New to Edenton? Start here! Let this be the Town of Edenton's official guide for all new residents who seek information about the community and its services.
The Town of Edenton is on multiple social media platforms!
Our most popular and updated page is our Facebook page. Please follow or like our page to stay informed with issues and notices from across town.
We also have an Instagram page, X profile, YouTube page (for council meetings), and our Public Information Officer is on NextDoor in case of emergencies, so look for him there!
Applying for Service
If you are seeking to apply for electric and/or water services with the Town of Edenton, or relocate your utility account from another part of our service area, please visit our Service/Transfer Application page under the Billing & Collections tab of the Town Hall portal.
For businesses and industries seeking deposit info, please view the full utility deposit flyer.
| Electric Services Deposit | $250 - $500 |
| Water Services Deposit | $75 - $100 |
| Service Transfer Fee | $75 |
Important Note: If you had no prior services with the Town of Edenton, the deposits would be at the minimum rate.
We do not process bills and services for the Chowan County Water Department, that is a separate entity.
The service transfer fee applies only if you are relocating your account from one area in town to another.
Paying Your Bill
You can pay your bill online here on our website at our online payments page, or by clicking "Make a Payment" on our homepage.
You can also pay your bill in-person at Town Hall at 400 S Broad Street in downtown Edenton.
Utility bills are due by the last business day of each month. On the 3rd of the following month at 5:00 PM, a 5% penalty is added if your bill is unpaid, excluding holidays and weekends, then it will be the next business day at 5:00 PM. Disconnections can occur anytime after the 10th of the month, excluding Mondays, Fridays, weekends, and holidays.
The reconnect fee is $100 starting on the first business day following the 10th at 3 PM, monthly.
If you need assistance paying your bill, there are numerous resources available in the community. Visit our Billing page or look under the "Community" top menu for utility aid flyers.
Electric Rates
Our rates have remained unchanged with the new budget year (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025). The current rates for the Town of Edenton are as follows:
| Basic Customer Charge | $19.00 per billing month |
| Energy Charge | $0.11806 per kWh |
Monthly minimum shall not be less than the sum of A & B above.
For all non-residential rates (Large Power, Small General Service, Public Housing Authority, etc.), visit our Electric Rates page.
Water Rates
Our water rates have remained unchanged with the new budget year (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025). The current rates for the Town of Edenton are as follows:
| 0 - 1,000 gallons | $13.75 minimum |
| 2,000 - 10,000 gallons | $12.25/1,000 gallons |
| 11,000 - 40,000 gallons | $13.36/1,000 gallons |
| All over 40,000 gallons | $14.00/1,000 gallons |
Sewer Rates
Our sewer rates have also remain unchanged with the new budget year. The current rates for the Town of Edenton are as follows:
| Basic Charge | $12.50 plus $10.50/1,000 gallons of water used |
| Out-of-Town (County) | $18.95 plus $12.24/1,000 gallons of water used |
Tap Rates
| Water Tap (3/4 inch) | $1,700 |
| Water Tap (1 inch) | $2,000 |
| Water Tap (2 inch) | $3,000 |
| Sewer Tap (4 inch) | $1,500 |
| Sewer Tap (6 inch) | $1,700 |
| Sewer Tap (8 inch) | $2,500 |
Stormwater Fee
Monthly fee assessed to maintain and repair our stormwater infrastructure, which controls and mitigates freshwater flooding from rainfall.
| Residential | $3.60 |
| Commercial | $9.60 |
| Industrial | $15.00 |
Garbage Rates:
| (LWC) Large Waste Commercial | $96.00 |
| (SWC) Small Waste Commercial | $24.00 |
| (EHC) Housing Authority | $840.00 |
| (RWC) Residential Waste | $15.50 |
| (SWCR) Small Waste Commercial Restaurant (these customers do not have a dumpster and have multiple cans) | $67.20 |
| (DR4) 4 Yard Dumpster | $30 |
| (DR8) 8 Yard Dumpster | $67.20 |
Other Fees:
| Meter Testing | $60 per request of customer, if meter is found accurate |
| 2" Meter Rental Fee | $250, to be paid before install |
| Move Meter | $500 plus labor and materials, to be paid before moving |
Trash Collection Services
The Town of Edenton offers curbside trash collection for all residents within town limits. To purchase a bin, call Public Works at (252) 482-4111 or visit our Trash page for links to the form. Bins cost $67.43 currently. You can also request a purchase form at Town Hall, located at 400 S. Broad Street.
