Shed permit rules in Durham County, NC — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Under Durham's UDO, a shed is an accessory structure that must sit behind the front building line and at least five feet from the rear and side property lines. Height cannot exceed two stories and 32 feet, or the height of the main house.
Durham's joint City-County Unified Development Ordinance regulates sheds as accessory structures in Section 5.4.1, and the same rules cover both the City and unincorporated Durham County. An accessory structure associated with a single-family or duplex home must be located to the rear of the front building line, and on typical residential lots it must be set back at least five feet from the rear and side property lines. The maximum height may not exceed the greater of two stories and 32 feet, or the height of the primary structure. A building permit is generally required for larger sheds under the North Carolina Residential Code, though very small accessory buildings may be exempt from the permit itself while still meeting zoning
A shed placed inside a required setback, too tall, or in a front yard violates UDO Sec. 5.4.1 and is enforced by Durham City-County Planning. Remedies include correction notices, civil penalties, and orders to relocate or remove the structure.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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