The Wake County Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance in 2021 prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations and employment. It went into effect on Feb. 1, 2022, and applies only to the unincorporated areas of the county outside of city or town limits, unless a Wake County municipality independently adopts it.

Discrimination, as defined and covered in the ordinance, is any difference in the treatment of a person based on a Protected Class (race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, pregnancy, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, National Guard or veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age or disability). The alleged discrimination must take place within the jurisdictional limits of Wake County.

Wake County launched a portal for the community to report complaints HERE. Complaints must be filed within 90 days of the alleged discriminatory act. After the complaint is received, the County Manager’s Office will review the form for jurisdictional appropriateness and completeness with a recommendation for one of the following actions:

1. No further action based on lack of jurisdiction
2. Referral for further investigation with an opportunity for the parties to participate in conciliation to resolve the dispute at the Restorative Justice Clinic at Campbell Law School