Winston-Salem limits impervious lot coverage to 35-50 percent in single-family residential zones depending on district. Coverage includes principal building, accessory structures, driveways, and patios. Higher coverage allowed with stormwater mitigation.
Winston-Salem UDO regulates maximum lot coverage to preserve stormwater infiltration and neighborhood character. Single-family residential zones typically permit 35 to 50 percent impervious coverage: RS-40 allows 25 percent, RS-20 allows 35 percent, RS-15 allows 40 percent, and RS-9 allows 45 to 50 percent. Coverage includes all buildings (house, garage, sheds), driveways, parking pads, patios, sidewalks, and pool decking. Pervious pavers and gravel may be counted at reduced percentages. Multi-family and commercial districts permit higher coverage, often 70 to 80 percent. Exceeding base coverage may be permitted through special use permits with enhanced stormwater management such as rain gardens, retention ponds, or underground detention. The Muddy Creek and Salem Creek watersheds have additional restrictions under water supply watershed rules.
Coverage violations: building permit denial, removal of excess impervious surface, civil penalties.
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem driveways require permits for new curb cuts and must meet UDO standards for width and paving material. Residential driveways limited to 24 feet...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem street parking is free in residential areas with 72-hour maximum stays. Downtown has metered parking with enforcement 8 AM to 6 PM Monday throu...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem defines abandoned vehicles as those parked on public streets over 72 hours or inoperative vehicles on private property. Police tag suspicious v...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem prohibits parking of commercial vehicles over 1 ton in residential zoning districts. Semi-trucks, dump trucks, and large delivery vehicles cann...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem is not in a designated high-severity wildfire zone, but wooded neighborhoods along Salem Creek, Muddy Creek, and the western edge near Pilot Mo...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem permits recreational fire pits under the NC Fire Code (Section 307) when fires are contained, attended, and set back at least 25 feet from stru...
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