Apex, NC Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Apex UDO Sec. 5.1 sets the dimensional standards for every zoning district (updated August 12, 2025). For single-family dwellings: RA Rural Agricultural — 5 acres average lot size, 50 ft minimum lot width, 30 ft front, 15 ft side, 25 ft rear, 15 ft corner side, 36 ft max height, 50% maximum built-upon area, max density 0.2 units/acre; RR Rural Residential — 1 acre, 50 ft width, 40/15/25/15, 36 ft height, 50% BUA, 1 unit/acre; LD Low Density — 10,000 sq ft, 50 ft width, 25 ft front / 8 ft min and 20 ft total side / 25 ft rear / 18 ft corner side, 40 ft height, 60% BUA, 3 units/acre; MD Medium Density single-family — no average lot size but 50 ft width, 25 ft front / 6 ft min and 16 ft total side / 20 ft rear / 15 ft corner side, 40 ft height, 60% BUA, 6 units/acre; MD Duplexes — 15/6 min (16 total)/20/15, 36 ft height, 60% BUA, 6 units/acre; MD townhouses — 26 ft width, 10 min/15 max front, 3 ft side, 5 ft rear, 15 ft corner side; HDSF single-family — 40 ft width, 15/8/15/15, 36 ft height, 65% BUA, 8 units/acre; HDSF townhouses — 18 ft width, 15/0/15/15 with 8 ft aggregate between buildings; HDMF — 50 ft perimeter setbacks for multi-family/apartments at 14 units/acre; MH Manufactured Home — 25/8/25/15, 24 ft height, 65% BUA, 6 units/acre; MHP Mobile Home Park — 25 ft perimeter, 20 ft height, with interior setbacks 10 ft front / 6 ft side / 10 ft rear. Mixed Office-Residential-Retail (MORR): single-family 25 max front / 4 min and 15 total side / 10 rear / 15 corner. Small Town Character Overlay District (Sec. 5.1.5) single-family: 60 ft width, 20 ft front, 8 ft side (10 ft on side with driveway), 15 ft rear, 10 ft corner, 36 ft height, 50% BUA, 6 units/acre. Detached accessory structures (UDO Sec. 5.2.7): 5 ft minimum side and rear setback, must sit behind the principal building unless 60+ ft from front line, no more than 35% of required yard, 10 ft minimum from principal building, height max 5 ft above principal. Encroachments (Sec. 5.2.2.B.4): attached decks 50% into rear setback; unenclosed porches 50% into front or rear; cantilevers 6 ft into front/rear (3 ft minimum to line, no side encroachment); appurtenances (chimneys, eaves, bay windows, solar) 3 ft into any setback. Variances require Apex Board of Adjustment approval under UDO Article 2 and NCGS § 160D-705 with a hardship finding.