Accessory Structures in Cabarrus County, NC (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Cabarrus County allows one accessory dwelling unit per parcel in most residential and commercial districts, capped at fifty percent of the primary home's tax-card square footage, or twenty-five percent if attached to a commercial or industrial building, under Chapter 7, Section 7-3(1) of the Development Ordinance.
Cabarrus County Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsCabarrus County Code of Ordinances § 7-3(1)
a. Residential accessory dwelling units in the AO, CR, LDR, MDR and HDR districts shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the square footage of the base area of the primary structure (BAS) as listed on the Cabarrus County Tax Card. If sited as part of a commercial or industrial building, the accessory dwelling unit shall be incorporated into the overall building design and shall not exceed twent...
Shed & Carport Rules
In unincorporated Cabarrus County, an accessory building or shed up to 15 feet tall follows the same front and side setbacks as the house, but the rear setback drops to a minimum of five feet. Taller structures must meet full principal-building setbacks.
Cabarrus County Shed & Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsCabarrus County Code of Ordinances § 7-3, Item 1 (Accessory Building, Accessory Structure)
Accessory buildings up to 15 feet in height shall meet the front and side setback requirements of the principal structure. The rear setback shall be no less than five (5) feet. Buildings greater than 15 feet in height shall meet the principal building setbacks listed in Chapter 5. Accessory buildings shall be subject to all other dimensional, impermeable and structural coverage requirements lis...
Tiny Homes
In unincorporated Cabarrus County, a tiny home on wheels is classified as a Recreational Vehicle under the Development Ordinance, so it cannot be lived in or kept as an accessory dwelling on a residential lot except under two narrow exceptions in Section 6-20.
Tiny Homes on Wheels in Cabarrus County
Significant RestrictionsCabarrus County Code of Ordinances § 6-20
Section 6-20 Recreational Vehicles A. Storage on a Residential Parcel. A person may not store a Recreational Vehicle (RV) on a residential parcel unless the recreation vehicle meets the following requirements: 1. The RV is not used as a temporary or permanent dwelling or accessory to a dwelling. 2. The RV is not used to store any personal property unrelated to the Recreational Vehicle... 3. Th...
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