Wake County UDO Article 5 sets minimum setbacks by zoning district. R-30 (1-acre residential) requires 50 ft front, 20 ft side, 30 ft rear. R-40 (½-acre residential): 40/15/25. R-80: 60/30/40. Cluster subdivisions may reduce setbacks via cluster development standards.
Wake County UDO §5-21 establishes residential zoning categories with these typical minimum setbacks for principal structures: R-80 (2-acre lots): 60 ft front, 30 ft side, 40 ft rear; R-40 (1-acre): 50 ft front, 25 ft side, 30 ft rear; R-30 (¾-acre): 40 ft front, 20 ft side, 25 ft rear. The Falls Lake Watershed has tighter standards. Accessory structures over 12 ft tall must meet principal-structure side setbacks. Fences are exempt from setbacks. Variances require Board of Adjustment approval — typical wait 60-90 days. Each Wake municipality has its own setback table; Raleigh, Cary, and Apex are all different.
Structure built in violation: stop-work order, civil penalty under UDO Art. 22, and possible removal order. Owner bears cost.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wake County.
See how other cities in Wake County handle setback rules.
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