Accessory Structures in Guilford County, NC (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Guilford County allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot in the AG district, every residential zoning district and MXU, under UDO Subsec. 5.4.B. An ADU built inside the main house is capped at 25% of its heated floor area, a detached unit must sit at least 10 feet from the principal building, and no ADU is allowed on a lot that already holds a two-family or multi-family dwelling.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules in Guilford County
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Subsec. 5.4.B
B. ACCESSORY APARTMENTS / DWELLING UNITS (WHERE REQUIRED: AG, ALL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, MXU) 1. General Requirements: ...b. No more than one (1) accessory dwelling unit is permitted on the same lot with a principal dwelling unit. c. No accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted on the same zone lot with a two-family or multi-family dwelling. ...The detached accessory dwelling unit shall: Be er...
Shed & Carport Rules
In unincorporated Guilford County's RS-30 residential district, an accessory building 600 square feet or smaller gets a reduced 5-foot side and rear setback, larger sheds must meet the same 10-foot side and 30-foot rear yard as the house, and no accessory structure can be built inside a utility easement, under UDO Sections 4.2.3 and 4.8.
Accessory Building Rules in Guilford County
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO §§ 4.2.3, 4.8
Accessory Structures [3] Setbacks (ft.) Height (ft.) Same as above. Maximum See Section 4.8 Size (% of Floor Area) ... 3. If the accessory building is less than or equal to 600 square feet in area, side and rear setbacks may be reduced to five (5) ft. See Section 4.8 for additional requirements for Accessory Uses, Buildings, and Structures....
Tiny Homes
Guilford County treats tiny homes as a distinct land use only through a formal 'Tiny Housing Development,' permitted in the RM8, RM18 and RM26 districts under UDO Subsec. 5.4.C. A qualifying development needs at least 5 acres, runs 15 to 300 spaces, keeps every space 100 feet from rights-of-way and property lines, and may never sell tiny homes on a commercial basis inside the development.
Tiny Home Development Standards in Guilford County
Significant RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Subsec. 5.4.C
C. TINY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS (WHERE REQUIRED: RM8, RM18, RM26) 1. General Requirements: a. A tiny housing development shall be considered a group development and be subject to all procedures and standards of Subsec. 8 - Subdivisions & Infrastructure Standards. b. The sale of tiny homes in the development on a commercial basis shall not be permitted. 2. Minimum Tract Area: Five (5) acres. 3. Min...
Accessory Structures by City in Guilford County
2 cities in Guilford County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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