East side trash pickup (addresses east of Broad Street), takes place every Monday, not counting any holidays.
West side trash pickup (addresses west of Broad Street), takes place every Friday, not counting any holidays.
Changes to this trash schedule will be posted on the Trash page on our website and on social media, usually a few weeks in advance.
Dumpster services are also provided to businesses who utilize dumpsters. Contact Public Works for more information about that.
Yard Debris
Yard waste is picked up routinely throughout the week, not counting any holidays. Please DO NOT blow any grass, yard debris, leaves, branches, etc. into the street. Please place yard debris at the edge of the grass/property where it meets the street or curb.
Yard debris can wash into our storm drains and cause localized flooding in your neighborhood, harm waterways and cause algal blooms, allow bacteria and pests to grow, and cause hazards for cyclists, motorists and pedestrians. Placing debris in streets is against a town ordinance and after receiving warnings, you may be liable for a $50 fine.
Recycling
The Town of Edenton has resumed its curbside recycling program. Bins can be requested via the form on our Recycling page, by calling Public Works at (252) 482-4111, or visiting Town Hall for a form. Recycling bins are free and are reliant upon our current supply. We cannot guarantee we will always have a bin available at any given time.
Recycling pickup is every other Wednesday throughout the year, not counting any holidays. Visit the Recycling page to view the schedule, and keep up to date with social media for any changes or new schedules.
Special Collection Fees
| White Goods (fridges, freezers, etc) | $25 per item |
| Mattresses | $25 per mattress |
| Furniture | $25 per item |
| Yard Debris | $25 - $200 depending on size, quantity of load and equipment |
| Extra Dumpster Fee | $30 for more than the required dump per week |
New Businesses
Newcomer on the scene? Awesome! We are glad to have you. All new businesses are encouraged to keep a business registration form on file every year with our Town Planner.
We also encourage businesses to reach out to the Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce and get set up as a member for tons of great benefits!
Permitting & Zoning
For any questions regarding commercial zoning applications, sign or fence permits, rezoning requests to the Planning Board and the Town Council, and other business or property-related inquiries, contact Town Planner Dewayne Whealton at (252) 482-2155 ext. 182. You can visit our Planning Department page as well to locate any resources you may need. Our forms library is also available 24/7 online!
If your home or business is within Edenton's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), contact Town Planner Dewayne Whealton for guidance.
Unsure if you're in the Historic District? Check out the map!
For folks who live in the Edenton Historic District, there certain rules that apply to properties. The district is joined by a citizen board: the Edenton Preservation Commission (EPC). This board, with applicant members appointed by Town Council, makes decisions on property changes within the district. It could be something as simple as a fence or as complex as a new garage or entire home addition.
Visit the EPC's page here on our website to learn all about the district, the rules for homes and properties within the district, and other tidbits about historic preservation. For questions or inquiries about getting on the EPC's agenda for any property improvements or changes, contact Town Planner Dewayne Whealton at (252) 482-2155 ext. 182.
Edenton has been a Tree City USA for over forty years. We value our beautiful tree canopy and do our best to maintain it and expand it further, to encompass all parts of the community.
Sometimes, however, trees need to come down for safety issues, the health of the tree, etc. For that, refer to the tips below!
Trees in the Historic District
If you live in the Edenton Historic District and have a tree on your property that needs alterations or removal, please contact Town Planner Dewayne Whealton at (252) 482-2155 ext. 182 with your need and request to be placed on the Edenton Preservation Commission's (EPC) agenda.
Trees in the Right-of-Way
For trees in the Town of Edenton's right-of-way (the strip of grass between the sidewalk and the road, or the first few feet of grass if there is no sidewalk) or property owned by the Town of Edenton, please call Public Works at (252) 482-4111 and submit a request for our Landscape department to come out and inspect the tree in question. If it needs to be removed, it will be brought before the Tree Committee, which oversees Town-owned trees.
Trees not in the Historic District and not in the Right-of-Way
For all other trees that are not in the Historic District and not in Town-owned areas and are on your property, are considered the property owner's responsibility to maintain, remove, etc. at your own personal discretion. For any further questions, contact the Town Planner.
The Edenton Town Council convenes every second Tuesday and fourth Monday, monthly. Public comments are accepted at the monthly regular meeting (second Tuesday). Meetings are held at the Council Chambers (504 S. Broad Street) and begin promptly at 6 PM. The building is wheelchair-accessible and meetings can be viewed via Zoom.
