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

2 rules for unincorporated Onslow County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

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

Setback Rules

Onslow County sets minimum front, side, and rear setbacks by zoning district in Table 8-1 for residential districts and Table 8-4 for non-residential districts, measured from the right-of-way or access easement line, with a 20-foot side-street setback required on corner lots.

Onslow County Yard Setback Minimums by Zone

Some Restrictions

Onslow County Code of Ordinances § 8.2, Table 8-1

Table 8-1—Residential District Dimensional Standards. Front Setback (Min. ft) 30 25 20 20 20 20. Side Setback (Min. ft) 8 8 8 8 5 5. Rear Setback (Min. ft) 15 15 15 15 15 15. Notes: 1. All front setbacks shall be measured from the right-of-way line or access easement. 2. Corner Lots shall have a side street setback of 20 feet and the applicant shall designate the front and side yards regardless...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

Every residential zoning district in Onslow County caps principal structure height at 45 feet under Table 8-1, while land within 10,000 feet of Albert J. Ellis Airport faces a separate 100-foot ceiling under the county's airport height limitation rule.

Onslow County Residential Structure Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Onslow County Code of Ordinances §§ 8.1(A)(1); 8.2, Table 8-1

AIRPORT HEIGHT LIMITATIONS 1. All structures within 10,000 feet of the Albert J. Ellis Airport Property shall have a height restriction of 100 feet. ... Structure Height (Max. ft) 45 45 45 45 45 45

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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