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Accessory dwelling units in High Point are regulated by the Development Ordinance. ADUs may be permitted in certain residential districts with restrictions on size, height, setbacks, and owner occupancy.
High Point regulates carports as accessory structures under Section 4.4 of the Development Ordinance. A residential accessory structure must be set back at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines (10 feet along an alley or rear lot abutting a street on through/reverse-frontage lots), must sit behind the front building line of the principal dwelling on lots under 2 acres, and the combined area of all accessory buildings cannot exceed 50 percent of the principal dwelling's gross floor area or 600 square feet, whichever is greater.
Sheds in High Point must comply with the Development Ordinance setback and size requirements. Small sheds under 120 square feet may not require a building permit but must meet placement requirements.
High Point regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound permits available for events. N.C.G.S. §14-288.4 applies to unreasonable disturbances.
High Point regulates construction noise in residential areas. Construction activities are generally limited to daytime hours, with work restricted during early morning, evening, and weekend hours in neighborhoods.
High Point addresses barking dogs under its animal control and public nuisance ordinances. Dogs that bark excessively and disturb neighbors can result in citations to the owner. High Point Animal Control investigates complaints.
High Point regulates noise under Title 12 of its Code of Ordinances, prohibiting unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace. The city enforces stricter noise standards during nighttime hours, generally between 11 PM and 7 AM in residential areas.
North Carolina prohibits local governments from regulating aircraft noise except through airport zoning compatible with federal law.
North Carolina protects established agricultural and industrial operations from nuisance suits through right-to-farm and zoning preservation laws.
Short-term rental guests in High Point must comply with the city's general noise ordinance. There are no STR-specific noise regulations, but excessive noise from rental properties can result in complaints and citations.
No STR-specific parking rules exist in High Point. Standard residential parking regulations apply, including prohibitions on parking on unimproved surfaces and blocking sidewalks or fire hydrants.
High Point's Development Ordinance does not impose a guests-per-bedroom cap on short-term rentals, but Section 4.4.5.M (Renting of Rooms) limits room rentals as accessory to a residential dwelling to a maximum of 2 tenants — renting to more than 2 tenants converts the use to a rooming house, which is regulated separately. Whole-home STRs fall back on the North Carolina State Building Code and Guilford County minimum housing standards rather than a city-imposed occupancy formula, consistent with NCGS 160D-1207(c) and Schroeder v. City of Wilmington (2022).
Neither the City of High Point nor the State of North Carolina requires short-term rental operators to carry a specific insurance policy. Hosts rely on their own homeowners or landlord coverage and platform programs (Airbnb AirCover, Vrbo Liability Insurance), and lenders, HOAs, or condominium associations may impose their own coverage minimums on top of those private contractual requirements.
High Point regulates short-term rentals through its Development Ordinance and zoning regulations. Operators must comply with zoning requirements and may need to obtain appropriate permits. North Carolina state law also requires collection of occupancy taxes.
Short-term rental operators in High Point must collect and remit the North Carolina state occupancy tax and the local room occupancy tax. Guilford County also levies an occupancy tax on short-term accommodations.
Property owners in High Point are responsible for trimming trees on their property. Trees must maintain clearance over sidewalks and streets and not obstruct traffic signs or signals.
High Point implements water conservation measures during drought conditions. The city may impose mandatory watering restrictions during water shortages, limiting outdoor irrigation to specific days and times.
High Point may require approval before removing certain trees, particularly in developments subject to landscaping requirements. The Development Ordinance includes tree preservation provisions for new construction.
High Point enforces a maximum vegetation height of 12 inches on residential properties. Overgrown grass, weeds, and vegetation are considered public nuisances subject to enforcement action.
North Carolina encourages rainwater harvesting and prohibits state agencies and local governments from imposing unreasonable barriers on residential collection systems.
Open burning in High Point is regulated by city ordinance and NC air quality rules. Open burning of yard waste is prohibited within the city limits. Burning permits are required for any authorized open burning.
Fireworks are restricted in High Point under North Carolina state law and city ordinance. Only certain consumer fireworks classified as novelties are legal. Aerial fireworks, firecrackers, and roman candles are prohibited without a permit.
Fire pits in High Point must comply with fire safety regulations. Recreational fires in approved containers are allowed with proper setbacks and supervision, but open ground fires are prohibited.
North Carolina vests statewide wildfire response and burn ban authority in the Commissioner of Agriculture and the State Forester, whose declared bans override local burn permits.
High Point regulates street parking throughout the city. Vehicles must not block traffic, driveways, fire hydrants, or crosswalks. Abandoned vehicles on streets are subject to towing.
