Animal Control
Animal control is enforced by the Clayton Police Department. Pickup and impoundment are handled by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). For general questions or to report a loose or barking dog or other animal nuisance, call the Police Department at 553-4611.
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Area
Clayton is located near two interstate highways: I-40 and I-95, on the western edge of Johnston County. Clayton is convenient to several major cities: Raleigh (15 minutes to the west); Research Triangle Park (30 minutes west); and Durham (35 minutes west) and is also close to the North Carolina mountains (approximately 3 hours) and the North Carolina beaches (approximately 2 hours).
Because of the soil and climate conditions in Clayton, agriculture is a mainstay of the community. Several research farms and laboratories have been established in the area because of Clayton’s proximity to North Carolina State University, the NC Department of Agriculture, and Research Triangle Park.
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Auto Licenses
See Driver’s Licenses
See also Vehicle Licenses & Registration
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Business Licenses
See Licenses & Permits
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Churches
Clayton’s many churches are an important part of the community. For a complete listing of churches in the Clayton area, see http://www.claytononline.com/community/churches.htm
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Civic Organizations
Many civic, fraternal, and service organizations are represented in Clayton. A list of organizations that welcome new members is online at http://www.claytononline.com/community/clayton_online_civic_organizatio.htm
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Climate
Average annual temperature of 61 degrees. The annual average rainfall is 48 inches and the annual average snowfall is 3.5 inches.
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Dogs
See Licenses & Permits
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Driver’s Licenses
In North Carolina, you must get a state driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency. Residents moving from out-of-state must take an eye exam and pass a written test. Residents moving within the state must report their new address in 60 days.
For more information, contact the Division of Motor Vehicles at 934-8707.
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Education
All schools in Johnston County operate under one public school system. The Johnston County school system is made up of 28 schools serving about 18,500 students from kindergarten through grade 12.

In the Clayton area, West Clayton Elementary, East Clayton Elementary and Cooper Elementary Schools serve grades K-5, the Clayton Middle School serves 6–8; and Clayton High School serves 9–12. All schools are accredited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges. For more information, call the Johnston County School Administrative Office in Smithfield at 934–6031.

Johnston Community College, located about 10 miles east of Clayton in Smithfield, is part of the North Carolina Community College system. It has an enrollment of approximately 4,000 and offers a wide variety of programs towards an Associates degree. The college also houses the Small Business Center for Johnston County. For more information, contact Johnston Community College at 919-934-3051.
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Fire Department
The Clayton Volunteer Fire Department provides fire prevention and fire suppression services to residents. Fire prevention programs and fire fighting are provided through special district taxes outside the Town limits and by Town and private contributions; no fees are charged. For emergency assistance call 911. For administrative questions, call 553-1577.  www.claytonfd.org.
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Garbage Collection
Garbage is collected once a week (Monday, Wednesday, or Friday) from roll-out containers placed curbside. Businesses which need a dumpster rather than a roll-out container must make arrangements for collection from the Public Works Dept. at 553-1530.

No yard waste should be placed in the roll-out containers. Limbs should be cut and bundled. Other yard waste (such as grass and shrubbery trimmings) should be bagged or boxed and placed at curbside.

The Town does not charge for repair or maintenance of containers which are worn or damaged by normal use; there is a charge for repair or replacement of containers that are lost or damaged by negligence or improper use.

For questions about the collection schedule in your neighborhood, to have a roll-out container delivered to a new home, or to request and make billing arrangements, call the Public Works Department at 553-1530.
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Government
Johnston County
Manager’s Office  919-989-5100
Johnston County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners elected from districts. The county employs a professional county manager who acts as the chief administrative officer.
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Clayton Town Hall
231 East Second Street
Clayton, NC 27520
919-553-5866

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday

Clayton has a Council-Manager form of government which consists of a mayor and five council members. The mayor and all council members are elected from the population at-large. The mayor’s term is two years; the council members serve staggered four-year terms.

The Clayton Town Council meets at Town Hall on the first and third Monday evenings of the month at 7:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.

Appointed boards made up of residents who volunteer their time and expertise meet as required. These include: Board of Adjustment, Planning Board, Downtown Development Association and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. If you are interested in serving as a member, contact the Town Clerk at 553-5002.
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Health Care
Johnston Memorial Hospital is a 180-bed primary hospital that has served the citizens of Johnston County since 1951. Located on Brightleaf Blvd. in Smithfield, the hospital today has 150 medical-surgical beds, a 10-bed intensive care unit, and 20 psychiatric beds.

