North Carolina limits county zoning of bona fide farms under NCGS 160D-903, exempting most agricultural activities on qualifying farms from county zoning regulation.
NCGS 160D-903 (formerly 153A-340) exempts bona fide farm purposes from county zoning regulations on properties used for activities such as crop production, livestock, horticulture, aquaculture, and farm-related sales of products produced on the farm. A property qualifies as a bona fide farm if it has a farm sales tax exemption, present-use value classification, farmer identification number, agricultural assessment, or similar evidence. Cities retain authority to zone within municipal limits, but county zoning generally cannot prohibit qualifying farm activities. Voluntary Agricultural Districts under NCGS 106-735 add further notice and protection.
County zoning enforcement against bona fide farm activities is unauthorized; affected farmers may seek injunctive relief and challenge enforcement actions.
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem driveways require permits for new curb cuts and must meet UDO standards for width and paving material. Residential driveways limited to 24 feet...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem street parking is free in residential areas with 72-hour maximum stays. Downtown has metered parking with enforcement 8 AM to 6 PM Monday throu...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem defines abandoned vehicles as those parked on public streets over 72 hours or inoperative vehicles on private property. Police tag suspicious v...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem prohibits parking of commercial vehicles over 1 ton in residential zoning districts. Semi-trucks, dump trucks, and large delivery vehicles cann...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem is not in a designated high-severity wildfire zone, but wooded neighborhoods along Salem Creek, Muddy Creek, and the western edge near Pilot Mo...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem permits recreational fire pits under the NC Fire Code (Section 307) when fires are contained, attended, and set back at least 25 feet from stru...
See how Winston-Salem's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.