N.C. Gen. Stat. § § 95-224
Scope; powers and duties.
Operative Text
(a) The provisions of this Article shall apply to all operators and migrants except: (1) Any person who, in the ordinary course of that person's business, regularly provides housing on a commercial basis to the general public; and who provides housing to migrants of the same character and on the same or comparable terms and conditions as those provided to the general public; or (2) A housing unit owned by one or more of the occupants and occupied solely by a family unit. (b) The Commissioner shall have the following powers and duties under this Article: (1) To delegate to the Director the powers, duties, and responsibilities necessary to ensure safe and healthy migrant housing conditions. (2) To supervise the Director. (3) To issue preoccupancy certificates to certify that housing for migrant workers has been found to be in compliance with this Article. (4) To conduct postoccupancy inspections of migrant housing in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 95-226(g). (1989, c. 91, s. 2; 2007-548, s. 2.)
North Carolina General Statute § 95-224 establishes which housing arrangements fall under the state's migrant housing oversight framework and outlines the administrative authority responsible for enforcing it. The law covers operators who provide housing to migrant workers, but carves out exceptions for commercial lodging businesses that treat migrants the same as the general public, and for owner-occupied family dwellings. The Commissioner of Labor holds authority under this provision to delegate inspection duties, supervise the Director, issue preoccupancy compliance certificates, and conduct postoccupancy inspections of migrant housing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 95-224, operators who provide housing specifically for migrant workers—rather than as part of a general commercial lodging business open to the public on equal terms—are subject to the migrant housing article's requirements. Compliant operators typically obtain a preoccupancy certificate from the Commissioner before housing migrants, demonstrating that the facility meets the health and safety standards set out in the article. Operators should also be prepared for postoccupancy inspections conducted in accordance with the procedures referenced in this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 95-224 establishes that migrant workers housed by covered operators have the protection of North Carolina's migrant housing oversight system, which includes both preoccupancy certification and postoccupancy inspections. Migrant workers who believe their housing does not meet the health and safety standards contemplated by this article may have grounds to raise concerns through the North Carolina Department of Labor, which administers these provisions. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid groups familiar with agricultural and migrant worker housing can help individuals understand what protections apply to their situation and what general enforcement paths are available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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