High Point regulates the storage of recreational vehicles and boats on residential properties through its Development Ordinance. RVs and boats must be stored in approved locations and may not be used as dwellings.
High Point restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas. Heavy trucks, equipment, and oversized commercial vehicles should be stored in commercial or industrial zones.
High Point requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces. Parking on lawns or unimproved areas in residential neighborhoods is prohibited. Driveways must meet city standards for construction and materials.
North Carolina General Statute 20-137.7 and Chapter 160A-303.2 set the framework for declaring and removing abandoned, junked, or nuisance motor vehicles, defining minimum criteria municipalities must follow before towing or disposing of such vehicles.
High Point's Development Ordinance limits fence heights in residential zones. Front yard fences are typically limited to 4 feet, while side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet, with some exceptions for corner lots.
High Point does not typically require permits for standard residential fences under 6 feet. Fences exceeding height limits or in special districts may need a zoning permit or variance.
North Carolina law does not require neighbor consent to build a fence on your property. High Point property owners should ensure fences are placed on their own property. There is no mandatory fence cost-sharing law.
North Carolina enforces residential pool barrier rules through the state building code, applying uniformly across all jurisdictions.
North Carolina building code requires permits and engineering review for retaining walls over four feet in height.
High Point requires dogs to be on a leash or under direct control when off the owner's private property. Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment. Rabies vaccination is mandatory for all dogs and cats.
Beekeeping in High Point is subject to city regulations and NC state apiary laws. Hives must be managed responsibly with adequate water sources and setbacks. The NC Department of Agriculture registers and inspects apiaries.
High Point restricts the keeping of exotic and wild animals. North Carolina law requires permits for certain exotic species. Venomous reptiles and large predators are generally prohibited without state permits.
High Point regulates potentially dangerous dogs based on behavior rather than breed. Dogs that have attacked or behaved aggressively are subject to dangerous dog designation with specific confinement and insurance requirements.
North Carolina criminalizes animal cruelty under N.C.G.S. Chapter 14, Article 47, applying uniform statewide standards that prosecute neglect, hoarding, and inadequate care of animals.
North Carolina's Right to Farm Act limits nuisance lawsuits and local restrictions on bona fide farm operations, including livestock and poultry kept on qualifying farms statewide.
North Carolina regulates wildlife feeding through Wildlife Resources Commission rules, with statewide bear feeding restrictions and prohibitions on baiting that apply uniformly across all counties.
Home occupations are permitted in residential zones in High Point under the Development Ordinance. The business must be clearly incidental to the residential use and not change the character of the neighborhood.
Home-based businesses in High Point are not permitted to display exterior signage. The Development Ordinance prohibits any signs, advertisements, or displays related to home occupations that are visible from outside.
Home businesses in High Point must not generate customer or delivery traffic beyond normal residential levels. Businesses attracting regular customer visits should operate from a commercial location.
North Carolina exempts certain low-risk home-produced foods from inspection under N.C.G.S. 106-130 and Department of Agriculture rules, while still requiring labeling, ingredient compliance, and limits on what may be sold from a residential kitchen.
North Carolina General Statute 110-86 and Chapter 110 Article 7 require state licensure for any home caring for three or more unrelated children, preempting most local attempts to ban regulated family child care homes from residential zones.
High Point requires all swimming pools to have a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. The city follows the NC Building Code and International Residential Code requirements.
Swimming pools in High Point require a building permit and must meet NC Building Code safety standards. Inspections are required during and after construction for electrical, plumbing, and barrier compliance.
Above-ground pools in High Point must meet the same barrier and safety requirements as in-ground pools. Pools with walls at least 48 inches high may satisfy the barrier requirement if the ladder can be removed or locked.
North Carolina requires building permits for residential and commercial swimming pool construction under the State Building Code, with uniform standards enforced by local inspections departments.
High Point participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and regulates construction in FEMA flood zones. Development in Special Flood Hazard Areas requires floodplain development permits and elevation certificates.
The Coastal Area Management Act, N.C.G.S. 113A-100 through 113A-134.3, requires CAMA permits for development in 20 coastal counties and Areas of Environmental Concern, preempting local rules that conflict with state coastal protection standards.
The North Carolina Sedimentation Pollution Control Act, codified at N.C.G.S. 113A-50 through 113A-66, requires erosion and sediment control plans for land-disturbing activities exceeding one acre and applies statewide to public and private projects.
North Carolina General Statute 143-214.7 establishes the state stormwater program administered by the Department of Environmental Quality, setting minimum design and runoff standards that apply statewide and that local programs must meet or exceed.
