Business Licensing & Operations in Carteret County, NC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Carteret County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

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

Adult Entertainment

Adult establishments in unincorporated Carteret County may open only in the B-1 general business district and only with a special use permit under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3322. The use needs a minimum one-acre lot, 50-foot yard setbacks, and must sit at least one mile from another adult establishment, school, playground, or church, and 600 feet from residential property.

Carteret County Adult Business Permit & Spacing

Significant Restrictions

Carteret County Zoning Ordinance § 3322

3322. - Requirements for adult establishments as a special use. ... Adult establishments shall only be allowed in B-1 districts (general business district) subject to the issuance of a special use permit. The special use permit shall be issued only if all criteria established below are met.A.The minimum lot size for adult establishments shall be one acre. Structures shall have minimum front, si...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Unincorporated Carteret County will not permit vehicle repair as a home occupation. Section 1102 lists 'vehicle repair' alongside kennel, veterinarian, and wrecker services as uses that are not a home occupation, so a residential auto repair business cannot operate under the county's home-occupation rules.

Home-Based Auto Repair Ban, Carteret County

Heavy Restrictions

Carteret County Zoning Ordinance § 1102

Home occupation. An occupation, service, profession, or enterprise carried on by resident members of a family and not more than two non-resident employees. An accessory use of residential property that is clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal residential use of the property. Kennel, vehicle repair, veterinarian, and wrecker services are not a home occupation. A home occupation doe...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Carteret County ordinances

See every category we cover for Carteret County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Carteret County Ordinance Hub →