5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Forsyth County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO allows one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per lot, attached or detached, in districts that permit the principal single-family use. A detached ADU is capped at 1,000 square feet and 25 feet tall on a permanent foundation.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO, ADU provisions (UDO-CC15)
The size of a detached ADU would be limited to 70% of the total floor area of the principal structure, up to a maximum of 1,000 square feet. No matter the size of the principal structure, a detached ADU of 576 square feet would be allowed. A new detached ADU must meet a five-foot rear and side setback.
Detached sheds and other accessory structures are governed by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO's accessory-structure standards. They are permitted in required side and rear yards subject to a minimum setback (about 3 feet from side and rear lot lines) and yard-coverage limits.
You may convert an existing detached garage into an accessory dwelling unit, but the conversion must meet the UDO's ADU standards and the North Carolina Residential Code. Converting a garage into living space requires permits and dimensional compliance.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO-CC15 (ADU provisions)
ADUs can be created by converting a basement... or converting an existing accessory structure such as a detached garage.
A carport is treated as an accessory structure under the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO and must meet the same yard-placement, setback, and size limits as other detached accessory structures. Attached carports also count toward the principal structure's setbacks.
Forsyth County has no separate tiny-home ordinance. A permanent tiny house on a foundation is treated as a dwelling (or a detached ADU) under the UDO and NC Residential Code, while a tiny house on wheels (RV/trailer) may not be used as an ADU or permanent residence.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO-CC15 (ADU provisions)
Detached ADUs must be built upon a permanent foundation. The use of RVs and trailers as an ADU is prohibited.
1 cities in Forsyth County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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