The Cabarrus County Development Ordinance is available online. The ordinance applies to all properties in unincorporated Cabarrus County. If your property is in one of the municipalities your regulations come from there. The same applies to the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) for one of the municipalities. You will need to visit those website for applicable development regulations.
GIS allows you to search property records by:
Basic information shows in the Property Data display. Scroll all the way to the bottom for jurisdiction and zoning information. The site also has various digital data displays. Access the data by clicking “Explore Data” at the top of the screen. Then use the radio button to toggle the data on and off.
Yes. A plot plan or diagram of your property with proposed improvements gets submitted. This visual shows the applicable standards for property development are achievable. All items get reviewed based on the plot plan and any other information submitted. These items includes:
Setbacks get determined from the existing or proposed road right-of-way for the property. Existing road right-of-ways are available on the GIS Site. You can measure them using the measuring tool. Proposed right-of-ways get identified in the Cabarrus Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization CTP Index. Be sure to check both these resources when designing your site. The right-of-way area typically extends beyond the paved area for existing roads. The edge of the pavement is rarely the edge of the right-of-way.
See the Septic System Site Evaluation tool for additional information.
Yes. The Development Ordinance establishes maximum impervious standards. These standards use the zoning designation as a basis. In some cases, the location of the property is the basis. See Chapter 5 for additional information. If located in the regulated watershed area, additional development standard apply. These standards exist related to the impervious area in Chapter 4.
Yes. The Development Ordinance establishes maximum height standards related to the property's zoning designation. See Chapter 5 for additional information.
Yes. Zoning permits confirm the proposed structures and site meet the applicable development standards. See Chapter 5 and Chapter 7 for additional information related to accessory structures. Sometimes the size of the structure dictates the need for a building permit.
Yes. Zoning permits confirm the structures meet the applicable setback and development standards. See Chapter 5 and Chapter 7 for additional information related to pools.
Maybe. The Ordinance includes allowances for accessory dwelling units. Constructing the unit accessory to an existing primary structure can be valid. This arrangement is only allowed upon meeting certain development standards. See Chapter 7 for additional information.
No. A permit is not required. There are height restrictions for fences depending on property placement. See Chapter 6 for additional information.
Zoning affects every structure and land use throughout Cabarrus County. “No structure shall be erected, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered. Nor shall any structure or land be used except in compliance with this ordinance. This includes both the general and any other applicable regulations of the ordinance.” Use of a property where the ordinance prohibits such use is a violation. It is also a violation when proper approvals have not been secured from the County.
Notice of Violation (NOV) means an ordinance violation was documented on your property. The NOV typically outlines steps for achieving compliance. It also includes contact information for the staff member processing the NOV. If you have questions about the NOV or how to achieve compliance, contact the named staff member.
Yes. Call complaints in to 704-920-2141.
No. Zoning staff only enforce the Development Ordinance. The Board of Commissioners adopted this ordinance.
Maybe. The zoning designation of the property determines home occupation permit eligibility. Home occupation permit liability is also governed by outlined development standards. Cabarrus County offers two different types of Home Occupation Permits:
See Chapter 7 of the Development Ordinance for information related to home occupations.
Cabarrus is a rural county. For this reason, it does not have a tall grass ordinance or tall grass regulations.
No. RVs are intended and constructed as temporary housing. Temporary occupancy of RVs is only permitted in designated areas. These areas include campground facilities or manufactured home parks with approved RV spaces.
No. Junk vehicles are not permitted in any zoning district. Junk vehicles are only allowed as part of a properly permitted business. Junk vehicles must be part of the business.