Greensboro, NC Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

1 of the Land Development Ordinance governs sheds, detached garages, and other customary accessory structures citywide. On size, an accessory structure must stay clearly subordinate to the principal structure in every dimension, and in R- residential districts the combined building coverage of all accessory structures on a lot cannot exceed 50% of the principal structure's building coverage or 600 square feet, whichever number is greater. On placement, accessory structures on single-family lots must sit behind the front building line of the principal structure and cannot be located in a required street setback at all.

Interior setbacks require at least 3 feet of clearance from side and rear lot lines in residential districts, but that jumps to at least 10 feet once the accessory structure is taller than 15 feet, and structures along an alley must set back at least 10 feet from the alley right-of-way unless the Planning Director approves a reduction to 3 feet through a Type 1 Modification. Separation from other structures on the same lot is also regulated: accessory structures under 600 square feet must be at least 5 feet from any other structure, while larger accessory structures need at least 10 feet of separation.

Accessory structures cannot be placed in an easement unless expressly allowed, and they must meet the zoning district's regular height limit unless the ordinance modifies that elsewhere. These standards were last amended by Ordinance 21-076, effective June 15, 2021.