Lake Waccamaw property owner hits permit roadblock over partially built fence

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A partially built fence obscures the view of Lake Waccamaw.  

 The property owner Samira Davis wanted this privacy fence to be completed by now and has run into some red tape. 

 Davis bought the property in 2022 and cleared the overgrowth, revealing the view of the lake.  

 With safety in mind, she wanted a fence. 

 “I would never have purchased this property if I couldn’t use it for my niece, my nephew, and my dog,” said Davis. 

 Shortly after clearing, people began to trespass, adding to the need for her privacy fence.  

When originally bought, Davis was told by the former zone officer she didn’t need any permits for her fence, and now the town has issued her a stop work order, protecting the new and improved view. 

“So, there was no view. So, the idea that the Town of Lake Waccamaw had a long-standing view here that needs to be protected is not true. I bought this in 2022, I cleared it all out because that’s what I was requested to do, and I was promised that I could have my privacy fence,” said Davis. 

Davis says had she known back then what she knows now, she would have never bought the property. 

“I said ‘well I don’t want to close on this if I need any permits to do any of this.'” 

However, the town says you do need permits. 

Town clerk Meredith Parker tells WWAY:  

“No construction permit was ever issued for the property in question. The violation of the current ordinance necessitated the issuance of a stop work order.”  

Davis feels the town’s shifting policies have fenced her in financially. 

“We had this view after I put all my savings on the line,” said Davis.