ADUs are allowed in SouthportTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Southport, NC
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Parcels
3,301
Zoning districts
15
Median Parcel Size
0.24 acres
Zoning Districts:
3,325 parcels · 15 districts
R-10
55%(1,841)
PUD
28%(947)
BD
6%(212)
MF
4%(123)
Other
6%(202)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Southport, NC?
Southport, NC follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: Special Permit
- –Detached ADU: Special Permit
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 800 sq ft
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum detached accessory dwelling unit size of 800 sq ft.
Max Units
- –Detached single-family lots: 1 ADU per lot.
- –Duplex, multifamily, or lots without a detached single-family dwelling: 0 ADUs per lot.
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner-occupancy is not required.
Parking
- –1 space/ADU; no max. Off-street parking per Sec. 3.14; no separate driveway; if on-site parking isn’t feasible, may be within 400 ft of the principal entrance; CBD requires full off-street parking.
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals (<30 days) prohibited for new ADU rentals in residential districts (R-10, R-20, MF); only pre-existing, legally nonconforming units may continue.
- –ADUs are ineligible for homestay permits and cannot be used for on-site owner-present short-term lodging.
ADU State Law
What can you build in North Carolina?
- –North Carolina does not have a statewide ADU mandate; ADU rules are set by individual municipalities.
- –Building/fire codes are set statewide, but whether an ADU is allowed is local zoning.
- –There is active proposed legislation (H627 / S495, "Regulation of Accessory Dwelling Units") that would create G.S. 160D-917 and require local governments to allow at least one ADU in certain single-family areas, but it is not enacted.
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
Check my propertyHow can we help you?
Get matched with trusted local builders
Understand what's allowed on your property
Learn the key rules and size limits for ADUs
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
ADU rules in other North Carolina municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Brunswick County