Setbacks depend on zoning district. In the RS-30 district, buildings need a 40-foot front setback on local/collector streets, a 10-foot side setback and a 30-foot rear yard; larger-lot RS-40 requires a 15-foot side and 30-foot rear setback.
The UDO sets dimensional standards per zoning district. In RS-30 Residential (Section 4.2.3), the minimum street setback is 40 feet front on local/collector streets, 45 feet on a minor thoroughfare and 50 feet on a major thoroughfare, with a 10-foot minimum side setback and a 30-foot rear yard. RS-40 Residential (Section 4.2.2) uses a 40-foot street setback, 15-foot side setback and 30-foot rear setback. Setbacks are measured from the right-of-way line or property line. Accessory buildings 600 square feet or smaller may reduce side and rear setbacks to 5 feet.
Building within a required setback without a variance violates the UDO and can block permit issuance or trigger enforcement by Guilford County Planning & Development.
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See how Guilford County's setback rules rules stack up against other locations.
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