The hospital sponsors a variety of activities that promote community education and well-being for all ages. Other agencies under the JMH umbrella include Johnston Memorial Home Care & Hospice, QuikMedTM, Urgent Care Center in Garner and satellite practices in Kenly and at McGees Crossroads. For more information about the hospital, call 919-934-8171 or write to: Johnston Memorial Hospital P.O. Box 1376 Smithfield, NC 27577.

The Johnston County Mental Health Center occupies a modern facility and is supported by federal, state, and county funds. The Center’s paid staff includes psychiatrists, social workers, clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, alcoholism counselors, and administrative personnel. The Center’s services include inpatient and outpatient care, partial hospitalization, emergency services, consultations, and educational programs.

Through clinics and home visits, the Johnston County Health department offers health services for infants, preschoolers, school children, and mothers. The department emphasizes the control and prevention of communicable diseases through sanitation, clinics, tuberculin testing, general immunization clinics, and health education. The Health Department conducts pap tests, venereal disease tests, breast checks, and limited laboratory services. They also keep records of births, deaths, and communicable diseases.

The Johnston County Health Department visits Clayton on Wednesdays of each month at the Civitan Building on McCullers Street. The building is open for children’s immunizations from 8:30 - 11:30 on 2nd & 4th Wednesday mornings. WIC pick-up is from 8:30-11:30 and 1:00 - 4:00 on the 2nd Wednesdays. WIC certifications are scheduled on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays by appointment only. For more information call the Health Department at 989-5200.
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History
The Town of Clayton was built on the road that was cut by Governor Tyrnn’s troops as they marched from New Bern to Hillsborough against the Regulators around 1770.

The community was first known as Stallings’ Station, a depot for the North Carolina Railroad in the home of Mrs. Sarah Stallings. The first post office was located just southeast of the present site, under the name of Gulley’s Store. On January 30, 1856, the name was officially changed to Clayton -named for a senator from Delaware.

The Town of Clayton was incorporated in 1869. Today it is a thriving community and the second largest town in Johnston County.
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Leaf Collection
See Garbage Collection
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Libraries
The Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library is located at 100 S. Church Street in Clayton. The library is owned and operated by the Town of Clayton and has an excellent collection of books, magazines, and news. Because of its affiliation with the Johnston County Library System and the North Carolina inter-Library Loan Program for films and books, any printed material can be obtained.

The Johnston County Public Library is located at 305 East Market Street in Smithfield and is open Mon., Tues. & Thurs. 9-9 pm; Wed. & Fri. 9-5:30 pm; and Sat. 9-5 pm. A bookmobile travels throughout the county each week. For more information, call 934-8146.
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Licenses, Fees and Permits
Building permits and Inspections are available through the Inspections Department located in the Clayton Operations Center at 653 Hwy. 42 W. This department conducts inspections to enforce state and local building codes.

Building permits are required for all new construction, renovation, and installation of accessory buildings or fences within the Town limits and in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), which extends one mile beyond the Town limits. For questions, or to schedule an inspection, call 553-1545.

Burning permits are required for burning trees, brush, or other material on newly cleared private property within the Town limits. No other burning is permitted; materials must be hauled to a landfill. For questions, or to apply for a permit, call the Fire Department at 553-5866; to have materials hauled away, call the Public Works office at 553-1530.

Fees are used to lessen the tax burden for services which benefit specific individuals and include: construction permit fees (for plan review and on-site inspections), and utility tap fees (for running service lines to the edge of an individual’s property). Fees are reviewed annually by the Town Council and are subject to change. For information on a specific fee, call the Operations Center at 553-1530.

Privilege licenses are required for most business operators under state law. Fees vary by type of business. Licenses may be obtained or renewed at the Finance Department in the Town Hall. For more information call the Finance Department at 553-5866.

Signs require permits and must meet Town ordinances with regard to size and location. For information, call the Planning Department at 553-5002.
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License Plates
See Vehicle Licenses and Registration.
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Media
Newspapers that serve Clayton include The Clayton News-Star, the Smithfield Herald and The News and Observer. The Clayton News-Star is a weekly community newspaper published every Tuesday with a paid circulation of 3,800. The News-Star also publishes a free shopper with a circulation of 6,800. The Smithfield Herald is the county-seat newspaper published bi-weekly with a circulation of 14,300. The Raleigh News and Observer is published every day with a circulation of 152,414).
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Parks
The Town of Clayton has several parks. Clayton Municipal Park on Stallings Street offers a volleyball court and horseshoe pits as well as a playground, basketball court, tennis court, ball field, and picnic/shelter area. Legend Field, located on City Road, provides a baseball, softball field. Front Street Park (located on Front Street) has a playground area and basketball court. Tennis courts are also located at Clayton High School.

