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Harnett County, NC Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)

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

Key Facts

Minimum berth width
12 feet
Minimum berth length
55 feet
Minimum height clearance
15 feet
Retail/service berth ratio
1 per 20,000 sq ft
Industrial berth ratio
1 per 10,000 sq ft (first 30,000)
Waiver authority
Board of Adjustment

Summary

Businesses in unincorporated Harnett County must load and unload entirely on their own property, in a permanent loading berth at least 12 feet wide, 55 feet long, and with 15 feet of height clearance. Section 153.152(B) also sets a minimum number of berths by building size and use type.

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

(B) Off-street loading requirements. (1) All uses and establishments commenced hereafter shall provide off-street loading spaces sufficient to allow all loading and unloading of vehicles to take place entirely within the property lines of the premises. (2) The off-street loading space provided as required by this section shall be permanent space and shall not be used for any other purpose. (3) A loading space requirement may be waived by the Board of Adjustment on application due to a limited need for loading space based on the nature of the building. (4) Loading berths shall be designed... so as not to interfere with the free, normal movement of vehicles and pedestrians on public right(s)-of-way and shall have the following dimensions: (a) Minimum width of 12 feet; (b) Minimum length of 55 feet; and (c) Minimum height clearance of 15 feet.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-7: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through 11-18-2024; and State Legislation current through 2024 Legislative Service #2).

Full Breakdown

152(B) is the county's off-street loading standard for every use and establishment built after the ordinance's adoption. It requires enough off-street loading space to allow all loading and unloading of vehicles to happen entirely within the property lines of the premises, so trucks cannot block a public street or right-of-way to make a delivery. That space must be permanent and cannot be used for any other purpose, meaning a business cannot double it as customer parking. The Board of Adjustment can waive the loading-space requirement on application if the nature of the building creates only a limited need for loading.

Each required loading berth must be designed, along with its ingress and egress, so it does not interfere with the free, normal movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the public right-of-way, and it must meet minimum dimensions of 12 feet in width, 55 feet in length, and 15 feet of vertical clearance. The minimum number of berths scales with use and floor area: retail and service establishments need one berth per 20,000 square feet of gross floor area, with two or more adjoining smaller establishments treated as one for this purpose; office buildings, hotels, and institutional uses need one berth per 50,000 square feet; and industrial and wholesale establishments need one berth per 10,000 square feet up to the first 30,000 square feet of floor area, then one additional berth per 30,000 square feet beyond that.

Violations & Fines

Building or operating without the loading berths required by section 153.152(B), or using a required loading space for another purpose, is a zoning violation enforced under section 153.999: the Planning Department can issue a civil citation carrying a $100-per-day penalty until compliance, up to a $500 maximum civil penalty per violation, with unpaid penalties collectible as a civil debt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does a loading space have to be in Harnett County?
Section 153.152(B) requires each required off-street loading berth to be at least 12 feet wide, 55 feet long, and have 15 feet of vertical clearance, and it must be designed so it doesn't interfere with normal vehicle and pedestrian movement on the public right-of-way.
Can a business use its loading space for extra parking in Harnett County?
No. Section 153.152(B) requires the off-street loading space to be permanent and states it shall not be used for any other purpose, so it cannot be converted to customer or employee parking.
How many loading berths does a retail store need in Harnett County?
Section 153.152(B)(5)(a) requires one loading berth for every 20,000 square feet of gross floor area for retail and service establishments, with two or more adjoining smaller establishments below that threshold counted together as one.
Can the loading space requirement be waived?
Yes. Section 153.152(B)(3) allows the Board of Adjustment to waive the loading space requirement on application when the nature of the building means it has only a limited need for loading space.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Harnett County

All Harnett County rules

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