Cabarrus County, NC Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum size
- 12 feet by 40 feet
- Overhead clearance
- 14 feet minimum
- Access rule
- One continuous maneuver, no backing in
- Minimum spaces
- 1 per loading/unloading access point
- Undetermined uses
- Zoning Administrator sets requirement case-by-case
- Chapter 10 amended
- October 15, 2018
- First citation fine
- $450, 15 days to correct
Summary
Every industrial and commercial building in unincorporated Cabarrus County must supply dedicated off-street loading space in addition to required parking, per County Code § 10-12. Each space must measure at least twelve feet by forty feet with fourteen feet of overhead clearance, be reachable in one continuous maneuver, and total at least one space per loading or unloading access point.
Section 10-12 Off-street loading space in addition to off-street parking space Requirements for off-street loading spaces are separate from off-street parking. Space designated for compliance with one cannot be claimed for the other and vice versa.
Section 10-13 Off-street loading space defined An off-street loading space must be a minimum of twelve (12) feet by forty (40) feet and an overhead clearance of fourteen (14) feet.
Section 10-14 Access to off-street loading space All loading spaces shall be designed so as to be used by means of one continuous maneuver. Backing motions into streets or rights-of-ways is prohibited.
Section 10-15 Minimum off-street loading requirements Each use shall provide at least one (1) space for each loading/unloading access point.
Full Breakdown
§ 10-15 sets the minimum count: each use must provide at least one loading space for every loading or unloading access point serving the site. Where a proposed use is not listed on the County's loading schedule, § 10-16 puts the call in the hands of the Zoning Administrator, who must weigh requirements for similar uses, the number and type of vehicles the use is likely to attract, and how other jurisdictions handle comparable loading demand. These standards apply countywide in the unincorporated area and are administered through the Planning and Development Department alongside the parking chapter's separate requirements, so a site plan that satisfies its parking count still has to clear loading independently before Cabarrus County issues a zoning or building permit. Chapter 10 was last amended October 15, 2018.
Violations & Fines
Cabarrus County enforces Development Ordinance violations, including noncompliant or missing loading space, under § 12-31. The County can order the illegal use, construction, or maintenance stopped, and issues civil citations on an escalating schedule: a warning citation with 30 days to correct, a $450 first citation, a $550 second citation, and $750 for a third or subsequent citation, each with 15 days to correct. A person adjudged in violation is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and the County can recover attorney's fees in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my required parking count toward loading space in Cabarrus County?
How big does an off-street loading space have to be?
Can a delivery truck back into the street to reach a loading dock?
What happens if my business type isn't listed in the loading table?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cabarrus County
Compare Cabarrus County to another location·View the North Carolina parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.