Building Setbacks & Zoning in Brunswick County, NC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Brunswick County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

For conventional single-family development in unincorporated Brunswick County, UDO Table 4-1 sets a 25-foot minimum front yard in every residential district, rear yards from 9 to 25 feet, and side yards from 5 to 10 feet depending on the RR, R-7500, R-6000, SBR-6000 or MR-3200 district, under UDO Section 4.3.3.B. Required yards must stay open and unobstructed under Section 4.14.4.

Brunswick County, NC Yard Setback Minimums

Some Restrictions

Brunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 4.3.3.B, Table 4-1

Yards (minimum feet) Front Yard 9 25 25 25 25 25 Rear Yard 9 25 9 9 9 20 Side yard (minimum feet) One Yard 4 10 5 5 5 5 Total (sum of both side yards) — 10 10 10 12 Street Side Yard 5 15 15 5 15 5 15 5 15 [columns, left to right: RR, R-7500, R-6000, SBR-6000, MR-3200 — Table 4-1 Conventional Single-Family Residential Development on a Single Lot]

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

In unincorporated Brunswick County, the Unified Development Ordinance caps conventional residential buildings at 40 feet in the RR, R-7500, R-6000 and SBR-6000 districts and 50 feet in MR-3200, measured from average finished grade to the roof's highest point under UDO Section 4.13.2. Any occupied structure over 40 feet needs fire marshal sign-off before a building permit issues.

Brunswick County, NC Residential Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Brunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 4.13.2

Height shall be measured from the average of the finished ground level to the highest point of the roof or structure. ... Any building or structure intended for human occupation exceeding 40 feet in height must obtain approval from the fire marshal prior to the issuance of a building permit. The fire marshal may stipulate special fire protection measures in accordance with National Fire Protect...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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