For more details on the Town Council, their procedures, logging into Zoom, past minutes and agendas and the upcoming meeting schedule, visit the Town Council page.
For the full ward boundary map, click here.
Mayor
W. Hackney High Jr (term expires 2027)
Ward 1
Bob Turner (term expires 2027)
Ward 2
Sambo Dixon (term expires 2027)
Ward 3
Aaron Coston (term expires 2025)
Ward 4
Elton Bond (term expires 2025)
At-Large (entire area)
Craig Miller (term expires 2025)
Patrick Sellers (term expires 2027)
Voting
To register to vote in Chowan County, visit the Board of Elections office at 730 N. Granville Street, Suite D, at the Agriculture Extension building. Call them with any questions at (252) 482-4010. Please note that the Board of Elections is an entity and department of Chowan County, not of the Town of Edenton.
You will need a photo ID to vote, per North Carolina law. Early voting usually takes place at the Board of Elections office, whereas on Election Day, polling sites are set up as normal throughout Edenton and Chowan County.
For more information about voting in Chowan County, visit the Board of Elections' page.
DMV
There is one driver's license office in Edenton, located next to the Chowan County Public Safety Center at 307 West Freemason Street. Hours are 8 AM to 11:30 AM and 1 PM to 5 PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays. For questions, call them at (252) 482-8941.
There is one license plate office in Edenton, located at 557 Virginia Road (N.C. Highway 32), just past Wendy's and Feyer Ford as you travel northbound. Hours are 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday thru Friday. For questions, call them at (252) 482-2424. The office offers vehicle registration services and title transactions, as well as vehicle license plate renewals, replacement tags and duplicate registrations.
Online services are also available at www.MyNCDMV.gov.
Library
Edenton is fortunate to have a robust and thriving library right downtown! Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library, located at 106 West Water Street, is a hub of activities for children and adults alike. With numerous offerings of programming, a growing collection, a regional genealogy center and workspace for all, the library is a wonderful asset to Edenton and Chowan County.
Stop by and get a free library card to be able to check out books, movies, toys, computer time, and more.
Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library, a member of the Pettigrew Regional Library System, can be reached at (252) 482-4112.
Hours:
| Mondays: 10 AM to 7 PM |
| Tuesdays: 10 AM to 7 PM |
| Wednesdays: 10 AM to 5 PM |
| Thursdays: 10 AM to 7 PM |
| Fridays: 10 AM to 5 PM |
| Saturdays: 10 AM to 1 PM |
| Sundays: Closed |
Utility Services
The Town of Edenton supplies water services to customers within its town limits or nearby areas. Bills will be received from the Town of Edenton in the mail and can be viewed online as well.
Chowan County customers are supplied water from the county, and will receive the appropriate billing for that. Most addresses outside of town limits are on Chowan County water.
Electricity supplied to county residents is typically from Albemarle EMC or Dominion Energy.
There are some areas of the county that are supplied electricity by the Town of Edenton, mainly in communities along Soundside Road and Highway 32 south of town, a few miles north of town along Highway 32, west to the Chowan River Bridge, and south to the Albemarle Sound Bridge.
The Town of Edenton does not supply natural gas in any capacity.
Building Inspections
The Chowan County Building Inspections & Planning Office, located at 305 West Freemason Street in Edenton, works closely with our Town Planner on properties in Edenton or in Edenton's ETJ and can be reached at (252) 482-5618. This office inspects properties within town limits, the Town Planner does not perform building inspections typically.
Taxes
The Chowan County Tax Office is located at 305 West Freemason Street in Edenton, and can be reached at (252) 482-8487.
Register of Deeds
The county's Register of Deeds, an elected official, is located at the Chowan County Courthouse, at 101 South Broad Street in downtown Edenton. The office is a custodian of all vital records and real estate recording that are maintained and preserved. Archives and history material for real estate are dated back to the 1600's. Marriage licenses are dated as early as 1868. Birth and death records were not required to be recorded until 1913.
The Chowan County Register of Deeds office records the vital records of Chowan County. These include births, deaths, and marriages. Notary commissions and military discharges are also filed in this office.
All real estate documents filed in this office are considered public information. The office cannot assist you in completing documents or by performing a title search, as they are prohibited from unauthorized practice of law under the North Carolina General Statutes.
The office can be reached at (252) 482-2619.
