Nash County, NC Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Chapter 22, Article II of the Nash County Code divides the county's public water supply watersheds into WS-III-BW (balance of watershed), WS-IV-CA (critical area) and WS-IV-PA (protected area). Section 22-97 sets the density and built-upon area ceiling for each. In the WS-III-BW, single-family lots are limited to two dwelling units per acre or 24 percent built-upon area, calculated project by project; all other residential and nonresidential development shares that same 24 percent cap, except that up to five percent of the watershed balance can be approved for nonresidential use at up to 70 percent built-upon area as a special nonresidential intensity allocation approved by the watershed administrator. The WS-IV-CA carries the identical 24 percent/two-unit ceiling. The WS-IV-PA allows a bonus for projects that skip curb-and-gutter streets: up to three dwelling units per acre or 36 percent built-upon area, instead of the standard two units or 24 percent.

Section 22-103 requires a watershed protection permit from the watershed administrator before any building or built-upon area is erected, moved, enlarged or altered, and before any building permit issues, except for a single-family residence on a lot deeded before December 20, 1993. Section 22-104 blocks issuance of a State Building Code permit until the watershed protection permit is in hand, and Section 22-105 bars occupancy of any erected, altered or moved building until the watershed administrator issues a separate watershed protection occupancy permit. An unused watershed protection permit expires twelve months after issuance.