive an onboarding email within an hour of completing your purchase, or if you have any questions about accessing your digital version, please contact us at helpdesk@sog.unc.edu. Longleaf Services cannot assist with digital access issues.

Bulk Purchases

If you purchase more than one copy you will be contacted by the School of Government with information about how you can set up multiple accounts. Please note that if you make your purchase using a check or payment other than the shopping cart, you will not receive your account information until your payment has been processed. Customers who use the cart for multiple orders will be notified within 1-2 business days.