What are the building setback requirements in Buncombe County, North Carolina?

Minimum building setbacks in Buncombe County are: front yard: 10-20 (varies by district and utilities) ft, side yard: 7-10 (varies by district and utilities) ft, rear yard: 15-20 (varies by district and utilities) ft. Requirements may vary by zoning district.

What are the fence height limits in Buncombe County?

Maximum fence heights in Buncombe County: 10 ft in front yards, 10 ft in rear yards.

How can I find my property lines in Buncombe County?

You can visualize your property boundaries using ParcelVision, an AR app that shows property lines on your iPhone. For legal purposes or before construction, hire a licensed surveyor.

Buncombe County, North Carolina Property Laws & Setbacks

Building Setbacks in Buncombe County

Setback requirements determine how far structures must be from property lines. These minimums apply to most residential construction in unincorporated Buncombe County.

Front Yard

10-20 (varies by district and utilities)

Side Yard

7-10 (varies by district and utilities)

Rear Yard

15-20 (varies by district and utilities)

Accessory Structures

30 ft

R-1 Residential: 10ft front/7ft side/15ft rear (with public sewer); 20ft front/10ft side/20ft rear (without public sewer). Accessory buildings adjacent to Blue Ridge Parkway require 30ft setback. Structures <320 sq ft and <15ft height have different standards. See Table 2 for all district variations.

Source: Table 2 - Dimensional Requirements; Sec. 78-636 (accessory buildings)

Fence Regulations in Buncombe County

Fence height limits and placement rules for Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Front Yard Max

10 ft

Rear Yard Max

10 ft

Side Yard Max

10 ft

Permit Required

Contact county

On property line: Contact county

Source: Structure definition - fences ten feet in height or less are exempt from setback requirements

See Your Property Lines in Buncombe County

Walk your land and see the boundaries appear in AR. Know exactly where setbacks apply.

Get ParcelVision

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from Buncombe County ordinances for reference only. Regulations vary by zoning district and may have changed. Contact the Buncombe County Planning Department for official guidance before building.

Last updated: May 2026