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Davidson County, NC Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing chapter
Ch. 152, Watershed Protection Ordinance
Applies within
designated Public Water Supply Watersheds only
Built-upon area cap
12%-24% (up to 70% under SNIA)
Stream buffer
50 feet along perennial waters
Permit required
Watershed Protection Permit before building permit
Civil penalty
$100 plus possible state penalty
Enforcing office
Watershed Administrator

Summary

Davidson County's Watershed Protection Ordinance (Ch. 152) governs stormwater runoff and land-disturbing development inside state-designated Public Water Supply Watersheds. It caps impervious built-upon area, requires a 50-foot vegetative buffer along perennial waters, and conditions any building activity on a Watershed Protection Permit from the county's Watershed Administrator.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Davidson County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a) WS-III Watershed Areas - Critical Area (WS-III-CA)...(2) Density and Built-Upon Limits. (a) Single Family Residential. Development shall not exceed one dwelling unit per one acre (40,000 square feet excluding roadway right-of-way) (b) All Other Residential and Non-Residential. Development shall not exceed 12% built-upon area on a project by project basis. § 152.28 BUFFER AREAS REQUIRED. (A) A minimum 50 foot vegetative buffer for development activities is required along all perennial waters indicated on the most recent versions of U.S.G.S 1:24,000 (7.5 Minute) scale topographic maps.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2024 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance passed 4-22-2024; and State legislation through 2023 North Carolina Legislative Service, Pamphlet No. 6).

Full Breakdown

C. 03). 26). 28). 33). No structure may be occupied until the Administrator also issues a Watershed Protection Occupancy Permit.

Violations & Fines

Violations may draw a civil penalty of $100 imposed by the Davidson County Governing Board, along with civil actions to restrain, correct or abate the violation or to prevent occupancy of the building or use of the land (§ 152.99(A)). The N.C. Environmental Management Commission may separately assess civil penalties under G.S. § 143-215.6A. The Watershed Administrator must first notify the responsible party in writing of the violation and the corrective action required; a contested ruling may be appealed to the Watershed Review Board (§ 152.99(B), § 152.60).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the watershed ordinance apply to my whole property in Davidson County?
Only if your land lies within an area the N.C. Environmental Management Commission has designated a Public Water Supply Watershed on the county's Watershed Protection Map, per § 152.03. Outside those mapped watersheds, this chapter does not apply.
How much of my lot can I cover with a driveway, house and other built-upon area?
It depends on the watershed classification. WS-III Critical Area non-residential and multi-family projects are capped at 12% built-upon area; Balance-of-Watershed areas allow 24%, or up to 70% on part of a tract under an approved Special Nonresidential Intensity Allocation, per § 152.26.
Do I need a permit before I start building in a watershed area?
Yes. Section 152.32 requires a Watershed Protection Permit from the Watershed Administrator before any building, built-upon area or land-use change, and no state building permit can issue under § 152.33 until that permit is granted, except for single-family homes on pre-existing deeded lots.
What happens if I violate the watershed buffer or built-upon limits?
The Watershed Administrator issues written notice of the violation and required corrective action; unresolved violations can lead to a $100 civil penalty from the county under § 152.99 and separate civil penalties the state may assess under G.S. § 143-215.6A.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Davidson County

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockFew RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsFlood ZonesSignificant RestrictionsFlood Elevation RequirementsSignificant RestrictionsErosion ControlSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All Davidson County rules

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