The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO sets minimum yards by zoning district — for example RS9 requires a 20-ft front, 25-ft rear, and 7-ft one-side setback. RS7 requires 15-ft front, 20-ft rear, 5-ft side. No setback is required for twin homes; all other uses need at least five feet.
The joint UDO's General Dimensional Requirements table lists minimum front, rear, side, and combined-side setbacks for each residential zoning district, from the low-density YR/AG (45-ft front, 50-ft rear) down through the RS single-family series. Common single-family districts: RS20 (30/30/7), RS15 (25/25/7), RS12 (20/25/7), RS9 (20/25/7), RS7 (15/20/5). Note 4 to the table sets a floor: no setback is required for twin homes, and all other uses must be set back a minimum of five feet. Setbacks are measured from the applicable property or right-of-way line and are subject to additional UDO provisions.
Placing a structure inside a required yard is a UDO zoning violation; the county can deny or revoke permits and require a variance from the Board of Adjustment or relocation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Forsyth County's setback rules rules stack up against other locations.
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