Davidson County, NC Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Typical residential height cap
- 35 feet
- Light Industrial height cap
- 50 feet
- Heavy Industrial height cap
- 125 feet
- Extra height setback rule
- 1 extra foot of setback per foot over cap
- Height exceptions
- Board of Adjustment appeal for towers, spires
- Stop-work violation
- Class 1 misdemeanor
Summary
In unincorporated Davidson County, the Zoning Ordinance's Table of Dimensional Requirements caps building height at 35 feet in most residential and commercial districts, 50 feet in Light Industrial and 125 feet in Heavy Industrial, and adds one extra foot of setback for every foot a building rises above that cap.
6) For every one (1) foot in additional height above the maximum shown, one (1) additional foot of front, rear and side setback must be provided in residential districts; one-half (1/2) an additional foot setback in non-residential districts. ... BUILDING HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the mean elevation of the proposed or completed finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the ridge lines of mansard roofs, and to mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
Full Breakdown
13's Table of Dimensional Requirements sets a maximum building height of 35 feet in RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RS, RM-1, RM-2, RC, CS, O/I, HC, MX-R and MX-C, rising to 50 feet in LI, 125 feet in HI, and 75 feet in PEC. Table Note 6 ties any increase above that number directly to setbacks: for every one foot in additional height above the maximum shown, one additional foot of front, rear and side setback must be provided in residential districts, and one-half an additional foot setback in non-residential districts.
Article IX defines Building Height as the vertical distance measured from the mean elevation of the proposed or completed finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the ridge lines of mansard roofs, and to mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs. 3 lets the Board of Adjustment modify the height limit on appeal for specific appurtenances such as church spires, chimneys, flagpoles, water towers and radio and television towers, but only after weighing whether the structure endangers neighboring occupants, harms the neighborhood or conflicts with the county's Airport Zoning Height Limitations.
Violations & Fines
A building raised above its district's height cap without an approved exception is a zoning violation under Article VIII; the Zoning Administrator can issue a stop work order, and violation of a stop work order constitutes a Class 1 misdemeanor. Civil penalties under Section VIII.5 run $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second, $100 for a third and $200 for each one after that, with every day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be built in unincorporated Davidson County?
Can a homeowner build higher than 35 feet?
What is the height limit for industrial buildings?
What happens if a structure is built taller than allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davidson County
Compare Davidson County to another location·View the North Carolina building setbacks & zoning overview
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