TRAFFIC CONTROL PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS

Charlotte City Code ch. 14, art. IV, div. 3

in effect

Charlotte City Code § 14-186 Definitions.

Sec. 14-186. - Definitions. In addition to the definitions set forth in section 14-1, the following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: In operation means operating in good working condition. System location means the approach to an intersection toward which a photographic, video or electronic camera is directed and is in operation. Traffic control photographic system means an electronic system consisting of a photographic, video or electronic camera and a vehicle sensor installed to work in conjunction with an official traffic control and to automatically produce photographs, video or digital images of each vehicle violating a standard traffic control. Vehicle owner means the person identified by the state division of motor vehicles as the registered owner of a vehicle. (Code 1985, § 14-226)

Charlotte City Code § 14-187 Administration; citations for violations.

Sec. 14-187. - Administration; citations for violations. (a) The department shall administer the traffic control photographic program and shall maintain a list of system locations where traffic control photographic systems are installed. (b) Any citation for a violation of G.S. 20-158 issued by an officer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department at a system location shall be treated in the same manner as prescribed in this division. (c) The citation shall clearly state the manner in which the violation may be appealed. The citation shall be processed by city officials or agents and shall be forwarded by personal service or first class mail to the owner's address as given on the motor vehicle registration. (Code 1985, § 14-227)

Charlotte City Code § 14-188 Offense.

Sec. 14-188. - Offense. (a) It shall be unlawful for a vehicle to cross the stop line at a system location when the traffic signal for that vehicle's direction of travel is emitting a steady red light, or for a vehicle to violate any other traffic regulation specified in G.S. 20-158. (b) The owner of a vehicle shall be responsible for a violation unless the owner can furnish evidence that the vehicle was, at the time of the violation, in the care, custody, or control of another person. The owner of the vehicle shall not be responsible for the violation if the owner of the vehicle, within 30 days after notification of the violation, furnishes the officials or agents of the city either of the following: (1) An affidavit stating the name and address of the person or company who had the care, custody, and control of the vehicle; or (2) An affidavit stating that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen. The affidavit must be supported with evidence that supports the affidavit, including insurance or police report information. (c) Subsection (b) of this section shall not apply, and the registered owner of the vehicle shall not be responsible for the violation, if notification of the violation is given to the registered owner of the vehicle more than 90 days after the date of the violation. (d) For purpose of this division, notification of the violation shall be deemed to have to have been given on the date that the citation is issued. (Code 1985, § 14-228; Ord. No. 2343, § 1, 7-28-2003)

Charlotte City Code § 14-189 Penalty.

Sec. 14-189. - Penalty. A violation detected by a traffic control photographic system shall be deemed a noncriminal violation for which a civil penalty of $75.00 shall be assessed, and for which no points authorized by G.S. 20-16(c) shall be assigned to the owner or driver of the vehicle nor insurance points as authorized by G.S. 58-36-65. The owner of the vehicle shall be issued a citation which shall clearly state the manner in which the violation may be challenged, and the owner shall comply with the directions on the citation. The citation shall be processed by officials or agents of the city and shall be forwarded by personal service or first class mail to the address given on the motor vehicle registration. If the owner fails, within 30 days of notification of the violation, to pay the civil penalty, appeal the citation, or respond in accordance with section 14-188(b), the owner shall have waived the right to contest responsibility for the violation, and shall be assessed an additional civil penalty of $100.00. The city may establish procedures for the collection of these penalties and may enforce the penalties by civil action in the nature of debt. (Code 1985, § 14-229; Ord. No. 2343, § 2, 7-28-2003; Ord. No. 1171, § 1, 6-22-2026)

Charlotte City Code § 14-190 Appeals.

Sec. 14-190. - Appeals. A notice of appeal may be filed within 30 days after notification of the violation under this division and must be accompanied by an appeal bond in an amount equal to the civil penalty. Appeals shall be heard through an administrative process established by the city department of transportation, which process shall include the right to a quasi-judicial hearing. The hearing officer's decision is subject to review in the superior court of the county by proceedings in the nature of certiorari, which proceeding must be initiated within 30 days of issuance of the hearing officer's written decision. (Code 1985, § 14-230; Ord. No. 2343, § 3, 7-28-2003)

Source: City of Charlotte, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/charlotte/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH14MOVETR_ARTIVOPVE_DIV3TRCOPHSYFetched: 10/27/2026