Nash County, NC Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Road setback, A-1/R-40
- 50 feet
- Road setback, R-6
- 25 feet
- Side setback, A-1 through R-30
- 15 feet
- Side setback, R-10/R-6
- 10 feet
- Rear setback, A-1 through R-30
- 30 feet
- Corner lot street-side setback
- Half the road right-of-way setback
Summary
Table 9-4-1 of Nash County's Unified Development Ordinance sets minimum building setbacks for every Agricultural and Residential zoning district in the unincorporated area, from a 25-foot road setback in R-6 up to 50 feet in A-1 and R-40. Side and rear setbacks tighten as lot sizes shrink, and corner lots owe a second, reduced setback on the street side.
Districts A-1 R-40, RA-40 RA-30 R-30 R-20, RA-20 R-15, RA-15 R-10 R-6 ... Building Setback (Ft.) Road Right-of-Way 50 50 40 40 35 35 30 25 Side Property Line 2 15 15 15 15 12 12 10 10 Rear Property Line 30 30 30 30 25 25 20 20
Full Breakdown
Table 9-4-1 governs the Agricultural (A-1) and Residential districts (R-40/RA-40, RA-30, R-30, R-20/RA-20, R-15/RA-15, R-10, R-6). The road right-of-way setback runs 50 feet in A-1 and R-40/RA-40, 40 feet in RA-30 and R-30, 35 feet in R-20/RA-20 and R-15/RA-15, 30 feet in R-10, and 25 feet in R-6. Side property line setbacks run 15 feet through R-30, drop to 12 feet in the R-20/R-15 districts, and fall to 10 feet in R-10 and R-6. Rear setbacks run 30 feet through R-30, 25 feet in R-20/R-15, and 20 feet in R-10 and R-6.
3. Corner lots owe a street-side setback equal to half the road right-of-way distance for that district, and through lots carry two road setbacks but no rear setback, per footnote 2 to Table 9-4-1. Footnote 1 warns that where public water or sewer isn't available, the Health Department can require a larger lot, and properties inside a watershed protection overlay district face additional minimum lot-area rules under Article XII § 12-1.
Violations & Fines
A structure built short of these setbacks is a 'use in violation' under UDO § 5-1.4 and a zoning-permit condition breach enforceable under Article V. The Zoning Administrator can withhold or revoke permits, issue a Notice of Violation, and assess a $100-per-day civil penalty under § 5-5.1 until the encroachment is corrected or a variance is granted by the Board of Adjustment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the front (road) setback in Nash County's R-6 district?
How are Nash County setbacks measured?
Do corner lots get a different setback?
What are the side and rear setbacks in the A-1 district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nash County
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