Buncombe County, NC Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Installing synthetic turf on a typical lot is not restricted by a county ordinance. The catch is on steep-slope and watershed parcels: overlay rules cap disturbance and impervious surface, and graveled areas are explicitly counted toward impervious limits, so an extensive turf-and-gravel yard could push a hillside lot over its allowed coverage. On lots under 2 acres in the overlay, impervious surface is capped at 0.16 acres; on 2-acre-plus lots, 8% of lot size. Standard flat lots outside the overlays and watersheds have no turf-specific limit. HOAs may separately restrict or require turf appearance.