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Building Setbacks & Zoning in Nash County, NC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Nash County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

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

Setback Rules

Table 9-4-1 of Nash County's Unified Development Ordinance sets minimum building setbacks for every Agricultural and Residential zoning district in the unincorporated area, from a 25-foot road setback in R-6 up to 50 feet in A-1 and R-40. Side and rear setbacks tighten as lot sizes shrink, and corner lots owe a second, reduced setback on the street side.

Yard Setbacks by Zoning District, Nash County

Some Restrictions

Nash County Unified Development Ordinance § 9-4.1, Table 9-4-1

Districts A-1 R-40, RA-40 RA-30 R-30 R-20, RA-20 R-15, RA-15 R-10 R-6 ... Building Setback (Ft.) Road Right-of-Way 50 50 40 40 35 35 30 25 Side Property Line 2 15 15 15 15 12 12 10 10 Rear Property Line 30 30 30 30 25 25 20 20

Lot Coverage Limits

Land in Nash County's WS-III and WS-IV public water supply watersheds is capped at 24 percent built-upon area, or two dwelling units per acre for single-family lots, whichever standard the project chooses. WS-IV protected-area projects without curb and gutter streets get more room, up to 36 percent built-upon area or three units per acre. No building permit issues until the county's watershed administrator signs off.

Impervious Surface Limits in Nash County Watersheds

Some Restrictions

Nash County Code § 22-97

(a)WS-III watershed areas; balance of watershed (WS-III-BW). In order to maintain a low to moderate land use intensity pattern, single-family detached uses shall develop at a density of two dwelling units per acre or 24 percent built-upon area on a project-by-project basis. ... (2)Density and built-upon limits.a.Single-family residential: Development density shall be limited to either no more t...

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