Frequently Asked Questions
Please call Customer Service at (704) 629-5542 for more information or visit the BC Fact Check page.
Visit the Planning and Zoning page (here) and click on Permit Application Portal link.
Visit our employment opportunities page here.
Please contact Customer Service at (704) 629-5542
Visit this page for information related to City Council.
Economic Development can be many things, depending on where you are located. In Bessemer City, Economic Development is focused on the success of local businesses, business recruitment, and the opening of new businesses, no matter whether it is a fast food restaurant, an entrepreneur, or an industrial site.
Legally, no. We cannot force someone to do something with their buildings. However, we do offer grants that can help with the upfit of a building for businesses or help with creating a more inviting exterior (see next question/answer for additional details).
Yes! The Façade Grant (link) and Building Rehabilitation Grant (link) are both available for qualifying business and property owners. Applications can be submitted to abridges@bessemercity.com
Retail and Commercial companies (such as any fast food restaurant, a grocery store, a gas station, or even a retail store like Hobby Lobby) have demographic qualifications that must be met for them to come to any community. They look at demographics such as average age, median household income, population, median education level, and more. Additionally, they look at how close their other store locations are and if there is property available that could meet their needs. However, we do actively try to recruit new options to the area.
Yes! Bessemer City is a Main Street America Affiliate City and will be working towards becoming a Keep America Beautiful Affiliate as well. Both programs focus on the development, education, and beautification of our city. Every year, these organizations have competitive grant opportunities that the city may qualify for that will help reach the development, education, and beautification goals. If the city applies and is approved for a grant, the funding must be used on a qualifying project. The funds would not come from taxpayers.
In any emergency call 911 for non-emergency call 704-866-3300.
The Fire department covers the city limits of Bessemer City and assist
neighboring departments around the city.
A Knox Box is a secure key box installed on commercial properties to provide emergency access to firefighters. Many commercial buildings are required to have one. If you need to get one you can go to www.knoxbox.com to order one.
Come by or call the Fire Department at 704-629-5396, we can give you a hard
copy or email it to you.
Yes, we will install up to 2 smoke detectors per home within the city limits.
Every six months or a good time to remember is when you turn your clocks back.
Evacuate the home, do not use any electrical devices or flip and light switches and Call 911 immediately!
No, for foster home and building inspections contact the Fire Marshals Office at 704-866-3350.
No, we can not fill swimming pools or water tanks.
Call the Fire Department at 704-629-5396.
No we do not, however you can go to Gastonia Fire Department station 1 on Myrtle School Rd or Gaston EMS.
Check for low batteries, dust, or cooking smoke. If there is no sign of fire and the alarm continues to activate, contact the non-emergency number 704-866-3300. For emergency situations call 911.
Go to www.BessemerCity.com, Click Menu, hover over How do I… , and click Apply for Employment.
No, you can not burn anything in the city limits that the city provides a service to pick up.
Call the Fire Department at 704-629-5396.
The most common actions requiring a permit are:
- Establishing a new use/opening a business
- Food Trucks require a Temporary Use Permit that is Renewed Annually
- Family Care Homes
- Remodeling work that requires a permit from Gaston County
- Building a house
- Driveway construction
- Placing or replacing an outbuilding on your property
- Placing or replacing a fence
- Demolishing/removing any structure on a property
Follow this link https://bessemernc-energovpub.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/applicationAssistant?sectionName=All&showTemplates=false
You will need to create a profile, upload documents, and include both property owner information and contractor information. Our staff strives to review permits on a weekly basis. However, the Land Development Code gives staff 15 days to perform a completeness review, and 60 days to perform a compliance review. Staff recommends applying for a permit at least a month before it is needed.
You can look up zoning on Gaston County GIS. Follow the steps in the HOW TO LOOK UP ZONING document.
Follow the steps in the WHAT USES ARE ALLOWED ON THIS PROPERTY document.
