ADUs are allowed in CarrboroTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Carrboro, NC
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Parcels
6,473
Zoning districts
27
Avg Parcel Value
$656,740
Zoning Districts:
6,478 parcels · 27 districts
R20
24%(1,539)
R75
22%(1,413)
R10
20%(1,314)
R3
8%(516)
Other
26%(1,696)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Carrboro, NC?
Carrboro, 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 750 sq ft for an internal or attached accessory apartment
- –Maximum size of 25% of the building's gross floor area for an internal or attached accessory apartment
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 750 sq ft (ADU area excludes garage).
- –Maximum size of 50% of the primary residence’s gross floor area (excluding garage).
Max Units
- –1 ADU per lot for single-family with accessory apartment (attached/internal); 1 ADU per lot for single-family with accessory detached dwelling.
Parking
- –0 min townwide; max 2 per dwelling unit; in B-1(c/g)/B-2: 1 space per bedroom (max 2). ADUs follow residential per-DU standards; in single-family, garage spaces don't count toward max; conversions and near-transit rules apply; Part II overrides in B districts.
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.
Orange County