Cary's Land Development Ordinance (LDO) Chapter 4 regulates accessory dwelling units as a permitted accessory use in most residential zoning districts, subject to size and setback standards. Permits are issued by the Cary Inspections and Permits Department. Under NC General Statute 160D-1110, building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits are issued separately. Cary also requires zoning compliance review.
Cary regulates accessory dwelling units under the Land Development Ordinance (LDO), the town's consolidated zoning, subdivision, and site-plan code. LDO Chapter 4 (Use Regulations) and Chapter 7 (Development and Design Standards) govern accessory uses, including ADUs and accessory apartments. Detached and attached ADUs are typically permitted in residential districts (R-40, R-20, R-12, R-8, R-6, RMF, etc.) as accessory uses subject to dimensional standards in LDO Chapter 7 - lot coverage, setbacks (commonly 5-10 ft side/rear in single-family districts), maximum building height tied to the principal structure, and a cap on accessory-structure footprint relative to the principal dwelling. Plans are reviewed by Cary Planning for zoning compliance and by the Cary Inspections and Permits Department for code compliance. North Carolina General Statute 160D (Planning and Development Regulation, consolidated in 2020 by S.L. 2019-111) and NCGS 160D-1110 require building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits to be issued separately. Cary applies the 2018 NC Residential Code (Volume VII). Wake County tax records must be updated after issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Historic districts (Downtown Cary Historic Overlay) require additional review.
Unpermitted ADU construction triggers Stop Work Orders under NCGS 160D-1116, doubled permit fees, and required removal or after-the-fact permitting. Cary Code Enforcement civil penalties accrue daily for continued violations. A missing Certificate of Occupancy prevents legal occupancy and complicates resale.
Cary, NC
Cary regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound permits available for events. N.C.G.S. §14-288.4 applies to unreasonable disturbances.
Cary, NC
Cary Code of Ordinances Chapter 22, Division 2 prohibits unreasonably loud, disturbing noises that annoy, disturb, or endanger citizens. The ordinance restri...
Cary, NC
Cary regulates construction noise through its general noise ordinance (Chapter 22). Construction activity near residential areas should be confined to reason...
Cary, NC
Cary's noise ordinance covers barking dogs under the general prohibition on disturbing noises. Persistently barking dogs that disturb neighbors may result in...
Cary, NC
Cary's Land Development Ordinance restricts parking of RVs, boats, and trailers in residential areas. These vehicles typically must be stored in rear or side...
Cary, NC
Cary restricts parking of commercial vehicles in residential zones. Large commercial vehicles, semi-trucks, and heavy equipment may not be stored in resident...
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