

ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated DareTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated Dare, NC
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Parcels
17,319
Zoning districts
75
Avg Parcel Value
$567,673
Median Parcel Size
0.36 acres
Zoning Districts:
17,343 parcels · 75 districts
S-1
22%(3,762)
R-1
20%(3,490)
R-4
12%(2,057)
R-2
5%(922)
Other
41%(7,112)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Unincorporated Dare, NC?
Unincorporated Dare, NC follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 1,200 sq ft (heated and non-heated) countywide
- –Maximum size of 50% of the primary dwelling’s floor area
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Detached ADU may be no larger than 50% of the floor area of the primary home
- –Detached ADU absolute maximum of 1,200 sq ft (heated and unheated space)
Max Units
- –1 ADU per lot with a principal dwelling unit
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner or family member must occupy either the primary residence or ADU
Parking
- –2 off-street spaces/ADU; max none; on-lot (not in ROW/easement); may count existing excess primary-dwelling spaces; permeable surfaces allowed; Wanchese/East Lake: 1 additional space/ADU per local standards
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals prohibited; long-term rentals permitted
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.
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ADU rules in other North Carolina municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Dare County