Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

R6 front / side / rear
25 / 10 / 30 feet
R15 front / side / rear
30 / 10 / 35 feet
A1 front / side / rear
50 / 20 / 50 feet
Street centerline minimum
50 feet (front)
Code section
County ZO 1104; 1102 B

Summary

Setbacks in unincorporated Cumberland County are set by zoning district in the Section 1104 dimensional chart. In the common R6 residential district, the minimums are a 25-foot front yard, 10-foot side yard, and 30-foot rear yard, and no residence may sit within 50 feet of a street centerline.

City-specific rules exist: Fayetteville has its own setback rules rules that differ from Cumberland County's county-level regulations. If you live in Fayetteville, check the city-specific page instead.

In no case, however, shall any residential structure be placed closer than 50 feet from the centerline of a street on which it faces or within 40 feet from the centerline of a side street.

Full Breakdown

Cumberland County Zoning Ordinance Section 1104 (District Dimensional Provisions) lists minimum yard setbacks by district. Representative residential minimums: R6 - front 25', side 10', rear 30'; R7.5 - front 30', side 10', rear 35'; R15 - front 30', side 10', rear 35'; RR (Rural Residential) - front 30', side 15', rear 35'; A1 Agricultural - front 50', side 20', rear 50'. Section 1102 B adds that 'in no case... shall any residential structure be placed closer than 50 feet from the centerline of a street on which it faces or within 40 feet from the centerline of a side street.' Setbacks apply to unincorporated county land; Fayetteville and the towns use their own dimensional tables.

Violations & Fines

Building within a required setback without a variance from the Board of Adjustment is a zoning violation; a $500 civil penalty accrues $500 per day (Section 1704).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the setbacks in a typical Cumberland County residential zone?
In the R6 district, minimums are a 25-foot front yard, 10-foot side yard, and 30-foot rear yard, and each district has its own row in the Section 1104 chart.
Is there a minimum distance from the road?
Yes. Section 1102 B bars any residential structure from sitting closer than 50 feet from the centerline of the street it faces or 40 feet from a side street.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Cumberland County

All Cumberland County rules

Compare Cumberland County to another location·View the North Carolina building setbacks & zoning overview

Get notified when Setback Rules in Cumberland County, NC changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Setback Rules in Cities Across Cumberland County