Courthouse
The Chowan County Courthouse is located at 101 South Broad Street in downtown Edenton, not to be confused with the 1767 Historic Chowan County Courthouse on East King Street. The courthouse can be reached at (252) 368-5000.
Land Records
Chowan County's Land Records & GIS Office is located at 101 South Broad Street, within the Chowan County Courthouse, on the Register of Deeds side of the building. The office can be reached at (252) 482-7157.
Sheriff's Office & Animal Control
The Sheriff's Office, which patrols areas throughout Chowan County, is located at the Chowan County Public Safety Center, at 305 West Freemason Street in Edenton. The office can be reached at (252) 482-8484.
Animal Control can be reached at (252) 482-9807. All strays picked up by the Chowan County Animal Control Officers are taken to the Tri-County Animal Shelter located at 138 Icaria Road Tyner, NC 27980. Please contact their office at (252) 221-8514 if you believe your pet has been picked up by officers.
Report all emergencies to 911, and any after-hours non-emergencies and bites, aggressive animals or injured animals to Chowan County Central Communications at (252) 482-4444.
EMS
Chowan County provides EMS services to the whole county, including to Town of Edenton residents, as the town is within the county. The station in town can be reached at (252) 482-4365.
County Commissioners
The Chowan County Commissioners are elected to govern the county, which includes the Town of Edenton. While the commissioners cannot set ordinances and govern the town itself, they do preside over all citizens within the county and can set tax rates, schedule property re-evaluations, oversee county departments. Edenton residents can vote for commissioners who represent their districts.
For information about the commissioners and their scheduled meetings, visit the Board of Commissioners' webpage.
Public Schools
Chowan County is served by four fantastic schools: White Oak Elementary School, D.F. Walker Elementary School, Chowan Middle School, and John A. Holmes High School, as part of the Edenton-Chowan Public Schools district.
This district is overseen by Superintendent Tammi Ward, who answers to the Board of Education, elected by voters in Chowan County.
Parks & Recreation
Parks operated by the Town of Edenton can be found on our parks page, which also includes some park facilities owned by Chowan County but located within town limits.
Chowan County operates the Edenton-Chowan Recreation Department, which oversees youth sports and programming
The Town of Edenton maintains a noise ordinance within town limits. Please see the ordinance webpage linked here to learn more.
Rules and ordinances regarding pets and domesticated animals, leash laws, accepted dog breeds, rabies, livestock, and other animal issues within town limits can be found here.
Interested in learning about ongoing events and municipal schedules here in town? Check out the following two calendars:
Community Calendar
This calendar, provided by the team at Edenton This Week, gives folks an event schedule for the year in Edenton -- whether it be parades, sip & shops, street parties, concerts, special business sales, trivia nights, air shows, and more, this calendar has it all!
Muncipal Calendar
The Town of Edenton maintains a municipal calendar for all board meetings, holiday trash pickup schedules, town-hosted events and ceremonies, and other events of note to residents and customers.
The Public Information office handles numerous issues that may be relevant to residents, including weather updates, online notifications, alerts, publications, and more.
Hurricane Info
Before tropical systems move into the area, the Public Information office strives to share updates online and on social media pages (Town of Edenton on Facebook, @townofedenton on Instagram and X). Preparation tips and advice, as well as information for packing disaster kits can be found online as well.
Weather updates for events like severe weather outbreaks, coastal storms and winter storms can also be found under this office page.
Hyper-Reach
To subscribe to text alerts that can be localized and shared with residents across Edenton, sign up for our Hyper-Reach program. Phone calls may still be sent to landlines and businesses who are not subscribed, but you can sign up for your cellphone to receive calls and texts as well. There should be a Spanish option for our Spanish speakers!
Contacting the Town of Edenton
Want to reach us? Ask us a question or make a comment? Visit our Contact page and submit a request! Someone from our staff will be able to assist you and will respond as soon as we are able.
The Edenton Police Department is responsible for patrolling and responding to calls within the Town of Edenton limits. For emergencies, dial 911. For non-emergencies, call Chowan Central Communications at (252) 482-4444. The department itself can be reached at (252) 482-5144 or by visiting them at 301 N. Oakum Street.
A community crime map can be found here.
The Edenton Fire Department covers the southern section of Chowan County, including all of the Town of Edenton. For emergencies, dial 911. For non-emergencies, call Chowan Central Communications at (252) 482-4444. The department itself can be reached at (252) 482-3115 or by visiting them at 704 N. Broad Street.