Clemmons Educational State Forest is located on old Highway 70 West and offers nature trails, camping, hiking, and picnic facilities. The Talking Tree Trail features "talking trees," each with recorded messages about itself. A Forest Geology Trail with "talking rocks" explains the geology and soils of the forest. The Forest Demonstration Trail offers timely information and examples of actual forestry practices. Clemmons offers educational programs to schools and organized groups of 10 or more. The Forest Season is Mid–March to Mid–November and is closed on Mondays. For more information call 553–5651.
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Planning Department
The Planning Department (located in Town Hall) administers the land use and subdivision ordinances and investigates violations of the land use, subdivision, and Town code. The department processes all land use permit applications for consideration by the appropriate board, plans for the future development of the Town and oversees special projects such as Downtown Development and Highway 70 Beautification.
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Police Department
The Clayton Police Department patrols the Town 24 hours a day, enforces laws and ordinances, investigates crime, and provides community services including home and business security evaluations, Operation Identification, self-defense demonstrations, vacation home checks, and bicycle licensing. The Police Department is located 201 S. Barbour Street.

For emergency assistance or a uniformed response, call 911. For administrative questions, call 553-5866.
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Population
Clayton: 6,810
Johnston County: 101,651
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Public Utilities Department
The Public Utilities Department is responsible for maintenance of water and sewer systems, electric utilities, cemetery concerns and the sewage treatment plant. For assistance, call 553-1530.
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Public Works
The Public Works Department maintains Town streets, storm drainage systems, and Town buildings and vehicles. For more information or to report a problem, call 553-1530; for emergency assistance after business hours, call 553-4611.
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Recreation
The Clayton Parks and Recreation Department is financed by local taxes to promote recreation in the Town of Clayton and to assist civic, neighborhood, and service groups in their recreation needs and interests. The Parks and Recreation Department offers programs for children, adults, and senior citizens throughout the year. For information about these programs, call 553-1550. The 24-Hour Information Line is 553-1552. http://www.claytononline.com/recreation/index.htm

Clayton has a 18-hole golf course, the Neuse in Glen Laurel subdivision, and four other golf courses located just outside the city limits: Riverwood Golf Course (18-hole), Pine Hollow Golf Course (18-hole), River Ridge (18-hole) and Plantation Golf Club (9-hole).

Within a fifteen minute drive from Clayton is the ballpark for the MudCats minor league baseball team.

Jordan Lake, Falls Lake, Harris, Lake, and Kerr Lake are nearby for fishing, boating, and water skiing. The North Carolina coast offers salt-water fishing only two hours away from Clayton.
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Rescue Squad
Clayton Emergency Medical Services and Rescue Squad provides 24 -hour medical service, emergency rescue, emergency medical care, and emergency ambulance transportation to residents. For emergency assistance, call 911. For administrative questions, call 553-5493.
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Signs
See Licenses & Permits
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Taxes
Property taxes are assessed at the current tax rates for Town, County, and special districts (if any) on property owned on January 1 of each year, as listed by the taxpayer during the month of January each year. Property taxes become payable August 31 and are payable without penalty through January 5. After January 5, penalties and interest begin to accrue. The property tax rate for Johnston County is $0.84 per $100 valuation.

Annual property tax bills are payable to Johnston County by mail to: Johnston County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 451, Smithfield, NC 27577. You can pay in person at the Johnston County Tax Office in the Johnston County Courthouse, on Market Street in Smithfield.

The property tax rate for Clayton is $0.53 per $100 valuation. The Town of Clayton accepts payments by mail at P.O. Box 451, Smithfield, NC 27577.

For information on your property valuation, call the County Assessor’s Office at 989-5130.
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Transportation
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is approximately 40 minutes west of Clayton off of interstate 1- 40. The airport services seven major airlines with 240 departures daily.

The Johnston County Airport is located approximately 5 minutes east of Clayton. Its 4,400 foot runway and taxiways are paved and lighted. Charter service is available.

AMTRAK can be boarded in Selma or in Raleigh. Bus service is available from Smithfield and from Raleigh.
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Utilities
Cable television service for the Clayton area is provided by Time Warner Cable in Garner. Call 772-2553.

The Town of Clayton sells electricity to residents and businesses through its corporation. County residents are served by Carolina Power and Light Company. Natural gas is available in the Clayton area and is supplied by North Carolina Natural Gas Company.
Telephone service to Clayton is supplied by Sprint.
Water and sewer services in the Clayton area are provided by the Town of Clayton.
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