Davidson County

Living in an RV on your landRestricted

No district allows living in an RV. The only exception is a temporary permit for the owner after the home is damaged and cannot be occupied, with a building permit for repairs: 6 months, extendable up to 3 more months. There is no allowance for living in an RV while building a new home.

“occupation of a travel trailer/recreational vehicle in cases where the principal residential structure has been damaged to the extent that it cannot be occupied”

Art. VI development standards (I) Travel Trailer/Recreational Vehicle, Temporary Use (Disaster Hardship), read 2026-11-13

Confirm with Davidson County before you buy land or build.

Tiny house on wheelsRestricted

A towable unit up to 400 sq ft is a 'park model' manufactured home. The use table row 'Manufactured Home, Park Model (on individual lot)' has no district marked, so it is not permitted on an individual lot; park models are allowed only temporarily after a disaster (special use permit).

“MANUFACTURED HOME, PARK MODEL. A recreational park trailer of up to 400-square feet, constructed on chassis, designed for transient occupation.”

Art. IX definitions; Art. III Table of Permitted Uses, read 2026-11-13

Confirm with Davidson County before you buy land or build.

Small house on a foundationAllowed

Single-family dwellings are permitted by right in RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RS, RM-1 and RM-2. No minimum dwelling floor area was found in the zoning ordinance.

“DWELLING, SINGLE FAMILY. A detached building containing one dwelling unit.”

Art. III Table of Permitted Uses; Art. IX definitions, read 2026-11-13

State law: farm buildings outside town limits skip the building code (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-138(b4)).

State law: homes on 10+ acres in farm districts (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-903(b)).

State law: building permits (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-1110).

Confirm with Davidson County before you buy land or build.

ChickensAllowed

Keeping poultry is not listed by name. The Micro Farm standard treats farming on lots under 2 acres as an accessory use for private use; selling farm products as a Micro Farm needs at least 2 acres and is allowed with standards in RA-1, RA-2, RA-3 and other districts. No animal counts or setbacks were found.

“Farming activities on lots of less than two acres will be considered an accessory use for primarily private use”

Art. VI development standards (M) Micro Farm, read 2026-11-13

State law: real farms are exempt from county zoning (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-903(a), (a1)).

State law: right to farm (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-701(a)).

Confirm with Davidson County before you buy land or build.

Goats and livestockAllowed

The ordinance defines agriculture to include raising livestock and treats farming on lots under 2 acres as an accessory use for private use. Commercial farming that is not a bona fide farm (Micro Farm) needs 2 acres minimum and is allowed with standards in RA-1, RA-2, RA-3 and other districts. No animal counts or setbacks were found.

“Land or structures primarily used for cultivating soils, producing crops, or raising livestock”

Art. IX definitions (Agriculture); Art. VI (M) Micro Farm, read 2026-11-13

State law: real farms are exempt from county zoning (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-903(a), (a1)).

State law: right to farm (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-701(a)).

Confirm with Davidson County before you buy land or build.

BeesNot addressed

Searched the full ordinance for bees, hives, apiary and beekeeping; no match.

full text searched, read 2026-11-13

State law: real farms are exempt from county zoning (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-903(a), (a1)).

Confirm with Davidson County before you buy land or build.

Composting toiletNot addressed

Searched the full ordinance for compost, toilet and privy; the only toilet mention is in the definition of a self-contained travel trailer.

full text searched, read 2026-11-13

State law: composting toilets are allowed, but you still need a septic permit (15A NCAC 18E .1001 (eff. Oct. 1, 2021)).

Confirm with Davidson County before you buy land or build.