Protect Property Rights in Southport

Thank you for your interest in standing up for property rights in Southport. This page will be updated regularly with the latest news and actions you can take to protect our community and the Southport we love.

If you haven’t already, please make your voice heard.

Take Action Here

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

SCAN

the QR code to learn more about the issue.

CONTACT

your local elected officials today

ATTEND

the Oct. 6th Board of Aldermen Meeting & Oct. 14th Candidate Forum

Scan the QR code to Take Action

SCAN HERE

Why This Matters

For years, Southport homeowners have invested their time, care, and resources into improving and maintaining their properties. Now, those rights are under threat—from both selective enforcement of right-of-way rules and intrusive demands by the Historic Preservation Commission.
 
Here’s what’s happening:

Some City officials are targeting individual homeowners through selective enforcement of long-unenforced rights of way, forcing removal of fences and making threats against private property. At the same time, the Historic Preservation Commission is pushing for more restrictive and intrusive requirements through the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) process. These new demands will make it harder for homeowners to improve their own properties and will place unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles in the way of responsible ownership.

 
This is a property rights issue.

Should the City be able to target homeowners out of personal grievance? Should an unelected society decide what people can and can’t do on their own land? This is not the Southport we know and love.

It's also time to ask important questions.

It's also time to ask important questions.

  • How much of our local tax dollars are actually going toward code enforcement––on a per person basis?
  • How does that level of spending stack up against neighboring communities?
  • And exactly how much has the City already paid, and expects to pay, in attorney fees using taxpayer funds to defend property rights issues?

It’s time to act—before it’s too late.

It’s time to act—before it’s too late.

Voice your concerns at the next Board of Aldermen Meeting. Ask every candidate where they stand on protecting private property against unfair government action and private special-interest overreach. Demand real answers on property rights.

Demand that Southport leaders:

Demand that Southport leaders:

  • RESPECT and protect private property rights
  • APPLY all regulations fairly—not selectively
  • REJECT any policy that lets unelected groups or city officials take control of homeowners’ property decisions
  • GUARANTEE that no owner is targeted or threatened with intrusive, unnecessary requirements

Our homes and our community values are on the line. Stand up for fair treatment and property rights in Southport.

Take Action Now

Southport must remain a place where families feel safe investing in their homes and futures—not a place of government overreach and selective enforcement.
  • Attend upcoming meetings and make your voice heard.
  • Share this page with your neighbors and community.
Sign the Petition

Important Dates

BOARD OF
ALDERMEN MEETING

Monday, October 6
6:00 p.m.
Note new time

Location:

Southport Community Building
(223 E. Bay Street)

CANDIDATE
FORUM

Tuesday, October 14
6:00 p.m.

Location:

Southport Community Building
(223 E. Bay Street)

Frequently Asked Question

We came together to raise awareness about an issue currently affecting several Southport property owners — and that could affect many more in the future. Our mission is to give a voice to those who feel silenced. Many residents have been afraid to speak out, fearing retribution as the City selectively targets certain property owners over others.

Yes. Despite suggestions from some Board of Aldermen members, this campaign is local. It’s led by Southport residents with a vested interest in protecting our neighborhoods and our way of life. Individuals are going door-to-door and making phone calls to inform and activate neighbors. Claims of robo-calls are false — robo-calls in certain instances are illegal. What is happening is a grassroots effort to encourage residents to contact officials and share our collective concerns.

Certain Aldermen appear to be selectively enforcing rights-of-way, unfairly singling out property owners. In some cases, Aldermen have exempted themselves from regulations that other residents must follow. Some officials have even referred to neighbors as “those people,” creating an unnecessary us-vs.-them narrative that divides the community and undermines this as an issue of concern to all who care about their property rights.

While it may seem like this only affects a handful of people, selective enforcement today could spread to anyone tomorrow. If City leaders can pick and choose who to target, no property owner is safe from arbitrary treatment. Transparency and fairness should be the standard for everyone.Add Answer Here

Several Board of Aldermen members are up for re-election. Property rights must be a key issue in this campaign. Voters should ask: Who will treat all residents fairly? Who will defend our rights instead of targeting neighbors? Those are the leaders Southport needs. These are the leaders who will protect our property rights.

In some parts of Southport, rights-of-way stretch nearly 100 feet — in fact, some homes were built within those boundaries decades ago. For years, these right-of-way rules went unenforced. Now, the City is suddenly applying them to certain property owners while ignoring others. One neighbor may be cited while the house next door is left untouched. This selective enforcement is at the heart of our concern. It also facilitates retribution by those in power against property owners they may not like personally.

The Historic Preservation Commission is a separate but related concern. Its overlay rules limit what property owners can do with their homes, raising additional property rights issues. A petition opposing these regulations was signed by over 200 property owners. While distinct from the right-of-way issue, both raise questions about fairness and transparency. There is an on-going effort with this issue.

Now is the time to get involved. Ask candidates where they stand on property rights. Demand transparency from City officials. Speak out against selective enforcement and stand with neighbors who feel unfairly targeted. No one should fear retribution for raising their voice.

The City did propose a parking lot on E. Bay Street near Kingsley Park. Residents voiced strong opposition, questioning the need for more parking when current spaces go unused, and raising concerns about flooding risks to nearby private property. A petition was filed, and the proposal was debated at the June 2024 Board of Aldermen meeting.

For background, here are recent articles from The State Port Pilot:

Southport Citizens

— For Property Rights —

IMPORTANT UPDATE!

The Board of Aldermen’s meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, October 6, at 9:00 a.m., is now taking place at 6:00 p.m. Please plan to attend the meeting held at the Southport Community Building (223 E. Bay Street) on Monday, October 6th at 6:00 p.m. It’s important that your voice is heard. Also, please scroll down for FAQs.