You may apply for a variance via the Permit Portal. Please first refer to the Variance Guidelines. Read the document carefully. Then fill out the Variance Worksheet and upload it with your application. Please note that Variances cannot be granted for uses, that is illegal under North Carolina State Law.
If you feel the administrator has incorrectly interpreted the Land Development Code, you have thirty days from the date of the decision to file an appeal. You may file your application for appeal via the Permit Portal. Please fill out the Appeal Worksheet and upload it with your application.
If all created parcels meet the design criteria in the Bessemer City Land Development Code, then, yes. An official determination cannot be made without submission of a subdivision plat by a licensed surveyor.
The pool will open May 23rd, 2026. It is open 7 days a week from 1PM to 6PM. Pool reservations will open April 1st.
• 8‐ Hour Rental ‐ $1000.00 plus $250.00 refundable security/cleaning deposit for non-city residents.
• 8‐ Hour Rental ‐ $750.00 plus $250.00 refundable security/cleaning deposit for Bessemer City residents.
• General Liability Insurance-$100.00 (Visit website Gatherguard.com-VENUE ID CODE 0501-1544 Allan Farris Center)
• Each additional hour approved ‐ $100.00
Rentals are only offered in 8 hour increments. You do not need to use the entire 8 hours but it must be rented for that long.
Visit this page https://bessemercity.com/recreation-sports/ or call 704-629-5111 for more specific inquiries.
It is open from 7AM to 10PM.
It will be open on May 15th, 2026.
Any kind of disruption in the water lines can cause it to become dirty.
Yes, if you think the water isn’t, you can call the water plant and they will test it.
You can find information regarding all of our events for the year here: https://bessemercity.com/events/
Various factors such as filling up pools, faucet dripping, toilet running, or leaks in and or around the house.
Because you have a cleanout at property line.
We accept cash, check, money order, credit card, debit card, or ACH Draft.
Sewer bills are higher than water bills because treating wastewater is more complex, energy-intensive, and expensive than purifying drinking water.
We offer ACH draft at no cost. This is a preferred payment method as there is no charge, it is secure and convenient and eliminates late fees.
City Hall Annex, 125 E Virginia Avenue, Bessemer City, NC 28016
No, we do not accept payments over the phone for security reasons.
More energy efficient doors and windows
Better insulation
Run ceiling fans in reverse
Keep thermostat below 70
Keep all gas appliances serviced and maintained
City Hall Annex 704-629-5542
When you see colored paint or flags on your lawn, sidewalk, driveway, or nearby right-of- way in North Carolina, these marks are placed to identify the location of the underground utility lines in preparation of some kind of construction activity. They serve an important safety and legal purpose. NC State Law requires everyone doing construction activity to call 811 to notify all utility owners before digging.
- To prevent a dangerous utility strike.
- Colors follow a standard code.
- The paint is temporary.
Typically, a distinct and recognizable odorant is added to Natural Gas so that people detect and recognize it quickly. The smell of the odorant is often compared to rotten eggs.
Leave the area immediately to a safe location outside until the Gas Department/Fire Department declares the area is safe.
Call 911 if there is blowing gas.
Call Bessemer City at 704-629-5542 8 AM – 4:30 PM M-F, after hours call Gaston County Dispatcher at (704) 866-3300.
Do not strike a match, use telephones, operate engines or motors, or switch on or off any appliances, lights or even a flashlight in the area you smell gas. These items can produce sparks that might ignite the gas and cause an explosion.
Alert everyone on the premises.
Do not try to fix the pipe or slow the rate of leaking gas.
Do not try to extinguish a gas burning fire unless there is a threat to life.
Request a special check by calling 704-629-2235, the check will last for a maximum of 2 weeks, also let us know what cars and people should or shouldn’t be there.
Contact Gaston County Communications on their non-emergency line, 704-866-3300 and request Animal Control.
Toggle ContentHere’s a guide on the North Carolina Courts website: https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/housing/landlordtenant-issues
Check the North Carolina Judicial Branches website: https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/domestic-violence/how-to-get-a-protection-order