Building Setbacks & Zoning in Rutherford County, NC (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Rutherford County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In unincorporated Rutherford County, Section 907 of the county's Subdivision Regulations (Appendix B) sets the minimum building setback lines for lots in new subdivisions: 20 feet from the front street right-of-way, 15 feet from a side property line, 20 feet from the rear property line, and 20 feet from a side line abutting a street right-of-way.
Rutherford County Subdivision Setback Lines
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Code, Appendix B (Subdivision Regulations) § 907
Sec. 907. - Building setback lines. The minimum building setback lines shall be as follows: (1)Distance from front street right-of-way line: 20 feet.(2)Distance from side property line: 15 feet.(3)Distance from rear property line: 20 feet.(4)Distance form a side property line abutting a street right-of-way line: 20 feet.
Structure Height Limits
In unincorporated Rutherford County, the Airport Zoning Ordinance in Appendix A caps structure and tree height around Rutherford County Airport. The horizontal zone limits buildings and trees to 100 feet above airport elevation, 1,178 feet above mean sea level, and steeper approach and conical zones apply beyond that footprint, with height measured from ground to the highest point.
Airport zone height limits in unincorporated Rutherford County
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Code, Appendix A, Art. III, § 4
Sec. 4. - Airport zone height limitations. Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance, no structure shall be erected, altered or maintained, and no tree shall be allowed to grow in any zone created by this ordinance to a height in excess of the applicable height limit herein established for such zone. ... (4)Horizontal zone. Established at one hundred (100) feet above the airport elevation ...
Lot Coverage Limits
Inside the designated public water supply watershed of unincorporated Rutherford County, the Watershed Protection Ordinance caps how much of a lot can be covered. Single-family lots in the WS-IV critical and protected areas may not exceed two dwelling units per acre, and all other residential and non-residential development is held to 24 percent built-upon area.
Built-upon area limits in Rutherford County watersheds
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Code, Appendix A, Art. IV, § 302
Sec. 302. - Watershed areas described. (A)WS-IV Watershed Areas—Critical Area (WS-IV-CA). Only new development activities that require an erosion/sedimentation control plan under state law or approved local program are required to meet the provisions of this ordinance when located in a WS-IV watershed. In order to address a moderate to high land use intensity pattern, single-family residential ...
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