ADU rules in Buncombe County, NC — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Buncombe County's Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 78) does not create a dedicated ADU program; an accessory apartment is treated as an accessory building/structure and must meet the accessory-structure setbacks in Sec. 78-663 and the district's dimensional limits. A rented garage or basement apartment falls under the county's vacation-rental rules.
For the unincorporated county, Buncombe zones under NC Ch. 160D but does not spell out a standalone accessory-dwelling-unit ordinance in Chapter 78. A secondary living unit is regulated as an accessory building/structure: it must respect the side/rear setbacks in Sec. 78-663 and the height and lot standards of the underlying district (Sec. 78-642). The county's vacation-rental guidance expressly lists 'garage apartments' and 'basement apartments' as rentable housing units. Inside Asheville, Weaverville, Black Mountain and other towns, the town (not the county) sets ADU rules. Always confirm your parcel's zoning district before building.
Building an accessory unit without a zoning permit, or violating setbacks, is a zoning violation enforceable by the zoning administrator with permit denial and civil penalties.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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