North Carolina delegates setback rules to local governments but enforces minimum septic and floodplain setbacks statewide.
North Carolina sets statewide building height standards through the uniform building code with local zoning overlays.
North Carolina has not enacted a medical or recreational marijuana program, so dispensaries are prohibited under N.C.G.S. 90-95. No local government may license or zone for marijuana retail sales, regardless of zoning ordinance language.
North Carolina General Statute 90-95 classifies marijuana as a Schedule VI controlled substance and prohibits all cultivation, manufacture, and possession for non-medical purposes statewide, fully preempting any local attempt to authorize home growing.
North Carolina General Statute 63-95 requires commercial unmanned aircraft operators to obtain a state UAS Commercial Operator Permit from the NC Department of Transportation, in addition to FAA Part 107 certification, before flying for hire.
North Carolina General Statute 15A-300.1 and Chapter 63 Article 10 set statewide rules for unmanned aircraft, including a knowledge test, no-surveillance protections, and limits that preempt cities from imposing inconsistent recreational drone ordinances.
North Carolina preempts local minimum wage ordinances under NCGS 95-25.1, requiring employers statewide to follow the state and federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
North Carolina has no statewide paid sick leave mandate and preempts local governments from requiring paid leave or benefits from private employers under the state Wage and Hour Act.
North Carolina has no statewide predictive scheduling law and effectively preempts local fair workweek or predictive scheduling ordinances through its Wage and Hour Act framework.
North Carolina issues concealed handgun permits through county sheriffs under NCGS 14-415.10 and recognizes reciprocity with many states; permitless carry is not authorized statewide.
North Carolina preempts local governments from regulating firearms, ammunition, and concealed handgun permitting beyond what state law expressly allows under NCGS 14-409.40.
North Carolina generally permits open carry of handguns and long guns without a permit, but local discharge ordinances and posted-property restrictions may apply under state law.
North Carolina permits transporting firearms in a vehicle, but a handgun carried concealed within reach generally requires a concealed handgun permit under NCGS 14-269 and 14-415.10.
North Carolina requires private employers with 25 or more employees and all government employers to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm work authorization under NCGS 64-26.
North Carolina prohibits sanctuary policies under NCGS 153A-145.5 and 160A-205.2, requiring local governments to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and honor lawful immigration detainers.
North Carolina sets uniform statewide eviction procedures under Chapter 42, with no just-cause requirement, preempting most local tenant protection ordinances.
North Carolina law prohibits any city or county from enacting rent control ordinances on private residential property, preempting all local rent regulation.
North Carolina restricts cities from requiring residential rental registration, permits, or fees absent a specific qualifying public safety problem.
North Carolina limits county zoning of bona fide farms under NCGS 160D-903, exempting most agricultural activities on qualifying farms from county zoning regulation.
North Carolina protects established agricultural and forestry operations from nuisance lawsuits under NCGS 106-701, the Right to Farm Act, with strict limits on plaintiff eligibility and damages.
North Carolina has no statewide plastic bag ban or fee, and a former Outer Banks plastic bag ban was repealed in 2017, leaving most local bag regulation preempted in practice.
North Carolina has no statewide ban on polystyrene foam food containers and does not authorize local governments to ban expanded polystyrene packaging or food service ware.
North Carolina has no statewide ban on plastic straws and does not authorize local governments to ban single-use plastic straws or other utensils.
North Carolina's solar access statute N.C.G.S. 22B-20 voids most HOA covenants and deed restrictions that prohibit installation of solar collectors on detached single-family residences statewide.
North Carolina requires building and electrical permits for solar panel installations under the State Building Code, with uniform statewide technical standards and licensed contractor requirements.
North Carolina enforces a minimum age of 21 to purchase tobacco, vapor products, and e-cigarettes under NCGS 14-313, aligning with the federal Tobacco 21 law.
North Carolina has not enacted a statewide flavored tobacco or flavored vape ban, and NCGS 14-313 does not authorize local governments to ban flavored tobacco products.
North Carolina regulates retail sale of vapor products and e-cigarettes under NCGS 14-313, requiring age verification, licensure under NCGS 105-113, and compliance with federal Tobacco 21 standards.
Under North Carolina law, local heritage or champion tree protection ordinances are generally preempted unless backed by specific legislative authorization for that municipality.
North Carolina law generally prohibits cities and counties from regulating tree removal on private property unless specifically authorized by a local act of the General Assembly.
North Carolina preempts mandatory tree replacement ordinances on private property except where local governments hold specific legislative authorization or apply rules to public rights-of-way.