Landscaping Rules in Buncombe County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Buncombe County does not require a permit to remove trees on ordinary private property. The real county tree standards apply in the Steep Slope and Protected Ridge overlay districts, where required screening trees must stay within 50 feet of the downhill side of a structure and follow native-species and spacing
No General Tree-Removal Permit; Steep-Slope Screening Rules Apply
Some RestrictionsBuncombe County Protected Ridge & Steep Slope Overlays, Screening Plan standards
All trees must be within 50' of the downhill side of the structure, and must consist of varying, native species. No single species can comprise more than 50% of the plantings, and must be between 10' to 30' apart. Existing credit trees must be flagged to count.
Rainwater Harvesting
Buncombe County does not require rainwater harvesting, but its zoning code rewards it. A Community Oriented Development can earn 5 of up to 250 percent bonus density points by installing a rainwater or greywater cistern system, subject to county stormwater engineer sign-off.
Rainwater Collection Density Bonus in Buncombe County
Light RestrictionsBuncombe County Code Sec. 78-650(c)(1)a. (Community Oriented Development Density Table, Rainwater/greywater collection)
Rainwater/greywater collection 5 points for water collection systems Development incorporates the installation of either rainwater or greywater collection systems through the use of cistern reservoirs subject to review and approval of the county stormwater management engineer 5
Native Plants
Buncombe County does not require native landscaping on ordinary lots, but in the Steep Slope and Protected Ridge overlays, required screening trees must be native species with no single species exceeding 50% of the plantings. The county Cooperative Extension also promotes native, drought-tolerant plants.
Native Plantings Required for Steep-Slope Screening Trees
Some RestrictionsBuncombe County Protected Ridge & Steep Slope Overlays, Screening Plan standards
All trees must be within 50' of the downhill side of the structure, and must consist of varying, native species. No single species can comprise more than 50% of the plantings, and must be between 10' to 30' apart.
Artificial Turf
Buncombe County has no ordinance prohibiting artificial turf on residential property. In the Steep Slope and Protected Ridge overlays and in watersheds, however, ground cover counts toward built-upon/impervious-surface limits, so large turf or graveled areas can be regulated on steep or watershed lots.
No County Ban on Artificial Turf; Impervious Limits May Apply
Some RestrictionsBuncombe County Steep Slope / Protected Ridge Overlays, Disturbance & Impervious Limits
Site area disturbance: less than 2 acres, 0.3 acres max; 2+ acre lot, 15% of lot size max. Impervious surfaces (including graveled areas): less than 2 acres, 0.16 acres max; 2+ acre lot, 8% of lot size max.
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