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ADUs are allowed in Apex
Types:DetachedInternal

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Apex, NC

Is your property eligible for an ADU?

# of Properties
24,135
Owner-occupied
85%
Zoning districts
48
Avg Home Value
$666,039
Median Lot Size
0.19 acres
Avg Income
$148,770
Residential Types:
24,135 housing units
Single Family
99%
Other
1%
Zoning Districts:
26,955 parcels · 48 districts
PUD-CZ
39%(10,442)
MD-CU
12%(3,199)
MD
11%(3,088)
HD-SF-CU
9%(2,384)
Other
29%(7,842)

ADU Rules

What can you build in Apex, NC?

Apex, NC follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.

Detached ADU Size Limits

  • Maximum detached ADU size: outside the Small Town Character Overlay, 40% of the principal dwelling’s heated area; within the overlay, the smaller of 50% of the principal dwelling’s heated area or 1,000 sq ft.

Max Units

  • 1 ADU per single-family lot

Owner Occupancy

  • No on-site owner-occupancy required.

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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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.

Wake County